Cleome grows on the SE corner of the main roof. Cleome is an easy plant to grow because it can withstand harsh environments and reseeds itself like an invasive weed. Although I had to buy Cleome seedlings this year, next year I’ll probably get Cleome for free.
Category Archives: Main Roof
Baby’s breath in debris clump
This year I cheated and seeded some debris clumps with wildflower seeds. In past years I let even the most obnoxious weed grow in them to see what survives in that environment. I’m watering these more this year to see what effect that has on their diversity. Today a baby’s breath pops out of one of the debris clumps. Lost island is out of focus and in the background — as well as my neighbor’s third floor deck.
Tomato patch after a long hot day
Today was hot. This picture was taken in the evening after the sun went behind some trees. The tomatoes look OK. Notice how big that debris clump is getting. I’ll have to weigh it this week. I estimate less than 5lb/sqft dry and maybe 10lb/sqft wet. This kind of dead weight should be OK on the roof in the center without any structural reinforcements.
Cleome and Curry
Cleome and curry grow where my tomatoes have grown and failed for the last four years.
Debris Clump Lost
Lost Island
I call this debris clump Lost Island. This debris clump includes old habenero plant skeletons. If vines grow they’ll be able to use those skeletons. We’ll see more of this as the season progesses as well as why it reminds me of the island on Lost.
NorthEast corner Main roof
NE Corner
This eight foot box holds 4 cucumbers, 8 habeneros, 2 Cleome and some snapdragons. The snapdragons growing out the side of the box are volunteers from many years ago when this box supported snapdragons. The box resides on the northeast corner of the main roof.
Another Debris Clump
Year old debri clump
This debris clump is in its second year. We will see more of this and its sister grow into one giant clump as the season progesses.
Debris Clump
Debris Clump
During spring planting there are a lot of old plants and debris from the previous year. Some of this debris collects in piles and I let whatever plant can survive in that pile grow. This clump I cheated and seeded it with wildflowers but am happy to see them grow. I have been watering these clumps more this year than in past. More on clumps later.
Cleome and Cucmbers
Southeast corner of main roof. Cleome can grow into a monster plant and this year I decided to grow it on the main roof. Cleome might be the reason why I see more bees that could have led to increased flowering in the tomato plants.
tomato patch
Tomato patch on 7/13/2011. Tomatoes look good this year on the north side of the roof.