Vertical farming is the latest hustle to earn money by growing your own organic crops. But Despite what you may think, you don’t need to go for large-scale vertical farms.
A simple vegetable wall in your home is an exceptional way to save money and take on a relaxing hobby. The best part is that you’ll know the exact source of your food.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing food in a limited space:
1 – Needed Equipment
The first and most important step of vertical farming is assembling the farm. You must ensure you have sturdy equipment that can hold all your plants.
There really isn’t a wrong way to build a vertical farm. As long as you secure your farm onto a wall and stack the pots on top of each other you’re good to go.
Some excellent systems include using wire racks, hanging pots, or strong shelves. You can also go for modular units (those are more expensive).
2 – Pick the Location
The right location is essential for your plants to thrive. Since you’re growing the plants indoors, you should choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight.
A wall in front of a south-facing window would be ideal. If you don’t have an appropriate area in your home, grow lights will be a lifesaver.
Vegetables also require highly humid environments. So you could invest in a humidifier if you live in a dry area.
3 – Assess Your Growing Medium
Farming indoors is a hassle for many, especially beginners. For this reason, you may find that using different growing mediums can make matters easier.
For example, crushed gravel and hydroponic media are mess-free methods that result in healthy vegetables. They’re also beginner-friendly!
4 – Choosing the Right Vegetables to Grow
It’s important to understand that indoor farming yields significantly different results than regular farming. Accordingly, you shouldn’t expect to grow vegetables that require a large area such as potatoes and root vegetables.
On the other hand, leafy greens like lettuce, kale, spinach, and chard are the best vegetables if you have limited space. They’re also easy to grow if you find vertical farming is challenging enough.
You can then start experimenting with other plants, such as herbs and cherry tomatoes. Over time, you might even find yourself completely dependent on your vertical garden!
5 – Vertical Farming Tips
Here are a couple of tips to help you start your vertical farming journey:
- Start Slow: Farming is generally difficult. You don’t want to begin with a large vegetable wall that’ll eventually overwhelm you. A couple of plants are perfect until you get the hang of things.
- Try Multiple Plants: When it comes to vertical gardening, experimenting will give you the best results. That’s because each home and wall is different. So don’t be afraid to try your luck with exotic vegetables.
- Use Organic Fertilizers: Having an accessible vegetable wall means you’ll have organic fertilizer readily available. All you have to do is add kitchen scraps to the plant pots for healthy vegetables.
- Deal With Pests and Infestations Immediately: You can think of all the plants in your vegetable wall as a garden. They might be in different pots but the limited space means any small pest will turn into an infestation. You must accordingly pay attention and treat any issues promptly.
Final Thoughts
There you have it; an eye-catching way to grow food in small spaces. All you need are some basic equipment, a suitable location and growing medium, and a little know-how.
Feel free to share your experience with vertical farming in the comments!
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.