The Vertical Gardening Guidebook (3 page)

A vertical gardening panel like the one pictured above can be kept indoors and moved outdoors when the weather changes.

If the vertical garden is mobile, you can move the garden outdoors on your patio or balcony to get extra sun for a few hours and then bring them back inside (although that can be a lot of work depending on how big your garden is). Grow lights can be used indoors as well.

Indoor vertical gardening isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve got the space you can make it happen! Aeroponics vertical gardening kits like can also make indoor vertical gardening a whole lot easier (See Chapter 11 on aeroponics for more info).

Patio Vertical Gardens

If you don’t have yard space to grow a vertical garden, you can plan on using an available patio, deck or balcony instead. Patios can be just as effective for growing a vertical garden. As long as it gets enough sunlight throughout the day, you should have no problem getting things set up. Just research the types of plants you want to grow to see how you should design your garden for maximum plant production.

Since you are limited in the amount of space that you’re able to use, you’re going to have to get creative with the type of structures that you use. Some ideas include trellises, arbors, pyramid-shaped assemblies, fencing, tripods and containers. If you are going to be planting vining plants and others that spread rapidly, you will find vertical gardening on your patio to be quite successful.

To maximize the usage of space, you can use hanging containers, upside down planters and baskets that can be hung on railings, canopies or arbors. Having a row of plants on shelves can also produce more space for other structures you may want to use.

You can also use vertical planters like the one pictured below to grow more in a small patio space.

Choosing the Type of Structures to Use for Your Vertical Garden

As mentioned, there are many different types of structures that you can use for your vertical garden. There are a multitude of possible setups for the different types of plants that you’ll be growing.

It’s important to note how heavy your plants will become and how much weight the structure is able to handle so that your vegetation will have enough support as it grows. The structures you use should be anchored into the ground, so that it’s not easy to tip over by passersby and your growing plants.

This is especially important when growing heavier vining plants like melons, pumpkins and squash. These plants absolutely thrive in vertical gardenings and you would be surprised how big and fast they will grow. All of these plants love “climbing” with their vines and lots of sunlight and I’ve seen 40 pound pumpkins growing from a vertical garden – so make sure you’ve got enough support for when the big fruits come!

Trellises

One structural option for your vertical garden is a trellis. These are small enough to fit in almost any space and can hold different types of plants. You can make it yourself or purchase it from a store.

Trellises can also be attached to a wall in your garden or staked into the earth for better support and the design prevents mold from spreading disease throughout your plants. Trellises have a nice design and can be combined with other forms of garden structures. Plants that grow well on trellises and tripods are those that have tendrils, such as pole beans.

This trellis is supporting several bean plants and is one of the simplest vertical gardens you can create.

If you decide to plant heavy plants on your trellises, make sure that the trellis you use is made of either wood or metal. Lighter plants can be used on metal trellises as well. Try arranging your plants in a pyramid shape. To keep your trellis in place, you can stake it to the ground using poles or stakes made of wood or iron.

Wire Fences and Poles

If you want an organized vertical garden that is filled with many types of vining plants, like peas and green beans, then wire fences and poles are your best bet. These types of plants may need a bit of help creeping up vertically. You can simply tie up the vines along the poles and wires and they will do the rest.

If you already have a fence set up, you can plant crops next to it that will grow upwards using the support of the fence. You can also just build your own using some simple chicken wire or other type of fencing material.

Arches

Another great structure that fits nicely in gardens is arches. These can be used for plants that are heavier, such as vining plants like grapes.

Arches can also be used for plants that climb or hanging baskets of plants. Your vertical garden can look like a typical garden with beautiful garden furniture and arches, making anyone want to lounge out in the yard on a warm day and enjoy the spectacular view.

This arch is completely covered with beans! Arches make for a beautiful, simple vertical garden design and can be a lot of fun.

Pockets

Pockets can be purchased at the store or you can make them yourself by using the shoe pockets that are commonly found hanging in closets (holes will need to be drilled to allow for aeration and water drainage. The pockets should be 15 inches by 24 inches, which can support up to 20 pounds of dirt. Pockets can be used for planting small perennials and edible plants.

Pocket bags like in this picture above can also support a small vertical garden – in this case with lots of fresh greens!

Trays

Trays are rectangular in shape and are divided into 30-degree angle individual cells for planting. There are holes at the bottom that allow air and water to seep through. To make your tray look unique, you can make or buy a frame of your choice to go around it.

Gardening trays that were designed for vertical gardening come with brackets that allow you to easily mount them.

Trays for vertical gardening like the ones pictured above can be mounted on a wall which is often how small green walls are made at home. Just make sure your wall or siding of your house can support the weight!

If you keep the base of the tray on the ground and attach some screws, nails or clips to fasten it to the wall it should hold up fine.

Hanging Pots

The design of pot hangers are made so that they are easy to install and nearly invisible. They have hangers that can hold up to 100 pounds. The hangers can be screwed into a wall. The pots are held onto the structure with the help of clamps.

Hanging pots like the ones pictured above can make for gorgeous flower arrangements.

Walls

If you have walls in your garden or plan to build some, you will find that you can have certain plants grow along it. All some vining plants need is a rough surface to attach to. You don’t want to use wood, painted or mortar surfaces because plants can cause damage to these types of structures. Brick walls are usually alright, but Ivy vines can cause damage to the bricks so be warned!