In this book, the authors issue a call to green up our neighborhoods. Garages, bicycle shelters, car ports, porches, barns, and home extensions are perfect locations for green roofs, and even a small green roof will soak up excess rainfall, provide insulation, attract wildlife, and maybe even improve an ugly view. The book contains forty-two case studies that provide first-hand testimony from planning through maintenance. Among the key questions are: How much will it cost? ; Can I install it myself? ; Where can I plant it? ; Will it leak? ; What plants do I use? The answers are found in the book, and readers discover how installing a green roof can be a positive, life-enhancing act that benefits the environment.

Introduction -- Green roofs at the small scale ; Green roof or roof garden? ; Defining small-scale and DIY green roofs ; Getting back to basics ; Green roof benefits -- Making a Green Roof. DIY or green roof company? ; The building structure beneath the green roof ; The green roof build-up -- Planting Green Roofs. Green roof plant types ; Growing vegetables and herbs on the roof ; Planting styles ; Plant establishment methods ; Maintenance -- Green Roofs and Biodiversity. Basic design principles ; Wildlife on green roofs -- Projects. Green roofs on sheds, garden offices, and studios ; Green roofs on garages and other structures ; Green roofs on houses ; Green roofs on bicycle sheds and other small structures ; Community projects -- Plant directory.