DIY vertical garden | Easy Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardens provide elegant outdoor decor, however, large planters can weigh a lot. On the other hand, pocket planters give you a simple, lightweight solution for growing plants on a wall. (And, a low-cost kit makes installation easy!)

There are a few ways to lighten the load of a vertical garden besides making a smaller garden (the obvious =)).

First are the plants themselves.

Second, a soil that is less dense can add less weight to the garden.

Third, the container itself contributes pounds, and when made of lighter weight material, this can make a big difference in overall weight.

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1. Plants for a Lightweight Vertical Garden

First, let’s talk plants. Smaller plants of course will weight less. Also, plants that don’t grow lots of roots will require less soil. Herb gardens can be perfect for creating a lightweight garden. Other factors to think about are the lifetime of a plant and its growth rate. Annuals can be replaced each year with new, small plants.

Varieties that grow slowly, like succulents, will of course stay small and add less weight to your container. Succulents are also nice because some don’t require a lot of water, which also adds pounds.

2. Soil for Vertical Planters

Obviously, using less soil will lighten the load of the garden. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consider planters that are shallow or have small sections. smaller plans that require less soil will also help.

You can also buy or “make” lighter weight soil, The first option is to buy lightweight potting soil at your local nursery or home improvement store. The second option is to make your own by mixing perlite, peat moss and/or vermiculite in with your regular potting soil. In addition to weighing less, these mixtures also help with aerating the soil, improving drainage and preventing the soil from compacting.

3. The Container that Hangs Vertically

Planters made of lighter materials (ie plastic vs wood) can significantly reduce your garden’s weight. However, these planters can sometime be less sturdy and durable, so you want to be careful.

A new type of planter that has recently come out incorporates recycled nylon felt with a plastic backing – creating a 3 foot by 2 foot container that weighs less than 2 pounds. Seriously!

Not only is it lightweight, it’s highly durable and recycled. At this weight, you can build a simple frame out of wood to enclose your garden – or none at all. As you can see by the photo – the plants look great even without a frame.

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Another cool feature about this planter design is that little soil is required. The felt allows proper drainage and lets plants breathe, so they stay healthy.

Gutter gardens can also work, because they provide a shallow planting area. Plastic gutters are lightweight, yet are made of heavy duty material to stand up to storms, rain water, etc..

Do you want to know how to make a vertical garden? Here are 7 tips and answers to frequently asked questions about building a healthy, low-maintenance living plant wall that you’ll love…

1. What Materials Do You Need to Build a Vertical Garden?

A. Vertical Structure

First of all, you’ll need a wall or fence where you can attach your planter. Alternatively, you can build a freestanding garden independent of other structures. You can also buy pre-made vertical garden kits, which eliminate a lot of the guesswork because you simply assemble the planter.

B. Planting Container

Second, you’ll need some sort of planter. You can use plastic flower pots, metal containers, fab ric pockets or wood with plastic liners. Plus, some people recycle gutters, mailboxes or wooden pallets to create a custom-looking garden. Not to mention, you can save money too.

C. Hanging Hardware

Third, get hanging hardware to attach the planters to the wall, fence or post (ie screws, brackets, nails, hooks, etc..). If you buy a vertical garden kit, many of these packages include the hardware that you’ll need.

D. Planting Soil

Fourth, buy planting soil or compost. If you want to start plants from seed, get seed starting mix, which typically contains sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite or coconut coir. By the way, these materials make a good option if you want to keep your planter lighter in weight.

E. Plants

Fifth, choose the plants you want to grow. Some people decide to grow herb gardens too.

F. Irrigation

Sixth, select a watering system if you don’t want to water your garden by hand. A simple way to do this is buy a drip watering kit, connect it to a hose spigot and set it on a timer.

Some vertical gardens only need the top level irrigated, as the top levels drain down to the lower levels. Therefore, the entire garden gets watered automatically.

2. How Do I Install a Vertical Garden on a Wall?

To hang a planter on a wall, you’ll first need to establish a proper support system. Clean the surface and add any waterproofing sealer if necessary.

Fabric Wall Pockets for Plants - Create a DIY Vertical Garden

Some people choose to assemble a basic wood support frame, secure it to the wall and then hang the planter on the frame. This provides space and air flow between the foliage and the wall. Plus, it may make hanging easier.

Alternatively, you can just attach the planter to the wall. In either case, you can use a masonry drill bit to drill into stucco or brick, or wood screws to hang planters on fences.

Wood Slat Wall Planter for Indoor Vertical Gardens

3. What Plants are Best for Vertical Planters?

The ideal plants will depend on your area’s climate and the location of your planter. For example, sunlight, temperature and humidity. I like to focus on low-maintenance plants that don’t grow a large root system.

Urban Eden Vertical Garden Planter with 5 Levels, Freestanding Design, Use Inside or Outdoors

Many people like plants that grow to be full and bushy, therefore covering the planting container. For instance, ferns, spider plants, ivy, pothos, etc..

Other people like growing edibles like herbs, lettuces or strawberries. Succulents also make great vertical growers because they require minimal maintenance.

4. How Much Sunlight Do Plants Need?

The amount of light you need will depend on the plants you grow. Below are some ideas for different sunshine/shade levels:

Full Sun Plants: Basil, rosemary, and thyme, plus succulents like sedum and sempervivum.
Partial Shade Plants: Ferns, spider plants and some flowers lik petunias and impatiens.
Full Shade Plants: Ferns, ivy and boston ferns.

5. How Do You Water Vertical Gardens – and How Often?

Drip Irrigation Kit with Timer for Vertical Gardens on Walls or Fences

As we talked about above, you can hand-water your garden or connect a drip irrigation system. You can also set up mist irrigation.

Manual Watering: This option is simple and low cost, and it may be the best choice for smaller gardens or if you only have a few plants.
Drip Irrigation: Installing drip requires more work and cost up front, but it can keep your plants healthy with minimal care over the long run.
Mist Irrigation: This method involves misting the plants with water. For plant varieties that like humidity, this can be a great option.

Watering frequency depends on the type of plants you’re growing, the climate, soil and drainage. Start with a routine watering every 1-2 days and adjust accordingly – you don’t want the soil to dry out, nor do you want roots to get water-logged.

In addition, schedule watering in early morning or evening, so you minimize water evaporation.

6. What is the Best Soil for Living Walls?

Starter Plant Fertilizer Pellets - Time Release

The best soil will depend on your plants. That said, here are a few guidelines.

Drainage: Choose a good potting soil or a soil-less mix specifically designed for containers.
Aeration: Adding perlite or vermiculite to the soil to allow proper air flow to the roots for healthier growth.
Nutrients: More nutrition typically results in healthier, better-looking plants. Choose a mix that contains slow-release fertilizer pellets or mix in some compost.
pH Balance: Some plants have specific pH requirements. For example, succulents and cacti generally prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5, while most herbs and flowers prefer a slightly alkaline soil between 6.0 and 7.5.

7. How Do You Care for a Vertical Garden?

Just like any plants in your yard, vertically-grown plants require a certain level of care. However, they can be pretty low maintenance, especially if you install an automatic watering system.

Vertical Garden Green Wall Made with Felt Plant Pockets

To keep your garden lower-maintenance, choose the right plants for your climate and sunlight. In addition, provide nutrient-rich soil that aerates the roots (like we talked about above). Also, establish a regular watering schedule that keeps the root system moist but not soggy.

Thereafter, simply prune any overgrowth or dead branches/leaves as needed. This can stimulate bushier growth for fuller, better-looking plants.

Also, potted plants benefit from regular fertilization. Look for slow-release granules or water-soluble fertilizer and add a couple times a year or per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Pocket Planters: How to Make a Lightweight Vertical Garden