So you’re thinking about growing a vertical garden but don’t know where to start. We’ve got your back!
Today, we’ll discuss seven useful tips for vertical garden growing that should apply to new and existing gardens alike.
Ready for that garden to grow and thrive? Read on!
7 Vertical Garden Tips
For vertical gardening to be a success, consider using the following tips in your journey.
Tip #1: Choose a Good Location
A critical first step to growing a thriving vertical garden, or any kind of garden for that matter, is to pick a good location.
If you’re using hanging planters, place them where you can see them easily but where you wouldn’t easily hit your head on them at the same time. For ground planters, keep them out of your and your pet’s way.
The same approach should be taken for indoor vertical gardens. Hanging plants should be high enough not to bump your head into but easy enough to water. Walls are some of the best locations for vertical gardens as they would likely allow you to accomplish all these both indoors and outdoors.
Tip #2: Plant Type and Location Should Align
Your location may only be as good as the plants you choose, and vice versa; after choosing a location, research plants that would thrive in that location. You can also do it the other way around and choose your plants first, depending on your circumstances.
A garden that already has plants is another story. In that case, it’s important to categorize your plants and learn which ones to keep and which to let go of. For example, you could have vines in there that would hog all the space and nutrients, stunting the growth or even killing the others.
Understand how your plants grow, so you can organize and arrange them for optimal growth. Learn to let go of other plants that do not fit into your vertical gardening system.
Tip #3: Make Sure Structures can Support Plants
Wherever you choose to plant your babies, make sure they can grow and thrive there.
The weight of your planters is key to this, particularly if it’s on the heavy side. As plants start growing and increasing in weight, planters might no longer be able to support them. Thus, the planters could fall over and break apart.
That’s why lighter plants are recommended in vertical gardening. The lighter they are, the easier they are to keep hanging or support against the wall.
Consider the circumstances surrounding your vertical gardening journey. For instance, is it indoors or outdoors? Are you growing it in a permanent residence or a temporary one?
The answers to these and other related questions help you pick out the type of structures to use as your plants’ homes. In a way, they also help you figure out the best plants for your situation.
Lighter plants are ideal, but you can always opt for heavier ones if you have your own place with space and structures to spare.
Tip #4: Make the Most of What you Have
What do you have there that you can use to level up your vertical gardening? There’s bound to be stuff in the shed or the garage that should help enhance that walled garden. Do some digging and get creative.
Old shelves and dressers are great additions to both indoor and outdoor gardens. These pieces of furniture have a great vertical placement that you can take advantage of for this type of gardening. An old desk should provide great support for many of your babies, too.
And if your garden is outside. There should be plenty of yards and fence space to spare. If not, you can try to make some!
Tip #5: Try not to Start From Seeds
Of course, you can if you really want to. However, ideally, it would be best to start with weeks-old plants that have grown a bit horizontally. Doing so ensures the roots settle in nicely and are strong enough to keep the soil intact.
Tip #6: Protect the Walls and Floors
Indoor or outdoor vertical garden, potential water damage to floors and walls is a crucial consideration. If your garden isn’t too sizable, the good idea is to place a tray underneath for holding drainage.
An outdoor garden can do with a tray, too. However, it would be best to place your garden somewhere where the water drains away. It would be less work for the gardener this way.
Tip #7: Use Quality Soil
This is true for any type of garden. It won’t matter how beautiful your plants are or your garden design is; you can’t grow a thriving garden using poor soil.
Use nutrient-enriched soil and swear by the other tips above, and you should be able to grow a thriving vertical garden in no time!
Conclusion
That’s how you help your garden grow and thrive!
Like any type of garden, some factors beyond your control may influence its success. The weather, for instance, can be especially impactful on an outdoor garden.
That said, progress isn’t a straight line and you will get where you need to be when you keep at it!
