“A simple internet
search for
vertical
garden
will yield plenty of
unique planters.”
Keep your plants in mind when choosing a
structure to grow on. You need to be sure your
structure will support the size and weight of
your plants at harvest. Heavier fruits will do
better with pergolas or arches, whereas beans
will do well on lighter structures like trellises.
If you are planting in a container, make sure
it will support the size of the mature plant. It
is difficult to transplant a vertically growing
plant attached to a structure, and you don’t
want to stunt its growth.
Plants growing upward tend to dry out faster
and may need water more often. If you are
growing in soil, mulching can go a long way
with conserving water.
Types of Vertical Gardens
There are many companies creating vertical
gardening systems. Tower Gardens, like the
ones displayed in O’Hare Airport, can supply
your family with endless lettuce and herbs,
and their small footprint makes them ideal
for growing indoors.
A simple internet search for “vertical
garden” will yield plenty of unique planters,
such as metal room dividers that hold terra
cotta pots, felt garden walls with pockets to
plant in, and self-watering containers you
can hang on your wall.
Although the upfront costs can be expen-
sive, the discount on your grocery bill may
pay off in the long run, but be sure to consider
the cost of lights and the electricity to run
them. Of course, you can remedy this problem
by growing with these systems outdoors or
making DIY systems.
DIY Vertical Garden Ideas
Using Pipes and Gutters
You can mimic designs using supplies such
as gutters or PVC pipes. You can also grow
vertically in soil. A simple trellis was the
original vertical garden. Teepees made from
bamboo or young birch trees help maximize
your harvest of beans, peas, and cucumbers.
Cattle panels and pergolas make excellent
arches and tunnels for squashes, nasturtiums,
grapes, and kiwis.
Tuteurs and Obelisks
Tuteurs and obelisks are an attractive way to
train your plants upward. They are beautiful
trellises common in English gardens. Tuteurs
are pyramidal and obelisks are round or
rectangular. They can be made from wood or
metal in a variety of designs. They work best
with vining plants such as tomatoes, beans,
peas, morning glories, and moon flowers.
52
Maximum Yield