Kids Planting and Harvesting from the Breaking Ground Green Roof in Jacksonville, Florida

Vegetables growing on the roof such as eggplant, okra, peas, butternut squash, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers and purple yard long beans.

Breaking Ground Contracting’s living roof is comprised of three main component ecosystems, including native wildflowers, shrubs and an intensive permaculture food and herb garden. The purpose of Breaking Ground’s living roof is an ongoing sustainability statement through support of wildlife biodiversity, affording economic development, offering educational opportunities to a broad range of people and providing a healthy, organic food alternative in the Urban Core.

See their website here.

Breaking Ground’s building now a Jacksonville example of green construction

Roof before garden is built.

By Kevin Turner
Florida Times
Apr 26, 2011

Excerpt:

For Mary Tappouni and the employees of Breaking Ground Contracting Co. a remodeling has transformed the company’s headquarters into a dream — a showcase of green construction.

On Monday, the centerpiece of the remodeling went into place in the form of 51 solar panels and a rooftop garden that will be watered only by rain and condensation from the building’s air conditioning units. The building, at 4218 Highway Ave., will be Northeast Florida’s only commercial business topped by solar panels and a rooftop garden, Tappouni said. She and her staff plan to move back into their newly-reinvented workplace on Friday.

“We call it a learning lab for the community,” said Catherine Burkee, Breaking Ground director of educational services. “We hope to reach out to children and educators.”

Read the complete article here.