How to Build a Vertical Garden
The idea around vertical gardens is no longer new and strange as it was a few years back. Today, more and more people are welcoming to the idea of having a vertical garden. Most people all over the world are used to the traditional gardens which require a lot of space as compared to the vertical gardens. Over thirty years ago Patrick Blanc, a French architect, kick-started the use of vertical gardens in Paris. He later spread the new technology all over the world, and the result is more individuals adopting this practice of farming. Vertical gardens come most in handy where there is limited space.
The following are a few pointers for those who want to build a vertical garden:
Decide the specifics for your garden
A vertical garden varies in terms of size, shape, and configuration. The choice of which one to use depends on your preference and liking. You will have the option to choose one that hangs on the wall or the one that is free standing. There are several types of vertical gardens and here are a few to help you decide which is best to suit your needs:
Pocket gardening
Using a cloth canvas, you can quickly come up with this garden type. It is a simple procedure that won’t take much of your time and also will not cost you a lot. But in case you find it hard to build and come up with, you can take the option of purchasing one from a local retailer. The good thing about this type of garden is that you can grow it wherever you want in your house and doesn’t need a lot of space to do so.
Pallet Planter
This method involves converting a pallet into a planter for your garden. This procedure is affordable and doesn’t cost so much money. Here you need to embrace creativity in all means possible. You can even use old household items such as jugs on the pallet, and you will still have a wonderful result.
Wall planters
These are planters that enable you to plant your garden on the wall. Most people use this to plant flowers around their homes and sometimes vegetables.
Baskets
Here you need a basket to hang your garden. This type of vertical garden offers more space than the others above since you can grow different plants that would have otherwise been impossible on the other planters.
Know what you can grow and what you cannot
Of course, a vertical garden has its limitations on what you can build and what you can’t grow. It is essential to be aware of this so that you know what you need to plant in the garden. Plants such as trees are impossible to grow on a vertical patio and can only be planted on the conventional gardens.
Otherwise, you can freely plant the following on a vertical garden:
- Greens
- Beans
- Potatoes
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Herbs
- Parsnips
- Radishes
The above are but some of the examples of plants you can grow in a vertical garden. However, thanks to technological advancements, more plants are starting to feature on these gardens by the day.
How to build the garden
Now that you have known all the basics about vertical gardens, it is now time to gain some knowledge on how to accomplish the plan of having the garden. If you are a newbie, the process of growing this garden can challenge you, but with the following tips, things will be much easier.
Pick the right soil and plants
Unlike conventional gardening where the plant picks nutrients from the surrounding ground, in vertical gardening, the survival of the plant depends on the soil you select. Choose the best quality soil that will sustain your plants. Also, you need to pick plants that will grow correctly in the given climate.
Start the plants indoors
The force of gravity on a vertical garden has the potential to affect growth at early stages. This is why you need to place the plants indoors first before taking them out.
Use water and fertilizers frequently
The plants need sufficient water and nutrients from fertilizers to grow to maturity. This is something you should offer frequently.
Conclusion
As you have seen above, growing a vertical garden is not a hard task, and all it needs is dedication. Be sure to try it out and witness the advantages it brings.
