Did you know you can have an endless supply of crisp, flavorful herbs and greens at home?
Before you say, “But I don’t have a yard,” hear me out.
Vertical gardening is perfect for anyone with limited space, even if you just have a sunny windowsill or balcony. And it’s crazy-easy to get started with the proper setup.
Learn how to transform your lifeless walls into lush, edible gardens. It’s time to get vertical and grow the freshest, most nutritious produce possible!
What Is Vertical Gardening?
Vertical gardening is a clever way to grow plants vertically, saving all that precious ground space you’d use in traditional garden beds or pots.
Instead of your plants spreading out horizontally, they grow upwards on a wall, trellis, or stacked tower structures. It’s the perfect solution for those with nonexistent yards, especially city dwellers.
Benefits of Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening is just plain smart!
You can pack tons of plants into a small footprint. An entire herb garden that would normally take over your backyard can thrive on a single wall or column.
With plants growing upwards, you can rig up a nifty drip irrigation system that puts water directly at the roots. Your plants can stay perfectly moist without sopping wet feet.
Because gravity!
The dangling stems also encourage airflow, and your greens get sun exposure on all sides.
Plus, vertical gardens are super low maintenance. With everything at eye level, plant care and harvesting are an absolute breeze.
No more kneeling or digging in the dirt!
And don’t vertical gardens look so dang cool? Just imagine walking into a room with an entire living wall of beautiful green foliage!
You can even use vertical gardening as a privacy screen if you’ve got a not-so-nice view to block. Those vibrant plant panels are way prettier than a boring fence if you ask me.
I mean, what’s not to love?
What Foods Can You Grow in Vertical Gardens?
Herbs are the quintessential vertical garden crop. Basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme grow like weeds when given the chance to trail upwards.
Leafy greens are another staple for vertical gardens. We’re talking lettuce varieties, spinach, kale, cabbage—you name it.
The leaves sprout out sideways while the roots grow down, so they take up very little actual space. Plus, no more uninvited visitors munching your crops!
With the right light, soil, and planters, the sky’s the limit to what you can grow.
Types of Vertical Garden Systems
You have a few main options in terms of the physical setup. It comes down to your space, budget, and how much of a green thumb you’ve got.
- Wall-Mounted Planters or Panels: A flat vertical surface with individual pockets or slots to hold each plant.
- Vertical Towers or Columns: A freestanding tower with stacked rings or boxes attached.
- Hanging Garden: Simple hanging baskets or whole structures with multiple levels of planters suspended from above (like a garden chandelier!).
You can buy premade kits, but true DIY-ers love building these vertical gardens from upcycled materials.
I’ve seen people get creative with everything from pallets to rain gutters!
No matter your setup, there’s usually some internal water reservoir or wicking system to make irrigation easy. You can also use automatic drip lines to make your vertical garden self-watering.
How to Set Up Your Vertical Garden
Setting up your vertical garden is easier than you might think!
- Pick the perfect spot for your vertical garden.
Most edible plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or west-facing wall or patio area is going to be your best bet.
If you’re working with limited indoor space, you’ll need grow lights to supplement the sunshine.
- Choose your setup.
Are you envisioning a full-blown living wall situation? Or do you prefer some hanging planters to maximize your square footage?
Your call!
The real trick with vertical gardens is mastering the watering routine.
Consistent moisture is everything for climbers and compact setups. Drip systems are pretty much the holy grail for no-stress irrigation.
- Prepare your soil.
Once your frame and planters are ready, you’ll get your hands dirty with the potting mix. Most greens do best with a nutrient-rich, well-draining blend.
- Plant!
Time to get your greens planted!
You can get a head start with starter plants or seedlings. But I always got a kick sprouting my seeds and watching those lil’ guys flourish.
Final Thoughts
Vertical gardening opens up so many possibilities for the space-challenged gardener who loves their herbs and greens farm-fresh.
You just need a blank wall and the right containers or planting pockets to start!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.