DIY Gardening: How to Create a Vertical Wall Garden

Vertical gardening is perhaps the best example of necessity spurring innovation. It seeks to answer the question: How can the ordinary (or not so ordinary) person without much space grow their own food (or keep a few plants for fun and beauty?)

A popular feature among urban gardeners, a vertical wall garden allows you to grow a variety of plants and flowers and beautify your space without sacrificing any square footage.

It’s incredible what we can do with the technologies available to us right now. Theoretically, it’s possible to feed everyone with free, fresh, healthy, locally-sourced food.

So today, let us explore this method of growing food and keeping plants that you can use today in a tiny space.

For those who are looking to create beautiful gardens with limited space, a vertical garden could be just what you need.

Introducing Vertical Gardens – What’s the Appeal?

Vertical gardening allows you to grow plants up instead of out. You can do this in many ways, such as using trellises, stakes, or fences. You can use this type of gardening to grow various plants, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Vertical gardens are often used in small spaces, such as yards or balconies, where traditional gardening might not be possible.

Additionally, vertical gardening can create privacy screens or add shade to an outdoor space. You can create these gardens from various materials, including wood, metal, or plastic. They can also be created using recycled materials, such as old tires or pallets.

Depending on the materials used, vertical gardens can be very simple or quite elaborate. Overall, vertical gardening is an easy way to garden in small spaces and can add interest and beauty to any outdoor area.

The Pros and Cons

One of the major benefits of vertical gardening is the efficient use of space compared to traditional farming methods. This is because vertical gardens use vertical space that would otherwise be unused, such as the walls of a building or a tall fence.

Indeed, vertical gardens can also be stacked on top of each other, meaning that you can use small spaces to grow many plants.

Another advantage of vertical gardening is that You can use it to grow plants in areas where traditional farming methods would not be possible. For example, vertical gardens are often used to grow plants in urban areas with little or no available land.

You can also use them to grow plants where the soil quality is poor or the climate is unsuitable for traditional agriculture.

Vertical gardens are an excellent way to decorate your home or outdoor living space and provide fresh, healthy produce.

However, vertical gardening also comes with challenges, such as ensuring your plants get enough light and water.

One of the main issues is that these gardens tend to be more challenging to maintain than traditional gardens. It isn’t easy to reach all of the plants in a vertical garden, and some plants may not receive enough light or water.

Additionally, vertical gardens can be more expensive to set up than traditional gardens, as they often require specialized equipment and materials.

But the benefits do not stop. Here are other ways vertical gardens improve our lives:

The upsides of vertical gardens

Space-saving: Vertical gardens are a great way to grow plants in small spaces. They can be mounted on walls, fences, or even windowsills. This makes them ideal for apartments, condos, and other small homes.

Increased productivity: These gardens can produce more food per square foot than traditional gardens. This is because they can be stacked vertically, which allows for more plants to be grown in a limited space.

Improved air quality: They can help to improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. This is especially beneficial in urban areas, where air pollution can be a problem.

Reduced noise pollution: Vertical gardens can help to reduce noise pollution by absorbing sound waves. This can make a big difference in noisy areas like near highways or airports.

Enhanced property value: Vertical gardens can enhance the property value of a home or business. They can add curb appeal and make a space more attractive to potential buyers or tenants.

Increased biodiversity: Vertical gardens can help to increase biodiversity by providing habitat for birds, insects, and other small animals. This can help to improve the overall health of the ecosystem.

Reduced water usage: Vertical gardens can help reduce water usage using drip irrigation or other water-efficient methods. This is especially beneficial in areas where water is scarce.

Easy to maintain: These gardens are relatively easy to maintain. They do not require as much weeding or watering as traditional gardens. This makes them a good option for people who do not have a lot of time to garden.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Vertical Garden

If you are considering starting a vertical garden, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind to ensure the best results.

1. Choose the Location

Choose the right place for your garden. While you can build vertical gardens indoors or outdoors, the area must receive enough light and enough space to accommodate plant growth.

Additionally, ensure the area has proper drainage and is protected from strong winds as they can damage delicate plants.

2. Choose the Structure

The type of plants you want to grow will dictate the kind of vertical garden you create. For example, growing vegetables requires a different setup than if you were growing flowers.

Decide on the type of vertical garden structure that suits your space and style. Options include:

• Wooden Pallets: Great for a rustic look and easy to customize. Check out our illustrated guide to creating a wooden pallet vertical garden below.
• Plastic Wall Planters: Durable and often modular, allowing for easy rearrangement.
• Hanging Pots: Flexible and can be rearranged easily.

3. Mount the Structure

Securely mount your chosen structure to the wall using appropriate hardware. Make sure it’s level and stable to prevent any accidents.

• For wooden pallets, use sturdy brackets.
• For plastic planters, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• For hanging pots, ensure the hooks can bear the weight.

4. Prepare the Soil

Use a high-quality potting mix suitable for the types of plants you’re growing. Some plants may require specific soil conditions, so check the requirements for each type.

5. Planting and Arrangement

Choose the right plants for your garden and climate. Some plants do not grow well vertically. Your plants should also be compatible with your area’s climate and soil types. (A good potting mix might help.)

Be sure to arrange plants with similar watering needs together to make maintenance easier.

Check out our recommendations on plant selection below!

Fill each planter or section of the structure with soil. Dig small holes for your plants and gently place them in, covering the roots with soil. Press the soil lightly around the base of each plant to secure it.

6. Watering

Water the plants thoroughly after planting, but remember that watering a vertical garden may prove challenging!

Have a plan in place before you start planting. Some vertical plants may require watering more often than if you were growing them on the ground. So, consider installing a drip irrigation system for consistent moisture.

7. Pest control

Regularly check for pests, prune as necessary, and replace any plants that outgrow their space or fail to thrive. Consider making your own neem oil pesticide for organic pest control.

8. Enjoy Your Vertical Garden

Take time to enjoy your new vertical garden! It not only beautifies your space but can also provide fresh herbs, flowers, and even produce.

With some planning and preparation, vertical gardening can be a great way to grow a wide variety of plants in a small space. Fun hobby too!

Best Plants for Vertical Gardens

With so many plants to choose from, it’s tough knowing where to start. Here are some of the best plants and vegetables to grow in a vertical garden:

Pothos: Pothos is a fast-growing vine perfect for adding a bit of greenery to any space. It is a super-easy plant to care for and can tolerate low light levels, making it ideal for growing indoors.

Eggplants: Eggplants are another vining plant that does well in a vertical garden. They have shallow roots and require moderate amounts of water.

Spider Plant: Spider plants are another great option for vertical gardens. They are easy to care for and propagate and provide a nice green splash.

Ferns: Ferns are a classic choice for vertical gardens. They prefer moist conditions and need little maintenance, making them ideal for busy gardeners.

Peppers: Peppers are another vining plant that does well in a vertical garden. They have shallow roots and require moderate amounts of water.

Succulents: Succulents are perfect for those who want a bit of color in their vertical garden. They come in a wide range of colors and sizes and are relatively easy to care for.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are vining plants that you can train to grow up a trellis or support. They have shallow roots and require moderate amounts of water.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers are another vining plant that does well in a vertical garden. They have shallow roots and require moderate amounts of water.

But don’t let this list discourage you.

You can grow various plants and vegetables in a vertical garden. You’re only truly limited by your imagination about what you can do with the space. So, think broader and experiment.

Caring for Your Garden

A vertical garden adds a splash of greenery to your home without taking up too much space. Here are some tips for keeping your vertical garden healthy and happy:

1. Again, start with the right plants. Not all plants are suitable for vertical gardens. Look for plants that are drought-tolerant and have a robust root system. Succulents and air plants are good choices.
2. Provide adequate drainage. Vertical gardens can quickly become waterlogged if they don’t have good drainage. Drill holes in the bottom of each container and line them with gravel to help improve drainage.
3. Water regularly. Vertical gardens need to be watered more often than traditional gardens because their roots are exposed to the air. Water them early in the day, so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
4. Fertilize monthly. Vertically-grown plants will need more fertilizer than plants grown in traditional gardens because they cannot access nutrients from the ground. Use an organic liquid fertilizer and apply it once a month according to the package directions.

Beauty & Joy in a Vertical Garden

Vertical gardens bring both beauty and joy to your home or office. Use them to create a beautiful focal point in your garden or yard, serve as an outdoor privacy screen, or add some privacy to your outdoor space.

Creating a living wall of plants adds color, texture, and interest to any space. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, vertical gardens also have many health benefits.

Plants help purify the air, improve humidity levels, and reduce noise pollution. They can also boost your mood and energy levels, making them the perfect addition to any home or workplace.

DIY Vertical Wall Garden Infographic

Check out the infographic below to find out how you can create your own vertical wall garden:

Are you going to try building your own vertical wall garden? Tweet us @greenerideal and let us know how it goes!