Irrigation Systems for Green Roofs

Irrigation Systems for Green
Roofs
Research by: Joanna VanLuttikhuizen, Ernie Morimoto, Mark Russell,
Niagara College Class of 2009
Supervisors: Olga Piedrahita, Bill MacDonald
Niagara College
What is a Green Roof?
A roof that is covered with
plants and grown in
specialized media. These
plants can range from small
sedums to complete
gardens with trees and other
ornamental features.
Starting January 31, 2010, a bylaw in Toronto
will require green roofs in all commercial,
institutional and residential development
with an area exceeding 2,000m2
Some Benefits of Green Roofs
Part 1 - Plant Establishment
Conducted by the class of 2009
Establishment of plant
Reduced water run-off
material in modules.
Lowers surrounding
Native and sedum plants were
temperature
Reduction in energy costs
Increases bio-diversity
selected for the trial
Two drip irrigation systems
from Dramm were compared
Improves living spaces
Best plants in
Part 1:
Irrigation systems used
Dramm Ring - Generation 2
Part 1 – Results
Plantain
Ring Irrigation
Line Irrigation
Water Distribution:
Dramm Line Prototype
• Upland Aster
• Prairie Smoke
• Poor Robin’s
• Hairy Beard
Tongue
• Nodding Wild
- Distinct ring formation
- Uniform water
- Longer time to fully irrigate
through the module
- Half the time to irrigate
through the module
Onion
• Sedums- various
Success of Plant Material:
- 10% of plants were lost
- Corners and centers most
affected by lack of water
- 1% of plants were lost
DRAMM Corporation Manitowoc, Wis. T:920-684-0227 F:920-684-4499 www.dramm.com
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Part 2 -Outdoor Evaluation
Project Set-up
Conducted by: Joanna VanLuttikhuizen, Ernie Morimoto, Mark Russell
Three structures built to regular
guidelines for green roofs.
Project goal:
Are irrigation systems necessary for
preventing plant death in Ontario
green-roofs ?
Each with 9 modules 2ft x 2ft and 4”
deep.
Ring and line irrigation installed
Results for Summer 2010
40
Pennsylvania
Sage - Carex pensylvanica
Rainfall mm
Temperature C
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
150
108 108 108
100
107 103
11-Aug
7-Aug
9-Aug
10-Aug
5-Aug
8-Aug
4-Aug
6-Aug
31-Jul
1-Aug
Plant Survival
3-Aug
2-Aug
27-Jul
30-Jul
29-Jul
25-Jul
28-Jul
26-Jul
21-Jul
23-Jul
22-Jul
24-Jul
17-Jul
19-Jul
20-Jul
15-Jul
18-Jul
16-Jul
11-Jul
13-Jul
12-Jul
14-Jul
7-Jul
9-Jul
10-Jul
5-Jul
8-Jul
6-Jul
1-Jul
3-Jul
2-Jul
4-Jul
27-Jun
30-Jun
28-Jun
29-Jun
25-Jun
26-Jun
0
Irrigation vs. No Irrigation
107 104
74
72
50
0
June 18th
Line Irrigation
July 30th
August 11th
Ring Irrigation
No Irrigation
Sedums - various
Pussy Toes
– Antennaria parvifolia
Irrigation
vs.
No Irrigation
Irrigation vs. No Irrigation
DRAMM Corporation Manitowoc, Wis. T:920-684-0227 F:920-684-4499 www.dramm.com
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The two irrigation systemsAny winner?
Dramm Ring
Generation 2
Conclusion
Irrigation significantly improved plant survival
Line prototype and the ring system are not
significantly different in the field
Sedums survived better than native plants without
irrigation
Irrigation is needed when native plants are used
in conditions like the Summer of 2010
Dramm Line
Prototype
Acknowledgments
What this means for Greenhouse
Growers…
If your client looses 30% of their plant
material due to no irrigation, can this
effect your overall reputation as a
grower?
DRAMM Corporation Manitowoc, Wis. T:920-684-0227 F:920-684-4499 www.dramm.com
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