A wall is another way to
create a garden that will
add a nice design element
to your living space. A
popular way to start growing on a wall is installing
pockets or pouches to the
wall using hooks, screws
or nails. Then all you
have to do is fill them
with garden soil. For this
purpose, there are specially made pockets guaranteed
to hold a great deal of soil that will provide a good base.
You can also create your own pouches.
When creating pouches, it is important to ensure there
is enough drainage to prevent plant roots from rotting.
Also ensure the containers can handle the weight of the
garden soil and plants. Some household items you can
experiment with are cut pop bottles, ice cream buckets,
old vases and repurposed gutters. Once your pouches
are secured, simply follow the rules of container gardening and you should be harvesting in no time. Always
keep the size of the container in mind when planting.
Vertical wall gardens can also be made with a series
of trays. Try wooden trays that have a layout similar to
the plastic ones that can be purchased at the beginning of the season. These cells help keep you plants
secure against the wall while offering excellent drainage. Smaller cells work well for cacti and other succulents, while larger cells can handle plants that require
more water and rooting space.
There is yet another option for a vertical garden,
and it comes in handy when using a wall is not ideal.
Simply create a false wall using a wooden pallet or
other similar item. The wooden pallet is secured to
the wall, and the containers secured to the pallet. This
method helps reduce the amount of holes that are
made on the actual wall. Make sure the pallet is completely secure before planting; no one wants to deal
with a pallet that has fallen over.
A vertical garden is the same as any other garden. It
needs the right soil, fertilizer, pest control and water
requirements. No matter which containers you use,
it is vital to use the best soil to maintain the health of
the planter. You’ll also need a plan to ensure even the
highest planters get enough water. This is easily done
by using a wand extension that can be added to your
garden hose. A drip system can be a good way to water
higher plants if a water wand is not available.
start
“A popular way to
growing on a wall
is installing pockets or pouches to the wall using
hooks, screws or nails.”
Overall, a vertical garden is an excellent option for someone
who is not able to have a traditional, horizontal garden or someone who is just looking to have that extra something to help
their home stand out. It can provide a great growing place for
someone who wants fresh flowers, vegetables or herbs, but who
doesn’t have a large yard. There are few limits when it comes to
creating fabulous, thriving vertical gardens.
Shannon McKee lives in Ohio and
has been a freelance writer for several
years now, including on her blog,
whyiwah.blogspot.com. Nicknamed
a garden hoarder by loved ones over the
past few years, she grows a wide variety
of plants in her urban garden.
Maximum Yield USA | January 2015
131