What is a Vertical Garden
A vertical garden is an upright structure that allows the plant to grow perpendicular instead of horizontally. The vertical garden was invented by Stanley White which is historically known for the green wall system between 1937 and 1938 finally this wall in his vision was constructed in 2012 to 2013. Patrick Blanc modernized Stanley White’s invention and transformed it to the modern vertical garden that we see today.
What are the Advantages of Using a Vertical Garden
Growing plants vertically takes full advantage of a surface which would normally be unused thereby allowing the space to become more productive. This type of garden is useful in assisting with the consumption of water used daily and is also good for the environment.
Generally, it creates a mini-irrigation system. Water flows from the top of the plant to the bottom and continues to water all the plants that are below. Vertical gardens also help to control pest infestations due to its vertical position which makes it more difficult for these insects to have full access to the plants.
This concept is also great in the assistance of pollination especially for bees and other insects which are helpful for plant growth. These gardens are the perfect solution for small spaces which seem to be very prevalent in our society today.
What are the Disadvantages of Using a Vertical Garden
This type of garden limits the amount plants that can be used vertically unless it's being mass produced commercially. Another disadvantage in having a vertical garden is it can cause damage to the structure where it's being constructed therefore, adequate care has to be given like pruning the plants to avoid overgrowth and damage to walls, trellises, fences, and other structures. Depending on what type of plant is grown on the structure it must be built to sustain the plant. Melons and pumpkins can grow to large sizes and must be placed on a foundation that will sustain it.
Which Plants Do Well in a Vertical Garden
There are some plants that do well in a vertical atmosphere one of which is lettuce. This vegetable will grow better to avoid insects from taking over the plant. Also, leafy green vegetables are great for planting on vertical gardens. Vines like sweet potatoes, cucumbers, beans will do very well provided they are well supported by the structure. Also, attention should be given the depth of the pockets or containers. Good research is adequate to make sure that the plant you have selected will not be overgrown in the containers.
Fruits like strawberries can be trained to grow vertically and will do very well with adequate care. Grapes are also another example of a fruit that requires the aid of a vertical supporting foundation. This vine is an example of a plant that is well worth planting with the fruits hanging from the structure makes a perfect backyard addition.
Herb, like thyme, basil, oregano, mint, and parsley are also recommended. Besides vegetables and herbs, plants such as climbing roses, bougainvillea, orchids, ferns, spider plants, succulents, and vines are also a suitable choice for a vertical garden.
Bromeliads are an excellent plant because they have shallow roots, and they occupy very little space. Succulents are self-sustaining plants which means they need very little attention and do well with little water and are also drought resistant.
Effective Commercial Grown Vertical Gardens
My first experience with a vertical garden was watching a television show featuring a massive indoor structure containing various vegetables grown on a commercial scale and they were doing very well because they were in a controlled environment. This production enabled food to be produced for the growing population creating a sustainable produce for the growing population.
The facility utilized the space by conserving on the amount of water used daily which is good for the environment. For the most part they were able to control pest and diseases which normally affect plant sustainability in this enclosed environment.
The end result was food production all year round and the availability to get to the local market easily avoiding spoilage of food and discarding the product. This therefore resulted in an effective market for food grown vertically.
Looking at the commercial model it is clear that it is possible to produce this type of farming on a smaller scale. This can be done anywhere from your back garden to an indoor space or a balcony or deck. Therefore, this eliminates the need to purchase all our food supply from the grocery stores.
How to Care for a Vertical Garden
Locate an area that has sufficient sunlight if your plant requires it. Otherwise place it with filtered light or in direct sunlight taking care not to overwater them. The best way to water is from the top of the plant and in doing this, the water will trickle to the bottom and continue to water the remaining plants. This method avoids wasting water and they were able to continuously conserve the amount of water used.
Next decide which plants you are interested in planting. Whether it’s a herb garden, perennials, or bulbs. You may just be interested in succulents or green plants of your choice.
Once you have made that decision have a plan as to where you want this garden located. Planning is usually a good way to get organized and you avoid having regrets once the structure is in place.
Making the Soil Work for You
Using a good soil mix to generate growth of the plants. The composition depends on where you are located but should consist of sand, silt and clay incorporated in equal parts. This creates balance in the soil for its texture and for the overall growth of the plant. Also, soil made of composing material from left over foods produces an organic material and becomes a rich product for the plant.
Adding other minerals like vermiculite which contains natural magnesium, aluminum, and iron silicate not only helps to add an essential nutrient but helps in the retention of water.
Perlite is also effective nutrient but is best used on plants that require very little water to survive. Plants like succulents or cactus plants can survive with limited amount of water because their natural habitat is a desert type of soil.
How Long Does It Take to Grow a Vertical Garden
Growing a vertical garden can take place anywhere from a few months to a couple of years and it all depends on what you are growing. Herbs and vegetables will be approximately two to three months and can be classified as short term.
Short Term
- melon
- pumpkin
- lettuce
- cucumbers
- beans
- kale
- green onions
- tomatoes
- radish
- spinach
- mint
- leafy green vegetables
- bok choi
Long Term
- climbing roses
- bougainvillea
- pothos
- spider plant
- fern
- orchid
- crouton
- lily tree
- climbing hydrangea
How Do You Transform Your Space into a Vertical Garden
Plan by either visualizing what you want to see in the space or by making a sketch. In this vision determine the size of the garden for the space you are allotting. Using an iron vertical trellis to support heavy vegetables is useful and if you prefer a larger garden add connecting pieces to make the trellis larger.
Mount the structure onto a fence or a brick wall. Plants like bougainvillea, climbing roses are the best ways to display them using this method in a garden. Using a fan trellis for smaller plants is another way to showcase the space. This structure can either be free standing which has the capability to accommodate small or large plants like tomatoes and cucumbers.
If your indoor or outdoor space is small by adding a mobile vertical garden bed is a solution. The planters are created like steps on a ladder and the use of this compact system is effective for annuals, herbs, and vegetables especially for small spaces or if you do not want to uproot the foundation of the yard.
Using a hanging vertical planter is a quick and easy way to get started. This method uses hanging pockets and are usually made from cloth. They are available in various sizes allowing you to grow various vegetables and plants on the same structure. This will sustain a variety of plants to grow at the same time in these pockets. Positioning plants according to their height is essential while using this method.
Making use of an existing structure like a fence and using it to hang planters is also useful and prevents the additional cost to purchase items to create vertical structures. All that is needed are the pots, a protective sheet for the fence and items to anchor the containers on to it.
Vertical Garden Transforms the Space
The vertical garden is a way of transforming the space vertically and takes us away from the traditional layout of gardening which is usually in a rectangular or square area placed horizontally. It helps in pollination easily as bees can easily find the plants to pollinate in their flight destination.
Are Vertical Gardens Sustainable
Vertical gardens are becoming more important to society with the increase in population and the demand for more food consumption. It is important to look at this method of growing food especially in a controlled environment. The production of this type of farming helps to eradicate diseases and pest infestation thereby producing a much more superior product. This method also assists in less consumption of water which helps with the environmental changes.
It is necessary as living spaces become smaller that we utilize what is available whether we are growing herbs and plants in our living rooms to our back yards.
A disadvantage in growing these crops on a small scale limits the type of plants that can grow well vertically. Besides this, the advantages outweigh this setback. Overall, they are sustainable especially when grown commercially.
A look at the Vertical Method
Stanley White and Patrick Blanc have given us an insight into the possibilities of using the atmosphere to create beauty and sustainability for the future. Otherwise, we would be continuing to use the old method of producing our own crop and miss the opportunity to experience a constructive way to assist in combating food shortage for our population growth.
I am not suggesting that the other method of farming is not productive because it is, but the vertical farm allows us to grow food indoors in huge warehouses and produce sustainable food that can reach the market much faster especially if it is being produced closer instead of being transported by the trucking industry which takes a much longer time to reach the market for consumption. Also, because there is the possibility of reducing pests that causes a lot of damage to crops. The end product is a much healthier produce.
It is possible that the traditional farming method uses sprays to control pests and it is difficult to remove this totally from the food and we end up consuming some of these pesticides into our bodies creating all kinds of health issues. Switching to the vertical method reduces this pesticide consumption because of the controlled environment. Or growing your own vegetables and herbs are certainly ways of being sure that there are no pesticides on your food, and this is the organic method which is definitely healthier to consume even in compact spaces.
As your garden begin to flourish, add your own personal touch like solar lights, bird houses, ponds, statues, and ornaments to create your special place. For the plants that are considered long term meaning taking over a year to grown and to look lush or full, be patient and prune as needed. Eventually you will be happy that the project that was started a year ago is beginning to come together to create what you had envisioned.