A vertical garden or living wall is an excellent way that you can make space in a space without having to do a full landscape makeover. A vertical garden can include all sorts of plants including: vegetables, special vine like plants, herbs and may others.
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Pick a spot
The structure
Fertiliser injection (fertigation)
Attaching plastic sheets
Making an irrigation system
Adding fertiliser injectors
Choosing your plants
best 16 plants for vertical gardens
These gardens are not only great for saving on space but for creating living art on any wall. Here are some tips for creating a brilliant vertical garden living wall.
The infographic below shows how you can assemble various different wall gardens.
Source: Fix.com Blog
To build your own vertical garden, please follow our guide below
Pick a spot
An excellent vertical garden needs to have room to grow and this means picking a wall that you would like to showcase. Consider the amount of light and temperature in the area where you are planning the vertical garden.
The structure
There are many different types of vertical gardens, you can build a hydroponic vertical system or use soil in pots to grow vertically. Using a frame structure to direct the growth off the wall will ensure the plants will branch out across the frame rather than embed themselves into your brick. You can build your own vertical garden structure or purchase a kit.
Fertiliser injection (fertigation)
A fertiliser injection system will help to make sure your plants can grow little faster and reach the top of your wall without issues. Read on Wiki
So what about the build?
Building a frame would be the best place to start; you can create this from fabric, plastic sheeting and a frame. If you have an unpleasant wall this would be a great place to attach the vertical garden.
A brick wall will retain some heat during the summer months and slowly release this after sun-down. Utilising this heat will help you to grow some plants that thrive in hotter climates.
Attaching plastic sheets
¾ inch PVC pipe is great for this type of garden. You can use plastic sheeting to keep the water off the wall, expanded PVC sheets will do the same job. The material used will help your plants hold water and in-turn survive longer.
Do keep in mind you will need an absolute minimum of two layers of fabric, galvanized screws and stainless steel staples to achieve the best results.
Making an irrigation system
If you want to have plants growing well on a vertical wall, then you will need a proper irrigation system to allow enough moisture.
A poly tubing possessing lockable fittings will give you the drip down irrigation supplies you need to make it happen. A quick flow of water for up to about 15 seconds, a few times a week will suffice.
Adding fertiliser injectors
Fertilising will be much more efficient if done with a fertiliser injector. Hooking this up to your irrigation system and water source will make it much easier to obtain great results.
Choosing your plants
Much like it is with gardening on a horizontal plane, you will need to take sunlight, shade, humidity and weather into account as you move on, whatever your choice is make sure you are using plants suitable to your local climate.
Insert the plants in the outer layer of the fabric by using a razor blade, cutting horizontally and inserting the plant inside.
Here are the best 16 plants for a vertical garden living wall
In the sun plants
- Green Beans
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Leafy vegetables
- Aloe vera
- Rocket
- Shaded plants
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Sorrel
- Watercress
Partly shaded plants
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Parsley
- Basil
- Chives
For more gardening tips and advice please contact us over at: https://gardenersforestdale.org.uk
