If you’re stuck in a small space and think gardening is out of reach, think again! Vertical gardening is the perfect solution for those with limited square footage. It’s similar to container gardening, but takes up even less space. While it may sound too good to be true, with the right knowledge and understanding of how to grow plants vertically, you can successfully develop a thriving vertical garden that suits your unique situation.
Vertical Gardening Types
For those looking to cultivate a lush and thriving vertical garden, there are several methods to consider. Some popular approaches include:
Growing in a Vertical Container
When it comes to vertical container gardening, you have two options. You can opt for pre-made units that are readily available in the market, or build your own frame using slats and attach large window boxes to create a unique growing space. The latter approach allows for greater flexibility and customization. Alternatively, you can also purchase a similar setup designed specifically for vertical gardening, which can simplify the process.
Regardless of the approach you choose, containers provide an excellent way to grow a variety of vegetables in a compact manner.
Pocket Gardening
Create your own canvas pocket garden by sewing pockets into a cloth canvas or using a shoe organizer for a simpler approach. Alternatively, you can opt for a pre-made vertical pocket garden. The beauty of these gardens lies in their ability to provide anyone with limited space the opportunity to grow something, as long as they have a sunny wall available.
Wall Planters
Wall planters are a versatile and space-saving solution for gardening enthusiasts. By attaching them to a wall, these planters provide an ideal spot for cultivating a variety of flowers, herbs, and even vegetables. Their compact design makes them perfect for small balconies or divided living spaces in urban areas where outdoor growing space is limited. They can be used to grow a range of crops, from leafy greens and cherry tomatoes to colorful blooms and fragrant herbs.
Pallet Planter
Shelves
Vertical gardening on shelving units offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to cultivate multiple plants in a condensed area. By utilizing containers stacked on shelves, you can create a thriving mini-garden that showcases an array of vegetable varieties. This setup not only conserves space but also simplifies the process of tending to your garden, making it ideal for those with limited room or time.
Hanging Basket
Vertical gardening doesn’t just stop at planters and trellises – hanging baskets offer a unique way to cultivate a variety of fruits, including tomatoes, which can thrive in this type of setup. The added benefit is that you can grow plants that may struggle with soil-based gardens, like those that require full sun or specific air circulation. Similarly, strawberries are an excellent choice for hanging baskets, providing a sweet and juicy reward for your efforts.
Trellis
To take your gardening game to the next level, you can also create a trellis wall that provides ample support for vining vegetables like cucumbers and runner green beans. By training these plants to grow upwards rather than sprawling outward, you’ll be able to cultivate them in even the most compact of spaces, making it perfect for small gardens or those with limited yard space.
What Can be Grown in a Vertical Garden?
If you’re considering a vertical garden, it’s time to think outside the box – or rather, outside the soil. From leafy greens to root vegetables and even herbs, there are plenty of options for what you can grow in your vertical setup. Lettuce, cabbage, and other types of greens are obvious choices, but don’t forget about potatoes, beans, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, radishes, and parsnips.
Each one has its own unique growing requirements, so make sure to research the specific needs of each plant before getting started.
How to Grow a Vertical Garden
While traditional gardening methods are relatively straightforward, cultivating a vertical garden requires a unique approach. This is because you’re asking plants to defy their natural growth patterns and adapt to an unconventional environment. To successfully grow your own vertical garden, it’s essential to understand the key factors that set it apart from other forms of horticulture.
Where’s It Going to Go?
One of the most attractive features of a vertical garden is its versatility. This unique growing system can thrive in various settings, from outdoor balconies and dividing walls to indoor spaces. It’s particularly suitable for cultivating an indoor herb garden, where it can provide year-round freshness. But what if you want the best of both worlds? A hybrid vertical garden that seamlessly transitions between outdoors and indoors is also an option.
To make this happen, consider using wheels or a moveable base to relocate your garden as needed. Alternatively, shelves can be employed to create a mobile and cost-effective hybrid setup.
Pick Your Plants
When selecting plants for your vertical garden, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s essential to choose species that will thrive in a compact environment and don’t require too much spread. Plants like dwarf fruit trees or blueberry bushes can be problematic in this regard, as they tend to branch out and sprawl, which defeats the purpose of a vertical garden’s space-saving design.
Instead, opt for plants that will flow smoothly downwards, ensuring your garden remains visually appealing and functional.
Another crucial factor is choosing plants with similar environmental requirements. Since you can’t easily relocate or adjust the position of your vertical garden, it’s vital to select vegetation that shares the same light, temperature, and watering needs.
This means selecting either full-sun loving plants or those that prefer partial shade, rather than a mix of both, as this would require frequent adjustments.
Of course, having shelves with containers or hanging baskets at your disposal does open up more possibilities for plant selection. Nonetheless, prioritizing uniform environmental requirements and compact growth habits will ensure the success and longevity of your vertical garden.
Good Soil is a Must
When growing vegetables in containers or elevated spaces, they typically won’t be able to tap into the abundant nutrients found in a rich soil environment. Since their root systems are confined to a relatively small volume of soil, it’s crucial to provide them with high-quality potting soil that can deliver essential nutrients and support healthy growth.
Start Your Plants
When it comes time to introduce your seedlings to their new home, consider starting them indoors before transplanting them into a vertical garden. The constant downward pull of gravity in a vertical setup can hinder root development, making it challenging for plants to thrive. By providing a nurturing environment indoors until they’re robust and healthy, you’ll give your plants the best possible start.
Once they’ve reached maturity, they’ll be better equipped to handle the gravitational forces at play in a vertical garden, allowing them to grow strong and sturdy.
Water Frequently
To maintain the health and vitality of your vertical garden, it’s crucial to water it regularly. The unique characteristic of these plants is their shallow root system, which is a result of the limited growing space. Additionally, the plants don’t have much soil surrounding them to aid in moisture retention. This combination makes it challenging for the plants to store water effectively.
A well-designed irrigation system can be an excellent solution for vertical gardens, especially those mounted on walls like pocket gardens.
Fertilizer Will be Needed
In a vertical garden setup, plants don’t have the opportunity to tap into soil-based nutrients like their ground-dwelling counterparts do. As such, it’s essential to provide them with an alternative source of sustenance. One effective approach is to administer fertilizer via liquid application using a spray bottle or by incorporating it into the irrigation system during watering. This ensures plants receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development.
Plant Insurance
As with any living ecosystem, vertical gardens are not immune to mortality. In fact, shallow root systems of some plants make them more prone to dying off. But don’t let this reality dampen the appeal of your thriving vertical oasis! To maintain its vibrancy and ensure a seamless transition when a plant passes on, keep a stash of healthy backups in reserve. This way, you can simply swap out the deceased plant with a vigorous replacement, keeping your garden’s visual harmony intact.
Pros and Cons of a Vertical Garden
When considering a vertical gardening setup, it’s essential to carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages to determine whether it’s a worthwhile investment of time and resources for your unique situation. Here, we’ll weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this innovative approach to gardening.
Pros
Combining the benefits of vertical gardening with innovative design, these compact systems empower individuals to cultivate fresh produce in even the most limited spaces. Not only do they provide a lush greenery to adorn vacant walls or patios, but also enable year-round vegetable growth, perfect for indoor cultivation during colder months.
The versatility of these systems lies in their ability to thrive indoors and out, making them an ideal solution for urban dwellers, apartment residents, and anyone seeking to bring a touch of nature to their living space.
Cons
Delicate flora often thrives under conditions where shallow root systems prevail. As such, these plants demand meticulous attention and constant nurturing. Soil scarcity, for instance, necessitates more frequent watering to prevent desiccation. Furthermore, certain plant species may not be well-suited for vertical planting arrangements, requiring alternative cultivation methods.
My Final Thoughts
For those living in urban communities with limited space, vertical gardening can be a game-changer. Not only does it provide an opportunity to grow fresh produce, but it also offers the satisfaction of cultivating one’s own food, despite the added effort required for regular watering and fertilizing.
While vertical gardening is ideal for tight spaces, those with slightly more room may find that other styles, such as container gardening, better suit their needs.
This is because vertical gardens often limit the variety of crops that can be grown, whereas container gardens offer greater flexibility and a wider range of options.
