“...the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.”
The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays
We acknowledge the Dharug and Gundungurra people, the Traditional Owners of the land where we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Our small family-based business located in Sydney is committed to providing sustainable products for urban gardening enthusiasts. Our mission is to empower individuals to grow their own food and make the most of their limited urban spaces.
We understand that traditional gardening methods are not always feasible in urban environments due to limited space and resources. This is why we offer innovative products such as Waterpot Ollas, Spikes, and Root Pouch grow bags that make gardening easier, promote healthier plants, and allow for growing in areas where traditional gardens may not be possible, such as rooftops, balconies, and small yards.
Our Waterpot Ollas and Spikes are designed to conserve water by providing a slow, steady release directly to the plant roots, reducing the need for frequent watering and minimising water waste. This is especially important in areas where water resources are limited. Additionally, our Root Pouch grow bags promote healthy plant growth by allowing for proper root aeration and drainage, resulting in stronger and more vibrant plants.
We believe that everyone should have access to fresh and healthy produce, regardless of their location or living situation. Our products help to make urban gardening a more accessible and sustainable option for people living in cities and other urban areas. By using our products, customers can enjoy the benefits of gardening while reducing their carbon footprint and promoting a more sustainable future.
Up on The Rooftop is for you, the urban city small space dweller living a compact space and yearning for a simplified life. I'll pass on to you interesting readings and musings that will inform your choices on this journey; also, I will make available to you a carefully curated range of products that are on the Up on The Rooftop digital store shelf because I believe they are worth having – each comes with a winsome story of innovators who saw that something could be done better, a tradition, a craftsmanship or is just too darn smart not to make it known to you, but above all they satisfy five critical values:
- It makes good sense
- The materials will last
- It offers savings - time, financial, storage space, longevity
- It offers flexible function and versatility
- It contributes to a more sustainable and regenerative way of living
Thank you for considering Up On The Rooftop for your urban gardening needs. We are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable products that make gardening easier and more accessible for everyone.
The story on the top storey...
Up On the Rooftop was borne of a passion for urban small space gardening (in particular fresh, organic edibles) and a desire to encourage other city dwellers to grow a little of their own food, create green spaces in their homes for their therapeutic qualities, plant trees (the lungs of the planet), connect with nature and live more sustainably in the context that we find ourselves.
My urban growing space is “up on a rooftop”, a top storey apartment balcony grow bag and container garden and a cold climate garden with grow bags, containers and no-dig garden beds.
My garden practice is based on Permaculture principles. Most of us are used to the idea that providing for human needs, such as our food, fuel and clothing is inherently destructive to natural systems. However, many human cultures have lived in harmony with their environments, consuming far less than modern industrial peoples. Permaculture draws insights from these traditional cultures, from modern sciences and from personal observations of nature, to collect new and old ways of providing for human needs that are not only sustainable, but regenerative.
Adapting these principles to my own life and the practices I employ in creating my edible garden I have discovered a way of living in a modern urban context in the suburbs that is as sustainable and regenerative as possible, whilst learning to tread with gentle footfall on the planet. By living in sync with nature, listening, observing and learning, I have been able to produce over 80kg annually of my own organically grown vegetables, herbs and fruit from my Balcony farm and plenty from my mountains garden too.
My small values-based business was a natural progression from this lifestyle as I saw increasing interest in the gentle ways of urban farming for food production, mental health and recreation. The more I spoke to people of my journey , the more I realised how much my journey resonated with others from all situations, communities and demographics. The most common questions related to how I was able to grow in a small-space situation. It made absolute sense to try to find a way of bringing the methods and products I used to this market so that others could find success in growing their own urban gardens. Up on the Rooftop was born!
The Balcony Farm featured as a case study in Angus Stewart's award winning book, Grow Your Own Food - How to be an Urban Farmer, and a wonderful relationship has continued of teacher and friend! The book is a fabulous resource for those starting out on their edible garden journey.
In October 2020 the Balcony garden featured in Episode 32 of the popular national gardening show ABC Gardening Australia. "Wendy is an urban farmer and lives the experience of growing in restricted spaces and containers." Take a tour of the garden with Costa Giorgiadis VIEW VIDEO
