Roof Top Soil Mix

Roof Top Soil Mix can be blown into locations several stories high and spread on roof tops for gardens or planters.

 

The composition of roof top mix is a blend of sand, soil, pumice, peat moss and compost. The proportions of each can be varied for specific needs and tailored to each application.

Green roofs are more than a trend—they're a smart, sustainable solution for modern construction. Whether you're building a rooftop garden, a bio-retention planter, or a full-scale green roof system, choosing the right soil is critical. At Aardvark Bark, we provide a premium Roof Top Soil Mix specifically engineered for performance in elevated landscapes. Our soil is lightweight, nutrient-balanced, and designed to retain moisture while draining efficiently—ideal for plants to thrive above ground level.

We don’t just sell soil. We work with landscape architects, contractors, and property owners to make rooftop installations successful from the start. Our custom Roof Top Soil Mixes are backed by years of expertise in organic materials, soil structure, and blower truck delivery systems. Whether you're installing an intensive green roof or a simple planter system, we’re here to help you get it done right.

What Is Roof Top Soil Mix?

Roof Top Soil Mix is a specially blended, lightweight growing medium formulated for elevated environments where weight, drainage, and nutrient balance are crucial. Unlike traditional garden soil, rooftop mixes contain carefully screened organics and aggregates that reduce soil compaction, increase aeration, and limit the load on a building's structure.

Our roof mix is engineered for:

  • Excellent water retention without becoming soggy

  • Efficient drainage to prevent root rot and standing water

  • Lightweight bulk density to meet load-bearing requirements

  • Sustained nutrient availability for healthy plant growth

  • Compatibility with blower truck installation

This blend makes it perfect for everything from residential roof gardens to large-scale commercial green infrastructure.

Why Use a Specialized Roof Soil Blend?

Standard topsoil is too heavy and holds too much moisture for rooftop installations. Over time, it can compress, break down, and cause drainage or structural issues. Roof Top Soil Mix solves these problems with a science-backed, purpose-built medium.

Benefits of Our Roof Mix:

  • Lightweight Design: Our soil is significantly lighter than natural topsoil, reducing the overall load on your structure and staying within engineering limits.

  • High Porosity: Better air movement in the root zone helps prevent compaction and supports healthy root systems, especially in shallow planting areas.

  • Water Management: The right balance of drainage and retention protects your roof, plants, and building integrity.

  • Resilient Organic Matter: Our soil maintains its structure over time, unlike standard dirt that can collapse and degrade under repeated watering.

  • Customizable Blends: We offer flexibility in mix composition based on your project's plant palette, roof depth, or environmental goals.

Common Uses for Roof Top Soil Mix

Roof Top Soil Mix is more versatile than you might think. It’s an essential component in a variety of green infrastructure and landscape applications. Some of the most common uses include:

1. Green Roofs (Intensive and Extensive)

Our blends support sedums, grasses, shrubs, and small trees—depending on your system's depth and structural support. Whether your green roof is purely functional or designed as a usable outdoor space, we provide the right soil for the job.

2. Rooftop Planters & Gardens

Many commercial and residential buildings include rooftop patios with planters, herb boxes, or decorative beds. Our lightweight soil ensures these spaces thrive without overloading the structure.

3. Podium Landscapes & Terraces

Elevated courtyards, podium-level landscapes, and second-story gardens all require specialty soil that can perform under unique weight and drainage conditions.

4. Bio-Retention & Stormwater Systems

Many green roof systems are part of larger Low Impact Development (LID) strategies. Our roof mixes can be tailored for stormwater management, promoting infiltration and reducing runoff.

5. Living Walls and Vertical Gardens

Need a media mix that supports vertical growth without slumping or compacting? Our blends can be adapted for these specialized environments as well.

Blown-In Installation Available

We deliver our Roof Top Soil Mix using high-capacity blower trucks, which means we can place the soil where you need it—without cranes, lifts, or backbreaking labor. Our hoses extend over 200 feet and can reach rooftops, terraces, and planter boxes with ease. This makes installation:

  • Faster

  • Cleaner

  • More precise

  • Less disruptive

We handle both bulk and small-batch jobs. Whether you need 10 yards for a patio planter system or 150 yards for a full commercial roof, we have the equipment and crew to handle it.

What’s in Our Roof Top Soil Mix?

We build our soil blends with high-performance ingredients tailored to rooftop use. A typical mix includes:

  • Expanded shale or pumice – Lightweight aggregate that provides structure and porosity without excess weight.

  • Compost – Screened organic matter that feeds plants and improves soil biology.

  • Fine bark or coir – Helps retain moisture while maintaining breathability.

  • Sand or grit – Adds drainage and prevents soil collapse over time.

We can fine-tune your mix to meet project specs, from depth requirements to plant needs to LEED credits. Need documentation for your architect or contractor? We’ve got it.

How Much Roof Mix Do You Need?

Determining volume depends on your planting depth and square footage. As a general rule:

  • 1 cubic yard covers:

    • 324 sq ft at 1 inch deep

    • 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep

    • 65 sq ft at 5 inches deep

Let us know your project's footprint and desired soil depth—we’ll calculate the right volume and provide a clear quote for product and installation.

Why Choose Aardvark Bark?

Aardvark Bark is more than just a soil supplier—we’re a trusted partner in landscape materials. From initial consultation to final installation, we make it easy to get the right mix for your green roof or elevated planter project. Here’s why customers count on us:

  • Proven Expertise: We've worked on hundreds of rooftop and elevated installations—our blends perform, and our blower trucks deliver.

  • Custom Soil Options: Need something outside the box? We’ll create a mix that works for your project, budget, and weight limits.

  • Timely Delivery: Our blower trucks are ready to get your material in place quickly and efficiently, with minimal disruption.

  • Clean Worksites: No mess, no wheelbarrows, no damage. Just precise installation and a job well done.

  • Support You Can Count On: Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer questions, calculate material needs, and troubleshoot project challenges.

Planning Your Rooftop Soil Project

To help your rooftop soil installation go smoothly, here are a few tips:

  • Consult your structural engineer to verify load-bearing capacity.

  • Measure planter or roof square footage and decide on planting depth.

  • Choose a mix based on intended plantings—herbs, shrubs, sedums, or ornamentals may need different blends.

  • Clear the area of debris and prepare for hose access.

  • Schedule early to reserve blower truck availability.

We’re happy to work with your contractor or designer to coordinate delivery and install logistics.

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