Vertical Gardening 101

Over the years, vertical gardening have become quite popular with city dwellers. Not only does it allow for urban farming for people with limited space, it is also very flexible. And with a little creativity it can double up as living decorations in your home. Ready to start your first vertical garden? Here are a few tips on how to get your plants growing.

Find your vertical spot It could be a wall outside or inside your home, a window, or even a door that can support some weight. Find a place with plenty of sunlight. You can either hang, mount or get a stand for your garden - this means any free area can be turned into a mini vertical garden.

Save with Upcycling

Who says you need to spend a lot in creating a vertical garden? An old plastic bottle can become a plant container, old barb wires or frames can house a number of herbs, it only requires a little bit of creativity.

You can grow plants with or without soil Choose from growing your plants in good potting soil or hydroponics. When using soil, it is best to use organic or rubber mulch to help keep the soil in place. Hydroponics makes use of nutrient-rich water to give the plants the same minerals they get in the soil, the plant could either be planted in just water or with gravel or perlite to help give the plant some stability.

Good Irrigation is Key To prevent root rot and a myriad of other diseases, it is important to make sure you have proper drainage without creating a mess especially if you’re planting indoors. Make sure your containers have ample holes and if you are doing it inside your home, a catch basin or creating a route for the excess water will ensure you won’t have a watery mess to clean up. The best part about watering a vertical garden? You only have to water the top layer and the rest of the bottom layers also get hydrated.

No Sunlight? No Problem! Sometimes ample sun time may not be available. This doesn’t mean your vertical garden can no longer thrive. If you have an area that only receives a few hours of sun, produce may not bear fruit or vegetable. Flowers may not even blossom. Fret not, grow lights can come to the rescue! There are different kinds of light available depending on what you are planning to grow. Incandescent lamps while very inexpensive can only grow house plants. It doesn’t provide enough light for an indoor garden. Fluorescent lights can grow herbs and other plants that require about 4-6 hours of sunlight. HID or High Intensity Discharge bulbs can help you grow vegetables even in your basement.

The possibilities are endless! You can start small with just a pot of tomatoes hung above your window or add some live wall art in your living room or even cover a plain wall outside your home with some climbing vines. Gardening can be therapeutic as well as growing your own food. Vertical gardening, gives urban folk the chance to cultivate their own produce or grow their own flowers even with limited space.