For gardeners who lack a lot of horizontal space, want to conceal an unsightly wall, or simply want something new, vertical gardens are an option.
We spoke with Philip Yates, owner of the Singer Hill Cafe in Oregon City and creator of the website The Vertical Garden Institute, for guidance on creating vertical gardens. Yates claims that in addition to using the book The Vertical Garden by Patrick Blanc, a botanist widely regarded as the founder of vertical gardens, as a guide, he also learned from making a lot of mistakes.
Select a wall to begin with. The wall you want to remodel is the one that is unattractive, according to Yates. The good news is that practically any wall will work, and you don’t need to worry about weight load unless you want to develop a really large vertical garden or grow trees.
It depends depend on the wall you select and how much sunlight it receives what plants you should choose. But if you want to experiment with a certain plant, pick a wall that will give it the ideal conditions for growth.
A vertical garden wall’s basic construction consists of a sandwich of three layers comprised of a frame, plastic sheeting, and cloth. Prior to hanging it, complete the entire setup. Although you can really attach it directly to a wall, Yates argues that it will be much simpler to remove if you build a frame to hang on the wall.
Yates constructs a frame out of 3/4-inch PVC tubing, elbows, and four-way joints. He discourages the use of metal (because to the added weight and cost) and wood (which needs to be pressure-treated to ward against moisture rot—you don’t want water getting caught between a wood wall and the frame’s plastic).
A plastic sheet should be fastened to the frame. The plastic supports the cloth layer and deflects water away from the wall. Yates employs sheets of expanded PVC. (Note: You’ll need to ventilate behind if you wish to do this on a wood wall.)
affix the cloth layer to the frame. Your plants will dwell in this substance, which will also serve as their water container. Yates adds that you can use almost anything that can hold onto water without decaying. He has utilized simple felt carpet padding.
A minimum of two layers of cloth are required. As if you were stretching canvas across a frame, fasten them to it directly using stainless steel staples and galvanized screws. You’re good to go as long as the cloth is tight and secure, without any buckling or creases. Simply fix it in some way such that it won’t come off and that it looks nice, advises Yates.
You’ll need an irrigation system that can supply moisture throughout the cloth layer to keep plants thriving on a vertical surface. One can be created using poly tubing and locking fittings (Yates uses Perma-Loc irrigation fittings). It resembles a tube that runs the length of your panel and has emitters at either end that drip water. Purchase them from an irrigation source for the best results.
A propagation timer that may be set for seconds rather than minutes is required, although you can purchase a regular valve and irrigation drippers. Depending on the weather and your specific configuration, you want a fast flow of water for 10 to 15 seconds three to six times per day. In order to keep the wall moist without overwatering the plants, attach an emitter every 2 to 3 inches along the top irrigation tube and experiment.
Utilizing stainless steel hardware, fasten the frame to the wall (to avoid rusting). If you anticipate wanting to take the frame down, hooks are excellent; otherwise, brackets screwed into the wall and the frame will also work.
Use an irrigation valve that distributes liquid fertilizer into the irrigation system along with a fertilizer injector, such as Add-It, to fertilize your wall. The irrigation system should then be connected to your water supply and hooked up. A cheap irrigation water filter, which is simple to use, is all you’ll need to filter the water.
Keep in mind that there will be some runoff; one solution is to create a flower bed beneath your vertical garden.
When selecting plants that you’ll leave outside all year, consider factors such as sun, shade, humidity, wind, and cold. Yates advises choosing plants for a colder zone than the one you reside in if you plan to leave the garden outside throughout the winter. For instance, zone 9 is Oregon City, yet Yates plants at least a 6 and typically in the range of 3 to 5.
You might want to consider storing a removable wall you’re constructing with evergreens over the winter, when the plants are dormant, in a cool, dry location.
Hostas, iberis, phlox, ferns, weigela, and even blueberries are a few plants that have thrived in Yates’s walls. He claims that native plants seem to perform better than nonnative ones.
Make a horizontal slit in the fabric with a razor blade to allow plants to be inserted into the top layer. To prevent root rot, remove as much soil as you can from the plant’s root ball and place it in a cut. Create a secure envelope by stapling the fabric to the plastic backing in a semicircle around the root ball using three to five stainless steel staples.
Yates claims that arranging your plantings is the fun part, and a vertical garden’s height opens up a lot of opportunities.
Select plants that will extend 2 to 3 feet from the wall and place them at the top of the garden so they can cast shade beneath the wall. But bear in mind that if you do this, you’ll need to plant shade-tolerant species underneath, like ferns. A plant that is 8 feet off the ground will also frequently droop, according to Yates. You’ll need to clip it back since while it creates a lovely waterfall impression, it also smothers whatever that is underneath.
It’s a good idea to plant in vertical stripes, with sun-loving flowers in one strip and green shade plants in the other. Yates advises getting “over their heads” if you want to accomplish this with the greatest impact and to make your friends and neighbors’ jaws drop. The plant they would often notice at their feet requires them to look up at it.
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How are succulent walls grown?
Place larger plants in the ground first, then smaller ones. Plant your plants as closely as the grid will allow. Not every square will be planted, depending on the size of the plants. You might be able to see the wire after planting, but as the succulents grow, they will fill in the spaces.
Let It Root
For a week or two after planting, keep the living succulent photo flat and out of direct sunlight to allow cuttings to develop roots along the stems. Support stems with floral pins or craft clips for more security. Increase the light until you are fully exposed to the sun. For the first two weeks, avoid watering.
Put it on Display
Place the living succulent artwork on a shelf or table that can be used as a wall prop. Or use strong picture hooks to hang the frame on the wall. When watering succulents, fully hydrate the soil, place the frame on a flat surface, and water once a month. Before hanging the frame back up, make sure it is dry. Protect plants from the midday sun in hot climates. Put a living succulent image close to a south-facing window if you’re indoors.
What supplies do I need to create a vertical garden?
It won’t take you long to understand that there are many different types of materials to choose from when you begin to weigh all of your alternatives. Determining which materials are suitable for constructing the various types of vertical gardening systems can be difficult.
I wanted to break it down so you could chose what to use in your garden because there are so many different materials that can be used to create a vertical garden.
I’ve thus listed a few of the most popular vertical gardening supplies below. I’ll give you a brief description of each one, along with the benefits and drawbacks, so you can decide for yourself.
Wood
One of the most common materials used to construct vertical gardening projects is wood. It is simple to work with, widely accessible, and useful for creating many types of vertical gardens.
It’s ideal to pick a wood that is naturally rot resistant, like cedar, because wood rots with time, especially the areas that are buried in the ground.
Naturally rot-resistant wood is typically more expensive to purchase, making pressure treated wood a potentially more cost-effective option. However, a lot of individuals are concerned that it’s risky to use, particularly in their vegetable garden.
The use of freshly pressure-treated wood in vegetable gardens is thought to be safe. Wood that was treated prior to the early 2000s, however, can contain arsenate, a substance that can seep into the soil.
Despite this, chemicals are still used in the processing of pressure-treated wood. It is up to you to choose whether to use it in your vegetable garden or keep to using untreated, natural materials.
Metal
Trellises, obelisks, and arches made of metal are frequently utilized in vertical gardens. Its beauty and toughness are difficult to equal.
Metal is a robust, long-lasting, and attractive material that can be used for a vertical garden.
The major drawback of employing metal is that some varieties rust more quickly than others, and it can patina or rust with time. However, it’s not always a terrible thing. Many individuals adore the appearance of rusted or patinated metals in gardens.
Another factor to think about is the weight of some varieties, which can make them impractical for use in the construction of massive constructions.
Metal Fencing
Metal fencing is a typical alternative material for garden trellises. It’s affordable, simple to use, and I’m willing to guess that the majority of gardeners have unused rolls gathering dust in their garage.
Be sure to take the thickness of the metal into account when selecting the type of fencing for your project.
Thin wire garden fencing, such as chicken wire, is not sturdy enough to support itself. As a result, it will require additional support to prevent collapse.
Strong constructions can be built using stronger fencing constructed of thicker gauge metal, such as cattle panel fencing.
The major drawback of employing fencing for vertical food production is the possibility of mature large plants like cucumbers and squash becoming impaled on the fence.
Pots & Containers
There are many wonderful ways to use pots and planters as the building blocks for vertical gardens, which is interesting to discover. However, there are a few crucial factors to consider while picking your containers.
Different planters have different weights. They will then grow much heavier after they are loaded with wet soil. Therefore, while choosing the materials to use for hanging gardens, you should always consider the total weight of the planted container.
For hanging vertical gardens, clay, ceramic, or cement pots are too heavy and impractical to use. Look for planters constructed of lighter materials instead, such as plastic, wood, or wire.
To prevent drowning your plants, always check that your pots contain drainage holes. Before planting, drill some holes in the bottom of the planter if it doesn’t already have any.
Natural Materials
You might not need to travel much farther than your own backyard to find the supplies for vertical gardening.
You may use materials like branches, twigs, and grapevines to make impromptu supports in the garden. Tall plant stalks, such as those of corn or sunflowers, can also make excellent natural trellis materials.
The fact that these organic vertical garden supplies are free is a major plus. Additionally, you can just throw the entire thing, support included, into the compost bin when it’s time to pull your plants in the fall.
However, these materials are transient and not very robust. Therefore, be sure the plants you select will complement the structures you intend to build.
It is preferable to use them to cultivate annual plants that die after each growing season because they aren’t meant to be permanent.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another form of sturdy, rot-resistant natural material. It can be used to create extremely durable supports that will last for many years.
Bamboo works well for trellises, teepees, and other straightforward constructions like plant stakes. Additionally, it is quite simple to work with, and it enhances the beauty of any garden or container.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a steady supply of bamboo close at hand, you’re in business. In some cases, you can even obtain it for nothing. However, for some people, bamboo might be pricey and hard to come by.
Upcycled Materials
The possibilities for employing recycled materials for vertical gardening are only limited by your creativity.
At thrift shops and yard sales, you can pick up tons of entertaining materials for pennies. Or perhaps you’ll be fortunate and receive them for nothing! You can even discover undiscovered items in your garage or shed that you can recycle and use as components for vertical gardens.
Be cautious when utilizing anything painted before 1978 if you intend to use antiques or old goods, as the paint can contain lead.
Additionally, some materials will degrade or decay considerably more quickly outside in the garden. Therefore, before deciding to use it, consider how long it might last after it is exposed to the weather outside.
To create various supports and structures for your vertical garden, you may utilize a ton of great materials. However, you must be cautious while selecting products for your garden that are both useful and secure. It frequently depends on your location, your budget, and your own preferences for particular materials.
My most recent book, Vertical Vegetables, is ideal if you want to learn more about vertical farming and creating your own structures. It includes over 23 DIY projects you may create for your garden in addition to teaching you everything you need to know about vertical gardening. Place your order now!