For some people, a small vertical garden is perfect. However, there are some of use who want to completely cover a wall or fence with greenery. This can be to disguise an ugly structure, increase privacy or simply create a work of art in the form of a natural “plant wall”.
Decorating with green walls has become more popular as this art has been incorporated into modern architecture of large eco-focused cities.However, the task of building a DIY green wall can seem overwhelming for the average homeowner.
It doesn’t have to be, though. Here are some key points to keep in mind.
Focus on Planning to Minimize Maintenance and Work
A bigger garden doesn’t necessarily mean more work – but it does require more planning. Specifically, I am talking about the irrigation and drainage of the garden and of course the weight imposed on the attached structure.
Be a Lightweight
First, let’s talk weight. If possible, choose a strong, secure wall to build your garden. Keep in mind that not only do you have the weight of the container(s), but the plants, soil and water also tack on some pounds as well.
Using small-leafed greenery that requires less soil and water can significantly help this situation. You can minimize weight in 3 different aspects by doing this. That is one of the reasons why succulents are such a popular option when it comes to vertical gardening.
Create a High-Tech Watering System… that’s Not Really High Tech
Irrigation is also more important with a larger arrangement because you don’t want to spend all of your time watering. One way to do this is to layer the planting containers in rows so that the upper containers drip into the lower ones and so one. You will only need to manually water to top row yourself.
Another option is to install a drip irrigation system that runs on an automatic timer. This is often preferred for plants that need water more often or tend to dry out faster. Compared to a small planting container, drip lines can easily be hidden behind foliage of the green wall plants, especially once they have had time to grow and develop.
What’s an Easy Way to Handle Drainage?
Some vertical gardens use a receptacle at the base to catch excess water. Water can also be diverted to a nearby garden bed using extra drip line. This plastic garden tubing is an inexpensive and simple way to direct water where you want it, and often you can conceal the hose behind or below items so you don’t even see it.
The video below shows how to build a green wall, including creating some of the irrigation and drainage ideas we discussed above.
