There are many postnature pioniers trailblazing the path to reintroducing nature, plants and fortresses of phytoremdiation to the urban jungle of New York City. Finally, after a season of dreaming, research and meetings, I’ve started the groundbreaking of a modest rooftop garden on top of 319 Scholes, a site that was once home to bucolic Bushwick or (“Boswijck,” meaning “little town in the woods”). Now a desolate urban landscape in the height (or edge) of its decay even as the neighborhood begins its new chapter of gentrification into the “new” Williamsburg, Bushwick lends itself perfectly to fantasies of urban permaculture. The site is 4500 (square feet) or a tenth of an acre of prime rooftop wilderness.

Rooftops are hot. And bright. And um, kinda desolate. In an August of Bushwick, they are plenty of both. The perfect place for a post-industrial oasis. Eager to get started, I purchased some plants and placed them roofside and even with some rain and watering, the poor plants began to wither in the intense climes of the silver painted rooftop. Time to setup some SIP (sub-irrigated planters) to save the plants from turning into charcoal. I was quite inspired by a visit to a truly amazing rooftop mirco-farm in Gowanus, both practical and fruitful, when I visited Frieda Lim’s Slippery Slop Farm last summer. There, I had a chance to talk with Bob Hyland, “urban food innovator and blogger known as “greenscaper” who advocates sub-irrigation planters as the modern way to grow food in the city.” The trip changed my whole outlook on urban gardening and made me realize the dream was both possible and productive.

The main ingredient we’re using, both Ultra-Lightweight and Eco-Friendly, is  GaiaSoil for Green Roofs.  It is non-toxic recycled expanded polystyrene foam coated with an organic pectin, and mixed with high-quality finished compost.   Pretty cool stuff although the bag we got ways a veritable ton.