Forging a way to better rooftop gardens

David Marlow, President of Trenton Forging, says rooftop gardens can help city buildings save energy. Much like typical rooftop greenhouses, gardens can help absorb heat for the buildings, and are also proven to reduce storm water runoff into the city. More gardens producing fresh produce in cities can also improve public health.

Trenton Forging’s mission is to make rooftop gardens and greenhouses more efficient. Using a forge, like a blacksmith or car part manufacturer does, the Trenton Forging system heats metal up to 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit. These metal parts are then out into bins to roll under a 4,000 gallon water tank in the plants to heat the green house. This system would make it much easier for the northern states to save money on heating in the winter and keep up their greenhouses all year round.

There are other companies making technology for rooftop gardens and greenhouses. Sky Vegetables, a company from Massachusetts, is creating hydroponic systems for the rooftop gardens. The system uses solar panels to absorb heat for the greenhouse. This will reduce utility costs in the summer because the garden will be absorbing extra sunlight and in the winter the greenhouse will help keep the building a little more insulated. Sky Vegetables has not licensed its technology yet, but plans on renting roofs in New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and San Francisco and selling its produce to city grocery stores.