Maximum Yield USA June 2018 | Page 53

“Vertical gardens can be true works of art.” Gazebos Gazebos look stunning with grapes or hops growing on them and make for sweet sitting areas or outdoor kitchens. Pallet Gardens DIY pallet gardens standing up next to a wall make good use of vertical space. Staple garden fabric to the back of the pallet, fill the pallet with dirt, plant your herbs and greens, and lean the pallet up against a wall once your plants establish their roots. Stacking Pots An easy DIY vertical planter can be made by stacking terra cotta pots. You can use a pole to slide them over, or stack descending sizes directly on top of one another after they have been filled with soil. You can even use two-liter plastic bottles as pots and connect them so they hang vertically. You can hang them outdoors or indoors in a window where the sun will help you avoid an expensive power bill. Add a drip system to make it a low-maintenance wall or window garden. Hill Gardens Hügelkultur, or hill gardens, use vertical space to maximize harvests in smaller spaces. Instead of planting in a flat raised bed, your crops are planted in the sides of a hill, increasing your yield in the process. Vertical gardens can be true works of art. Walls covered in succulents or ferns in a rainbow of colors create eye-catching displays. Tunnels covered in vines, with decorative gourds hanging below, make for a whimsical walk through the garden. If you want to maximize your space, add some beauty to your garden, and save your back, you should grow up this season and start your own vertical garden at home. Maximum Yield 53