On August 25, Toyota Roof Garden (a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation) began taking orders for its TM9 turf mats, modular grass tiles developed specifically for converting rooftops into fields of green. In addition to providing an extra layer of thermal insulation to a building, a grassy rooftop can also be used as a putting green, says the company.
The mats act as a foundation upon which to grow Toyota's TM9 brand of Korean velvet grass (korai shiba), which only needs to be cut once a year (as opposed to 3 to 4 times for other varieties) due to its slow growth. Each 50 x 50 cm (20 x 20 in.) mat is 6 cm (2 in.) thick. Setting up a field is fast and easy -- just arrange the mats where you want them and voila, your grass is ready to be enjoyed.
The mats also include space for water tubes that can be used as an automated irrigation system. Water flows through the tubes into a series of channels beneath the grass, providing an even supply of moisture to the roots. Each square meter (10 sq.ft.) needs 17 liters (4.5 gallons) of water every 3 days.
For the time being, TM9 turf mats are made to order. At 5,000 yen (US$43) per square meter (10 sq.ft.), the company aims to sell 3,000 square meters (30,000 sq.ft.) in 2006.
Green rooftops provide thermal insulation for buildings and can help combat the urban heat island effect. The annual Japanese market for rooftop and wall gardening products is expected to grow to between 10 and 15 billion yen (US$90 to 130 million) in the near future.
[Source: Fuji Sankei]
Alex Waterston
This is awesome! I love it muchly and it makes me want to be a roof garden engineer now or to at least live somewhere with a flat roof so I can grow that stuff on it! Clever, clever, clever.
PS, I heart this blog. It's simple reporting and choice of articles makes my brainial cortices happy. Thank you.
[ ]Bill
Are there any plans to use this indoors? With special lights, of course.
[ ]Mark Arrowsmith
I really do wantto buy this product does anyone have an idea where I can buy it? I cant read Japanese.
Help please.
[ ]Joseph N.
I'm thinking of having a green roof myself but still have some concerns.
1. You say the grass has a slow rate of growth compared to regular grass. From late Spring through to the end of July I must cut my lawn every single week. With all the rainy weather we've been getting, I would think that even this product would need to be cut a lot more than just once per year.
2. With that said, how many times would I need to lug the lawnmower all the up to the roof?
3. Let's turn that around. Suppose we get a drought. If you don't water the lawn thouroughly, you'll end up with an ugly brown roof.
4. And...if it doesn't rain and you do have brown grass on the roof, how are you going to water the lawn? I don't even think I want to get into fertilizing the lawn roof.
[ ]Don Speight
How much does it weigh per sq ft?
[ ]zupakomputer
re: some points above,
Most folks don't have lawns - they are cutting grass that isn't meant to be for lawns, hence why it grows above a certain height to begin with.
Turf roofs have been well-trialed: there's a lot of information around as to the likes of growing food crops on roofs too, and up walls, and of course in windowboxes.
Personally I don't like the likes of mowersounds, and I suspect that is a hate shared by many given the popularity of quiet computer products (PC fans don't bother me, so think of how much garden machinery will bother folks to whom a fan is noisy), but an option for a roof mower would be the automated robot mowers, which are meant to be fairly quiet too. They don't weigh much and would be ideal for a roof environment - they look like the indoor cleaning models that glide around the floor.
For watering, probably sprinklers work out best. There's likely already wireless sprinkers available too (probably solar-powered), so you wouldn't even need to run a pipe from an indoor tank. Another possibility there incorporates rainwater harvesting designs for roofing.
link is just one I found from a search; enjoy.
[ ]Jimmy
Hi,
[ ]I have searched all over the web and I cannot find a place to buy these darn things!!! How can they hopefully sell some in 2006 when I can't buy them in 2008!!! Someone please email me if you find a place to buy these.
fangfarris@yahoo.com
Thanks
Artist
This might help you find sources and techniques. http://www.greenroofs.org/
I just planted a small part of my roof as a test to see if it works. I have a 4" thick soil mixture on a spun fabric cloth like they now use on roofs to help them breath. I used lots of pearlite in the mix and before doing anything I resealed my roof with a white elastomer material that is available at Lowes and Home Depot. It is planted more like a hydroponic then a traditional yard as I flood the yeard then reclaim the water into a barrel and reuse it in my next watering.
Good luck
[ ]CH Teoh
Hi Artist,
Can you share a picture of your "plant roof" ?
[ ]Artist
I forgot to mention this company as a local (USA) source of a simular product you are looking for
http://www.greengridroofs.com/greenroofs.htm
[ ]mainulhgsm
i wat to buy the roof top gresses and want to know the prices
[ ]Bill
I would like to be a dealer and buy some for my house. Would you please provide me with techincal data.
[ ]Bill
Are there any US Suppliers?
[ ]Marianne
can i order this product in sydney australia.
[ ]Albert Brown
This is a wonderful idea and it will be very helpful in that parts of the world where population is very dense and people don't have free land for plantaion.
[ ]Joe
Where can I purchase tm9 turf mats in the United States?
[ ]