Gardening is one of the best ways to express your creativity and explore the different possibilities available to you. I bet you have looked into different gardening ideas right? Probably already have a garden and are looking to add some creative touches to the space.
Well, vertical gardening is the solution that will expose you to different ideas for you to recreate in your space. If you are ready to get started on your creative vertical garden, here are some of the key aspects to consider.
Types Of Plants
What kind of plants do you want to have in your vertical garden? This is a question you need to answer before getting started. It will help inform your purchasing decisions and also influence the location of your garden. The best thing is that you have a variety of choices to work with. These choices can be divided into 3 different groups including;
Edible Plants
As the name suggests, these are plants that are grown for human consumption. They are a great idea especially if you want to start harvesting homegrown food. Using vertical farming will allow the plants to take up less space and produce more yields. Some good examples of these plants include;
- Radishes
- Herbs like dill, parsley, and basil
- Greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Sweet potatoes.
Foliage Plants
Thinking of having a green leafy space for your vertical garden? Well, foliage plants are the best choice for you. The benefits of foliage plants are numerous and what better way than to have some in your home? To help you do this, here are some examples of foliage plants that do well in a vertical garden.
- Succulents
- Ferns
- Pothos
- Spider plants
- Caladium
- Bromeliads
These plants will thrive under different conditions with some being less maintenance compared to others. Doing some research into them will help you determine the type of foliage plants that will suit your space.
Flowering Plants
Annual flowering plants add a great look to your garden and attract some pretty-looking birds and butterflies. Some quality flowering plants that may suit your vertical garden include:
- Alyssum
- Violas
- Morning glory
- Hummingbird vine
- Begonias
- Scaevola
You can work with a mixture of flowering plants and flowers to add some diversity to your garden and allow for them to bloom in succession through the seasons.
Location
After determining the type of plants you want for your vertical garden, you’ll be in a better position to choose the perfect location. When it comes to finding the right location for your plants, you’ll need to get acquainted with their requirements. Here are some of the things you should consider.
- Sun Exposure
Some plants will require exposure to direct sunlight to help them thrive while others will wither under such conditions. You need to consider the type of plant you have and whether it prefers, direct sunlight or shade and some morning sun. This will help you find a strategic location for your vertical garden.
- Height
In most vertical gardens, you’ll find some vines and climbing plants that add to the overall look and feel. If you plan to add vines to your garden, consider their maximum height when matured. With this, you’ll find the right space that allows them to grow fully without limitations.
- Weight
Edible plants tend to feature a lot of produce that can at times increase their weight significantly. Ensure that such plants are situated in a location that can comfortably support their growth.
The best thing about vertical gardens is that you can either have them indoors or outdoors. For indoor spaces, you’ll be a bit limited but you can create a balcony garden and add some plants in your rooms as well. With an outdoor space, you’ll have more freedom to explore and create the perfect garden.
Tools Required
Starting a vertical garden will require you to invest in specific tools that will help you along your journey. These tools are designed to help make your gardening experience easier and more functional. Here are tools for you to consider.
Frames or Wall Planters
Frames and wall planters are designed to be the base of your vertical garden. The frames come in handy to ensure that you plant in your desired area with ease. There are different types available in the market. Take a look at a few options to figure out which ones work best for the design you are going for. Additionally, you can consider custom-making the frames if you want to have specific features added.
Hooks
Is your vertical garden going to be a permanent or temporary installation? Figuring this out will help to ensure that the frame is installed appropriately. If you are looking to work with a permanent vertical garden, go with frames that attach to the wall. However, if your garden is going to be a temporary installation, invest in some durable hooks. With these hooks, you can easily hang your frame and remove it when you want to.
Fertilizer Injector
If you’ll be using fertilizer in your vertical garden, this injector will come in handy. It is designed to make feeding each plant easier to ensure that they all get the necessary nutrients. Additionally, using a fertilizer injector will help automate and speed up the process.
Irrigation System
The best way to keep up with the water needs of the plants in your native garden is by having an irrigation system. You can opt to work with drip irrigation that can be automated to ensure that your plants are sufficiently watered. Doing this will keep your plants healthy and result in a better-looking garden all through the year.
Vertical Garden Design
This is the part where you let your imagination soar and design the garden to suit your preference. Whether your vertical garden is going to be indoors or outdoors, you have the freedom to design and experiment with different approaches. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the design of your vertical garden. Here are some vertical garden ideas that would give you some inspiration.
- Hanging wall planter garden
This garden can be done as a DIY and is quite an easy project to complete. All you’d need to do is get some planters and sturdy ropes to hold them up.
- Pocket garden
There is a variety of pocket garden options in different stores but you can also choose to DIY using an over-the-door shoe organizer. If you choose to DIY, remember to factor in drainage and add some holes.
- Ladder shelving
Ever wondered what to do with an old wooden ladder that you don’t use anymore? Well, you can easily turn it into a functional vertical garden and enjoy its aesthetic look and convenience.
The secret to designing a creative vertical garden is finding inspiration from what others have done. This will give you different ideas that you can tweak and make your own to create the perfect vertical garden for you.
