Gardening in the City

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Excerpt from: The City Gardener's Handbook, by Linda Yang (Storey)

"Leaky rooftop terraces...are hardly a modern phenomenon. Water seepage has plagued the upstairs gardener since the Hanging Gardens of Babylon--and that dates at least from the sixth century B.C....This 3-acre structure had seven landscaped levels that rose to a height of 75 feet.

Leaks were controlled with an elaborate waterproofing membrane that included layers of papyrus mixed with asphalt....(But) let's get one thing straight. Contrary to what building managers say, plants do not cause leaks....Most leaks seem to be...the result of poor workmanship, poor quality roofing materials or improperly installed weatherproofing compounds or flashing."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

Resources
The City Gardener's Handbook: The Definitive Guide to Small-Space Gardening
by Linda Yang (ISBN: 1580174493)
(Storey Books, March 2002)
Order this title.