Vertical gardening is an ideal solution for those constrained by a lack of horizontal gardening space. A vertical garden maximizes growing space by utilizing upright growth habits or containers. This technique can be applied indoors and outdoors, making it a great option for those with less space.
Vertical gardens are a creative and efficient way to transform small spaces into stunning displays of natural beauty. These innovative garden structures can be eye-catching focal points or clever disguises for unsightly views. By incorporating multi-level designs that encourage the growth of vibrant climbers or striking trees, you can elevate the visual appeal of any area. In this article, we will explore a variety of vertical gardening projects that demonstrate how to construct a basic garden trellis and cultivate a lush, flourishing garden.
How To Start A Vertical Garden?
Vertical gardening presents an innovative way of cultivating plants, enabling climbing plants, such as squashes and beans, and non-climbing plants to be grown on walls. This modern technique has revolutionized the traditional garden’s layout, adding a unique, three-dimensional and visually stunning dimension.
When considering a vertical garden, there are several factors to take into account.
When considering a vertical garden, there are several factors to take into account.
- Selecting the appropriate location is essential. It can be inside or outside, but it must receive adequate sunlight.
- It is crucial to choose the right plants, as not every plant can thrive in a vertical garden. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research beforehand.
- Lastly, deciding on an appropriate support system is vital, and several options are available. It is essential to select the one that best fits your requirements.
13 Vertical Garden Ideas
Explore these various gardening tips that offer a wide range of options and styles to choose from, allowing you to find the one that perfectly suits your needs.
Raised Garden
If you lack the area for a traditional garden plot, consider opting for a raised garden bed. With a raised garden bed, you can eliminate weeds from your garden soil, prevent soil compaction and water runoff, and minimize concerns about garden pests such as slugs and snails. Additionally, raised garden beds enable you to focus your efforts on a small space, allowing you to work, water, weed, and fertilize your plants more efficiently.
Raised beds and planters can be installed on slopes, whether gradual or steep, by aligning them with the natural contours of the landscape. This enables you to create a beautiful and functional garden that suits the incline of your property.
Raised beds and planters can be installed on slopes, whether gradual or steep, by aligning them with the natural contours of the landscape. This enables you to create a beautiful and functional garden that suits the incline of your property.
Plant Raised Beds
Creating a raised garden bed with seating is an ideal project for young gardeners to cultivate many different types of edible plants. Brainstorm together to decide what to grow, such as corn, cherry tomatoes, french beans, peas, strawberries, and raspberries, all crops that are sure to be popular. To start this year, purchase seedlings to plant out or wait until next spring for sowings.
Pallet Planter
Using pallets to construct a wall planting system is an excellent way to repurpose materials and develop a wonderful, eco-friendly vertical vegetable garden.
Incorporating pallet garden wall ideas into your outdoor area can bring a rustic appeal and individuality. Additionally, wooden palettes are highly adaptable and sustainable, making them an excellent choice for your vegetable garden. To begin, remove any nails or staples from the pallet and smooth out any uneven areas. Next, fasten small planters such as metal buckets or terra-cotta pots to the pallet with screws or nails. After that, fill the planters with soil and lay the pallet flat. Finally, place seeds into the slats or seedlings for better growth.
After the seedlings have been established for at least two weeks, they should remain stable upon being suspended on the pallet.
Incorporating pallet garden wall ideas into your outdoor area can bring a rustic appeal and individuality. Additionally, wooden palettes are highly adaptable and sustainable, making them an excellent choice for your vegetable garden. To begin, remove any nails or staples from the pallet and smooth out any uneven areas. Next, fasten small planters such as metal buckets or terra-cotta pots to the pallet with screws or nails. After that, fill the planters with soil and lay the pallet flat. Finally, place seeds into the slats or seedlings for better growth.
After the seedlings have been established for at least two weeks, they should remain stable upon being suspended on the pallet.
Bamboo Trellis
To enhance the productivity and ecological diversity of your vegetable garden, trellises can be utilized to take advantage of the vertical space, without the need for tall plants.
Using a trellis can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden while also providing practical benefits such as preventing mess caused by fast-growing plants that tend to spread. Additionally, a trellis helps to keep fruit clean and makes it easier to harvest.
Constructing a bamboo trellis can be achieved with various types of wood, allowing the option to stain or paint the final product. Regardless of the type, bamboo is an excellent material for garden trellises. Additionally, you can cultivate your own bamboo to make a trellis.
Using a trellis can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden while also providing practical benefits such as preventing mess caused by fast-growing plants that tend to spread. Additionally, a trellis helps to keep fruit clean and makes it easier to harvest.
Constructing a bamboo trellis can be achieved with various types of wood, allowing the option to stain or paint the final product. Regardless of the type, bamboo is an excellent material for garden trellises. Additionally, you can cultivate your own bamboo to make a trellis.
Living Walls
The top small garden suggestion is to set up a thriving living wall. This involves filling square or rectangular compost-filled panels with various plants, such as hardy succulents, ferns, and edible plants. Once complete, the panels are inserted into a frame that is mounted on a wall.
The wall is equipped with a drip irrigation system that waters the plants through pockets at the top. However, it’s crucial to avoid overcrowding the plants in the same space as it doesn’t enhance the aesthetics. Instead, the living artwork grows and flourishes, creating a stunning decor that enhances any area while occupying less space.
The wall is equipped with a drip irrigation system that waters the plants through pockets at the top. However, it’s crucial to avoid overcrowding the plants in the same space as it doesn’t enhance the aesthetics. Instead, the living artwork grows and flourishes, creating a stunning decor that enhances any area while occupying less space.
Succession Planting
Succession planting is a technique that involves spreading out the growth of crops to ensure a continuous supply and prolong the harvesting period. In Canada, the growing season is relatively short, depending on the region, which makes this approach even more important.
Consider cultivating vertical plants such as tomatoes or climbing plants such as cucumbers and beans. Using some planning and ingenuity, you can also use this technique to acquire multiple crops of your preferred vegetables from the beginning of spring until autumn.
Consider cultivating vertical plants such as tomatoes or climbing plants such as cucumbers and beans. Using some planning and ingenuity, you can also use this technique to acquire multiple crops of your preferred vegetables from the beginning of spring until autumn.
Ladder Planter
To expand your container gardening area, consider growing plants vertically using a ladder. This ladder-style planter is not only enjoyable and popular for enhancing your garden’s appearance, but it also provides an opportunity to cultivate your preferred herbs or flowers on the ladder shelves when your garden is already full and has no more room for additional ones.
Take an old ladder and prop it against the wall. Enhance each step by adding plants in terracotta pots.
Take an old ladder and prop it against the wall. Enhance each step by adding plants in terracotta pots.
Hanging Baskets/Planters
Hanging planters are not just for houseplants and flowers, as they can also be used to grow edible plants. These types of planters provide space for smaller plantings that are suspended from railings, ceilings, and walls, making them ideal for small gardens.
Shallow-rooted edibles like strawberries or salad greens can be grown in hanging baskets, creating a beautiful and delicious display. Additionally, certain tomato varieties like Tumblers, Basket Boys, and Window Box are well-suited for suspended growing in small gardens.
Shallow-rooted edibles like strawberries or salad greens can be grown in hanging baskets, creating a beautiful and delicious display. Additionally, certain tomato varieties like Tumblers, Basket Boys, and Window Box are well-suited for suspended growing in small gardens.
Wall-Mounted Planters
Wall-mounted planters have become a trendy option for small areas, providing an opportunity to create a stunning vertical garden. Hanging pots, wicker baskets, and circular planters can all be securely attached to any wall or flat surface.
In contrast to maintaining a large garden, wall planters are simple to care for and highly adaptable. Plants can be swapped out effortlessly, and the wall arrangement can be changed to reflect your mood. Additionally, wall planters add instant glamour and style to dull spaces.
In contrast to maintaining a large garden, wall planters are simple to care for and highly adaptable. Plants can be swapped out effortlessly, and the wall arrangement can be changed to reflect your mood. Additionally, wall planters add instant glamour and style to dull spaces.
Plant With Spikes And Spires
Suppose you observe the planting of a magnificent summer flower border. In that case, you will realize that spikes and spires are always an essential component, contributing to the space’s vitality and heightening its appeal. They create a magical effect that breathes life into your yard, even in small areas.
These tall and slim flowers are great for adding height and creating an illusion of space in a small garden. They complement low-growing plants and prevent the garden from feeling too heavy. However, it is important to use them in moderation as too many can make the garden feel restless and unbalanced. Use them sparingly like adding spices to a dish.
These tall and slim flowers are great for adding height and creating an illusion of space in a small garden. They complement low-growing plants and prevent the garden from feeling too heavy. However, it is important to use them in moderation as too many can make the garden feel restless and unbalanced. Use them sparingly like adding spices to a dish.
Gutter System
An innovative concept involves utilizing old gutter sections to create gardening areas. It’s similar to a window box but with more capacity. Ensure sufficient distance between the gutter sections for sunlight to filter through. Additionally, ensure that the bottom of the parts has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and to allow for adequate watering of lower levels.
To make an eye-catching statement in your garden, employ metal rods as legs and place them at different heights.
To make an eye-catching statement in your garden, employ metal rods as legs and place them at different heights.
Stand-alone Vertical Garden Wall
To suit your space, you can make this vertical garden larger or smaller. A walled garden is made easy by attaching hex or chicken wire netting to a wooden frame, which won’t obstruct the view of what’s beyond. It’s important to remember to position your wall garden in a spot that receives the optimal amount of sunlight each day.
Pyramid Gardening
Pyramid planters are a great way to grow plants in small spaces such as balconies, patios, or even on the ground. Although they are often used to grow strawberries, they can be used to plant any flower, herb, or vegetable. There are various pyramid planter designs, and they can be made from different materials.
This trend is popular due to its contemporary appearance, space-saving feature, and creativity. This is an excellent DIY vertical garden project for individuals with limited gardening space, but it may require some skill and expertise with tools to complete. If you’re uncomfortable using tools, you can always hire a professional to construct the tower, but this would come at a cost.
This trend is popular due to its contemporary appearance, space-saving feature, and creativity. This is an excellent DIY vertical garden project for individuals with limited gardening space, but it may require some skill and expertise with tools to complete. If you’re uncomfortable using tools, you can always hire a professional to construct the tower, but this would come at a cost.
Build Upright Features
Adding upright features, such as arbours, arches, pergolas, obelisks, bowers, decorative buildings or poles, and swags, can introduce vertical interest and contribute more layers to the overall garden design, providing greater depth. This is particularly important for gardens that lack mature trees or hedges.
To enhance the beauty of these structures, consider planting tulips at the base for spring, marigolds for early summer, and late flowering sunflowers for high summer. For a repeat flowering effect, choose Clematis Jackmanii climbing roses and add an Autumn Clematis for late summer and early fall with its tiny white flowers.
To enhance the beauty of these structures, consider planting tulips at the base for spring, marigolds for early summer, and late flowering sunflowers for high summer. For a repeat flowering effect, choose Clematis Jackmanii climbing roses and add an Autumn Clematis for late summer and early fall with its tiny white flowers.
Innovative Ideas for Small-Space Vertical Gardens
Inspired by The Spruce article, we’ve compiled a list of innovative ideas for small-space vertical gardens. These creative solutions will help you make the most out of your limited area:
- Repurpose a shoe organizer: Transform a hanging fabric shoe organizer into a clever vertical garden for herbs or small plants.
- Utilize a trellis: Install a trellis to support climbing plants and create a visually appealing garden feature.
- Hang pots from a wall or fence: Attach hooks or brackets to a wall or fence, and hang pots of various sizes to showcase your plants.
- Stack crates or wooden pallets: Arrange crates or wooden pallets vertically to create a customizable, modular planting system for various plant types.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Vertical Gardening Space
Greenstalk Vertical Garden’s article offers practical tips for maximizing your vertical gardening space. We’ve summarized their advice below:
- Choose appropriate plants: Consider the growing habits and size of the plants you select. Opt for vertical-friendly plants like climbing vines, compact vegetables, or small-fruiting varieties.
- Ensure adequate sunlight: Place your vertical garden in a location that receives sufficient sunlight to support healthy plant growth.
- Optimize irrigation: Design your vertical garden with a proper irrigation system to ensure even water distribution throughout the structure.
- Regularly maintain your vertical garden: Prune and trim plants as needed to keep them healthy and prevent overcrowding.
Understanding the Science Behind Vertical Gardening
The Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology article emphasizes the importance of understanding the science behind vertical gardening. Some essential concepts to consider include:
- Photosynthesis and light exposure: Vertical gardens expose more plant surface area to sunlight, increasing photosynthesis and, ultimately, plant growth.
- Air circulation: Improved air circulation in vertical gardens reduces the chance of plant diseases and enhances pollination.
Vertical Garden Plants
The choice of plants for a vertical garden or wall depends on the lighting and growing conditions. Plant selection is varied and diverse, with various options available for traditional vertical planting.
Annual Vines
Annual flowering vines are plants that bloom for one growing season before dying off. Examples: Morning Glory, Black-eyed Susan Vine, Scarlet Runner Bean, & Nasturtium.
Perennial Vines
Perennial vines that are simple to cultivate for vertical gardens include Clematis, Honeysuckle, Trumpet vine, Virginia creeper & Grape vines.
Shady Vines
Some examples of vines suitable for vertical gardening in shaded areas are Poison ivy, Virginia creeper, Japanese knotweed, English ivy & Oriental bittersweet.
Edible Plants
Fruiting vines, like kiwi and grape vines, as well as edible flowers such as vining nasturtiums, are excellent choices for vertical planting. Additionally, vertical garden vegetables like peas, squash, tomatoes, and pole beans adapt well to this type of cultivation.
Columnar Plants
Plants that grow in a columnar shape add visual interest to vertical gardens and do not necessarily require support structures. Consider Columnar Blue Spruce, White Pine, Columnar Cedar & Columnar Maple.
Vertical Gardening Considerations
When gardening vertically outdoors, it is important to consider these elements:
- To prevent disruption of plant roots or stems, securing the vertical gardening structure before planting is recommended. It is advisable to match robust structures with heavy or high-maintenance plants.
- The growth of plants in the vertical garden can be altered by the shadows created by tall structures or plants nearby.
- In a vertical garden, the growth of plants varies. Climbing roses require attachment to structures, while morning glories twine and can wrap themselves around trellis openings.
- Due to increased exposure to light and wind, plants in a vertical garden may require more frequent watering and fertilization.
Vertical Gardening For A Sustainable Future
Vertical gardening is a safe, sustainable, diverse, and efficient method for growing plants indoors or outdoors. It’s ideal for small spaces and can enhance the appearance of any Canadian home. Building a vertical garden is an enjoyable and imaginative way to beautify your living area, office, or balcony while improving air quality.
Don’t delay; begin planning your own vertical garden now!
Don’t delay; begin planning your own vertical garden now!
Colin Macmillan is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of Riverwood Landscape, a leading landscaping company based in Canada. He has been at the helm of the company since leaving high school, demonstrating his strong leadership skills and business acumen.
Colin’s expertise lies in various aspects of landscaping, including lawn care, interlocking, sod installation, and commercial maintenance. His hands-on approach and dedication to the craft have been instrumental in building Riverwood Landscape into a reputable brand.
One of his most notable achievements is the creation of a successful landscape franchise that services multiple locations. This accomplishment underscores his strategic thinking and ability to scale operations effectively.
Colin has also had the privilege of working with Guelph Hospital for landscaping and maintenance, a testament to the trust and reliability that his company has earned over the years.
His professional mission is to offer the best services and experiences for customers, a goal that he tirelessly pursues. Colin’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction continues to drive the growth and success of Riverwood Landscape.
