What's Vertical Vegetable Gardening?
What is Vertical Vegetable Gardening?
Vertical gardening has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to grow plants in limited spaces.
This type of gardening involves growing plants vertically rather than horizontally, making use of walls, fences, and other vertical surfaces.
Plants can be grown in soil, hydroponically, or with other forms of soil-less growing methods. The practice of vertical gardening has become more popular as people look for ways to grow food and ornamental plants in small urban spaces. It is also a great way to make use of small balconies and rooftops.
In the background, I have cucumbers growing on a fence and tomatoes in DIY wooden cages.
How does vertical gardening work?
Vertical gardening works by utilizing a variety of techniques to grow plants in a vertical plane. These techniques include using structures like trellises and walls to support plants, as well as soil-less growing methods like hydroponics.
In hydroponic vertical gardens, plants are grown in a nutrient-rich solution instead of soil, and they are supported by vertical racks or towers.
Why is vertical gardening so popular?
Vertical gardening has become popular for a number of reasons. For one, it allows people to grow plants in small spaces where traditional gardening is not possible. Vertical gardens also offer a unique and attractive way to decorate outdoor and indoor spaces. They are also a great way to increase the yield of a small space, whether for food or ornamental plants.
Examples of Vertical Gardening
There are many different ways to create a vertical garden, depending on the space available and the plants you want to grow. Here are a few examples of vertical gardening:
1. Living Wall -
Living walls are a type of vertical garden that uses a wall-mounted structure to grow plants in a soil-based or soil-less medium. The plants are typically chosen for their aesthetic appeal, and they can be grown indoors or outdoors.
2. Tower Garden -
A tower garden is a vertical garden that uses a vertical tower to grow plants in a hydroponic system. These gardens are perfect for small spaces, and they can be used to grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
3. Trellis -
A trellis is a simple structure that can be used to support climbing plants like tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers. Trellises are perfect for small gardens and can be placed against a wall or fence.
This are two DIY ways to grow tomatoes on a trellis or wooden cages.
4. Hanging Baskets -
Hanging baskets are a simple way to create a vertical garden. They can be hung from a porch or balcony and filled with a variety of flowers or herbs.
Here are a few examples of affordable DIY vertical gardens:
1. Pallet Garden -
One simple way to create a vertical garden is to use an old pallet. Simply attach planters to the pallet, fill them with soil or a soil-less growing medium, and plant your favorite herbs or vegetables. Pallet gardens are perfect for small spaces, and they can be used indoors or outdoors. Some good plants to grow in pallet gardens include lettuce, strawberries, and herbs like basil and mint.
2. PVC Pipe Garden -
Another simple and affordable way to create a vertical garden is to use PVC pipes. Cut the pipes into sections, drill holes into them, and attach them to a wall or fence. Fill the pipes with soil or a hydroponic growing medium, and plant your favorite vegetables or herbs. Some good plants to grow in PVC pipe gardens include tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
3. Living Wall -
If you want to create a more elaborate vertical garden, consider building a living wall. Living walls can be made using a variety of materials, including wooden frames, wire mesh, and plastic panels. Fill the panels with soil or a hydroponic growing medium, and plant a variety of herbs, and vegetables. Living walls are perfect for adding a touch of greenery to indoor spaces, and they can help improve air quality. Some good plants to grow in living walls include lettuces, and herbs like thyme and sage.
Vertical gardening is an excellent way to grow vegetables in small spaces and maximize your garden's potential. Many types of vegetables grow well in vertical gardens, and some of them are particularly suited to this type of growing.
Here are some examples of vegetables that grow well vertically:
1. Tomatoes -
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables for vertical gardens. They grow tall and need support, making them perfect for trellises or cages. There are many different varieties of tomatoes to choose from, including cherry, roma, beefsteak, and heirloom.
This is a decorative trellis or obelisk for a tomato cage.
2. Cucumbers -
Cucumbers are another popular vegetable for vertical gardens. They grow best when they can climb up a trellis or other support. Cucumbers have long vines, so it's important to give them enough space to grow. Some good varieties of cucumbers for vertical gardens include bush cucumbers and pickling cucumbers.
This could be a structure to grow cucumbers.
3. Pole Beans -
Pole beans are an excellent vegetable for vertical gardens because they grow tall and need support. They produce large yields and are easy to grow. Some good varieties of pole beans include Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, and Scarlet Runner.
4. Peppers -
Peppers are a great vegetable for vertical gardens because they don't need a lot of space and can be grown in containers or hanging baskets. They come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes, and they add a lot of flavor to your meals. Some good varieties of peppers for vertical gardens include jalapenos, bell peppers, and banana peppers.
5. Peas:
Peas or any kind grow well on short trellises. I find that a 3 foot chicken wire or hog fence works well to help these from falling over and conserve space in the garden
6. Salad Greens -
Salad greens, such as lettuce, arugula, and spinach, are perfect for vertical gardens because they don't need a lot of space to grow or have require alot of soil depth for the root systems. They can be grown in containers or in small pockets on a living wall.
In conclusion, many types of vegetables can be grown vertically in small spaces. You may choose to create a living wall, tower garden, trellis, or hanging baskets full of herbs.
There are many different ways to create a vertical garden that suits your needs and space. Whether you're growing tomatoes, cucumbers, pole beans, peppers, eggplants, or salad greens, vertical gardening can help you maximize your garden's potential and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce all season long.
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