Expand Your Garden With Vertical Garden
Vertical gardens are typically used as a decorative feature, adding color and life to urban cityscapes. But, many people don’t realize that the benefits of vertical gardening go far beyond aesthetics. Vertical gardens can help the environment by reducing urban heat, delaying stormwater runoff, and improving indoor air quality. A vertical garden is also a practical way to grow food in less space, allowing you to maximize your growing ability in a small space.
If you’re a gardening enthusiast looking to maximize your garden space and create a stunning visual display, then a smart vertical garden may be the perfect solution for you. Vertical gardens, also known as living walls or green walls, have gained popularity in recent years due to their unique and space-saving design.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of a smart vertical garden and provide you with practical tips on how to create your own stunning vertical garden that can help you beautify your outdoor space and potentially outrank other websites in search engine results.
Understanding Vertical Gardens
A vertical garden is a type of garden that grows vertically, either on a wall or a free-standing structure. It’s a creative and innovative way of gardening that allows you to grow plants in a vertical orientation, rather than in traditional horizontal beds or pots. Vertical gardens can be created using a variety of techniques and materials, such as wall-mounted planters, modular panels, trellises, and more. They can be designed to fit any space, from small balconies to large walls, making them a versatile option for gardeners with limited space or looking to create a unique focal point in their outdoor area.
The Basics of Vertical Gardening
When it comes to the “wow!” factor, no one does vertical gardening like French botanist Patrick Blanc, known as the “father of living walls.” His gardens run up entire faces of multistory buildings and large walls inside corporate lobbies. Blanc’s stunning vertical gardens are nourished by elaborate soilless hydroponic systems that keep greenery thriving.
These impressive projects are giving creative home gardeners food for thought. In the past, vertical spaces have gone bare on patios, decks, balconies, fences, and yards, but that is changing. There’s a whole movement blossoming to maximize those overlooked upright spaces and add new dimensions to your gardening palette. Vertical gardens for the home expand your planting space, turn walls or fences into focal points, and show off your garden mastery.
You don’t need to possess Blanc’s experience or artistic eye to create a vertical garden. It’s something beginners can do. “It’s quite easy for the home gardener to tap into living walls modestly,” said Susan Morrison, a Northern California residential landscape designer, Master Gardener, and co-author of “Garden Up! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces.” Morrison notes that she loves stepping outside and snipping herbs for the kitchen from the wall right next to her back door.
But Colleen Dudley, a senior horticulturist at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, suggests that you ease into your first vertical garden. “It can be cool looking and novel,” she said, “but you might want to start small because when it comes to Automatic Self Watering Garden and plant maintenance, vertical gardening can be labor-intensive.”
Container Systems
Unlike the costly soilless method used in major projects, beginners first need to choose a container system to hold potting soil and plants. According to Morrison, the four to consider include tray systems, pocket systems, kits, and create-your-own solutions.
Trays have many grid-like plastic planting sections held together in a frame. You put the unit flat on a table to pack each cell with soil and a plant or two and then mount it on the wall. The cells are slanted so the soil does not fall out. These come in modular sections that can be snapped together to expand your living wall.
The pocket or pouch system works well for both Indoor smart gardens and outdoor plantings. These felt like pockets wick moisture to your plants while having a plastic barrier to keep walls dry. They come in a large variety of sizes and configurations.
Kits can provide just the raw materials for a framework that you construct yourself or a box with a planting diagram to show you exactly what to do. If you prefer instant gratification, purchase a completed “living picture” shipped with the greenery in place and ready to hang.
Not a kit type? Some inventive do-it-yourselfers eschew boxed solutions, instead of turning anything from a discarded hanging pocket shoe organizer, old gutters, or a dented teakettle into a vessel fit for wall-mounted plants. Your imagination is the only limit here.
Read More: How To Turn A Small Space Into A Big Harvest With Vertical Garden
Maintaining Your Vertical Garden
Like any other garden, a smart vertical garden requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips for maintaining your vertical garden:
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Water regularly: Vertical gardens can dry out more quickly than traditional gardens due to their vertical orientation, so it’s essential to water them regularly. Monitor the moisture levels of the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly to ensure the plants receive enough water without becoming waterlogged.
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Prune and trim: Regularly prune and trim the plants in your vertical garden to promote healthy growth and maintain the desired shape and size. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves, flowers, or stems to prevent disease or pest infestation.
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Fertilize appropriately: Vertical gardens may require additional nutrients due to the limited soil volume. Choose a balanced and water-soluble fertilizer that is suitable for the types of plants in your vertical garden, and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Monitor for pests and diseases: Keep a close eye on your vertical garden for any signs of pests or diseases. Early detection is key to preventing the spread of pests or diseases, so regularly inspect the plants and take appropriate measures, such as using organic or chemical-based pest control methods, to keep them in check.
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Clean and maintain the structure: Regularly clean and maintain the structure of your vertical garden to ensure its stability and longevity. Remove any debris, dust, or cobwebs from the structure, and make any necessary repairs or adjustments to keep it in good condition.
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Update and rearrange: Over time, the plants in your vertical garden may outgrow their allotted space or need to be rearranged for aesthetic purposes. Be prepared to update and rearrange your vertical garden as needed to maintain its visual appeal and health.
Tips for Success Vertical Garden
For the highest rates of success with your vertical garden, monitor moisture levels carefully. Because the plants are growing in a minimal amount of soil, they tend to dry out more frequently than those in the ground. Many gardeners install automatic drip watering systems for their walls or choose to display them in protected areas that do not get full sun all day.
Another consideration is planting matching. “You have to make sure they will all do well with the same amount of water,” said Dudley. For example, although both herbs and succulents work equally well on living walls, herbs need a lot of water and succulents need little, and that makes them less compatible.
Grow Fresh Healthy Food patterns are also of concern. If you use trailing species, place them near the bottom so as not to shade out and kill what is trying to grow beneath them. Plants that hug the ground or are naturally dwarfed will stay close to the wall and take well to snipping and shearing. For a more attractive look, avoid plants that get leggy or have lots of woody stems showing. Add more interest to your design by taking into account the colors, textures, and aromas of your choices. Wanting to reach out and touch or smell your vertical garden elevates the effectiveness of your wall and moves any garden in new directions.
“Whether you live in an apartment, townhouse, or single-family home with lots of yards,” said Morrison, “we all have vertical spaces just waiting for us to exploit their potential.”
Benefits of Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens offer numerous benefits that make them an attractive option for both avid gardeners and beginners alike. Here are some of the key advantages of incorporating a smart vertical garden into your outdoor space:
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Space-saving: Vertical gardens are an excellent solution for those with limited outdoor space. By utilizing vertical surfaces, you can maximize your garden space and create a lush, green display even in small areas.
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Aesthetic appeal: Vertical gardens add a striking visual element to any outdoor space. They can be designed in various patterns, colors, and textures, creating a visually stunning and unique display that can enhance the overall aesthetics of your garden or outdoor area.
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Improved air quality: Plants are natural air purifiers, and vertical gardens can help improve the air quality in your outdoor space. They can filter pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen, creating a healthier environment for you and your family.
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Noise reduction: Vertical gardens can also help reduce noise pollution by absorbing and blocking out sound waves. This can be particularly beneficial if you live in a noisy urban environment or near a busy road.
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Enhanced biodiversity: Vertical gardens can provide a habitat for various beneficial insects, birds, and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in your outdoor space and contributing to the overall ecosystem.
Conclusion
A smart vertical garden can be a stunning addition to your outdoor or indoor space, providing beauty, functionality, and environmental benefits. With careful planning, thoughtful plant selection, and proper maintenance, you can create a thriving vertical garden that enhances your space and promotes a greener lifestyle. Remember to consider factors such as sunlight, plant selection, structure, soil, irrigation, and maintenance to create a successful and sustainable vertical garden. Happy gardening!
Best Smart Vertical Garden That You Can Buy
1. 6-Ft Raised Garden Bed – Vertical Garden Freestanding Elevated Planter
6-Ft Raised Garden Bed – Vertical Garden Freestanding Elevated Planter
Raised Garden Bed – Vertical Garden
- Easy to assemble with a perfect solution for a narrow space, with easy-to-follow instructions included, assembling your garden pots will be quick and simple. Each plastic hanging container measures 27″; and provides suitable space for your plants without wasting precious space in a small apartment, balcony, or any other outdoor space. Grow a variety of herbs, seeds, flowers, succulents, or vegetables in an area at home.
- Modern and Aesthetic Ergonomic Design: If you can’t enjoy gardening due to hip and back problems, this is the product you are looking for. Having an agricultural garden has never been easier, especially for the elderly. Add unique beauty and style to your patio, patio, or patio.
2. Semblis Vertical Planter Raised Garden Bed with Extra Gardening Gloves
Semblis Vertical Planter Raised Garden Bed with Extra Gardening Gloves
6ft Standing Tiered – 4 Box Planters
- Grow Fresh Healthy Food (fruits and vegetables) – the perfect solution for those with limited space. The 1.6ft raised garden bed allows you to grow more products in a small area, such as a balcony, terrace, or patio. Or use it as an Indoor smart garden during the colder months. It’s a big jar of strawberries!
- Includes 4 boxes of pots, available in 3 different colors Growing a variety of fruits and vegetables all year round. Easy access for irrigation. Each flower pot box includes a lower filter to allow for efficient drainage.
- Gardening Gloves Included: Each order receives a pair of gardening gloves. These high-quality gloves have removable claws for easy digging. The combination of garden pot and gardening gloves is also a great gift package.
