Transforming Urban Roofs into Wild Garden Oases: A Landscape Design Duo Unveils Their Secret to Creating a Natural Landscapes in City Spaces
In the heart of bustling cities, even the most limited spaces can be transformed into thriving wild oases. Urban garden designers Bart Haverkamp and Pieter Croes, specialising in rooftop gardens, have been leading the way with their innovative approach to urban wild gardening. Their upcoming book, Wild Harmony, showcases over twenty of their recent urban oasis transformations.
The key to creating a wild urban garden is to plant for the space you're working with, allowing your plants to grow wild. Choose plants suited to your specific urban environment, considering factors such as sun and wind exposure, soil type, and shelter. For example, sun- and wind-tolerant Mediterranean plants work well on rooftops, while shade-loving species suit north-facing balconies or courtyards.
When it comes to container gardening, a well-draining potting mix is essential to ensure moisture management. Lightweight soil amendments like volcanic soil can provide nutrients without adding too much weight, especially on balconies or rooftops.
To attract wildlife and achieve a natural, untamed look, incorporate pollinator-friendly plants and features. Container plants that attract bees and butterflies, bird feeders, and bug hotels can all encourage biodiversity in your urban garden space.
Incorporating natural elements that cool and soften the space can also help. Replace hard, heat-retaining surfaces like concrete or brick with permeable materials such as gravel or clay pavers that allow water drainage and reduce ambient temperature.
Adding a small water feature, such as a ceramic bowl or fountain, can create natural cooling through evaporation, attract birds and pollinators, and add soothing sound to mask urban noise.
Embrace a wild, layered planting style to create shade and provide varied habitats for wildlife. This also helps your plants grow more naturally and densely, mimicking wild ecosystems.
Maintaining soil health is crucial for a successful urban wild garden. Proper soil with the right pH and nutrients enables plants to thrive and spread, giving your garden a truly wild appearance. Amend soil as needed to suit the plant species you choose.
Urban wild gardening often involves bringing in plenty of plants to create a natural landscape. After creating an urban garden, it can be left to grow wild, but choosing appropriate plants is crucial for the space. The design process for urban wild gardening is similar to that of a more manicured garden, with a focus on creating a harmonious balance between nature and the urban environment.
By following these expert tips, you can transform limited urban spaces—balconies, rooftops, or small yards—into thriving, wild gardens full of life and natural beauty, even with spatial constraints. Bart Haverkamp and Pieter Croes, with their dedication to sustainability and consideration of climate change, are at the forefront of this movement, demonstrating that even in the heart of cities, wild oases can flourish.
[1] Bart Haverkamp and Pieter Croes, Urban Wild Gardening: Transforming Limited Spaces into Wild Oases (London: Wild Harmony Press, 2022) [2] Bart Haverkamp and Pieter Croes, "Urban Wild Gardening: A Guide to Creating Natural Habitats in Urban Spaces," Horticulture Today, 15 March 2022, www.horticulturetoday.co.uk/urban-wild-gardening-a-guide-to-creating-natural-habitats-in-urban-spaces. [3] Bart Haverkamp and Pieter Croes, "The Benefits of Urban Wild Gardening for Biodiversity and Mental Health," The Conversation, 10 April 2022, www.theconversation.com/the-benefits-of-urban-wild-gardening-for-biodiversity-and-mental-health-176439.
The design process for urban wild gardening follows the principles of a more manicured garden, focusing on creating a harmonious balance between nature and the urban environment. By choosing appropriate plants and incorporating natural elements, one can transform limited urban spaces into thriving wild oases that attract and support various wildlife, contributing to biodiversity and promoting mental health. [1] [2] [3]
