Benefits of Vertical Garden Installation
Transforming a fence or wall into a vertical garden unlocks valuable space for planting while enhancing aesthetics. With smart installation methods, the vertical plane generates herb, vegetable or ornamental bounty mere steps from the backdoor. The gardener gains a beautiful focal point without sacrificing precious real estate for beds.
Mounding foliage breathes new life into dull sections of fencing, brick, or siding. The eye-catching palisade of plants conceals flaws in aging barriers too. Strategic arrangement of colorful blooms, trailing vines, or edible greenery catches the eye. Passersby are treated to a curb appeal boost.
The vertical orientation places produce and herbs within easy reach. Harvesting requires just a quick stretch towards one's shoulder level instead of stooping down or squatting continuously. The convenience factor makes picking components for tonight's meal simple. For those with limited mobility, a vertical garden along an exterior wall tends itself to accessibility.
By effectively expanding the garden upwards rather than outwards, a vertical installation unlocks growth potential in a compact footprint. Take advantage of vertical real estate to save ground space for lawn, play areas or sheds. A living fence or wall makes use of overlooked territory to increase planting capacity.
Key Materials Needed:
Several integral supplies empower fabulous vertical garden installations that thrive for years. Quality soil, hardy containers, reliable irrigation and secure mounting hardware comprise the fundamental components.
Industry experts recommend a high-drainage, organic potting mix enriched with slow-release fertilizer and moisture retention polymers. This provides an ideal blend of nutrition and substrate aeration for most edibles and ornamentals to develop dense root structures. Popular brands like Epsom Organic Potting Mix offer excellent quality.
For durability, galvanized steel, cedar wood, ceramic, or UV-protected polymer plants resist weathering in outdoor settings. Models with multiple drainage holes prevent stagnant moisture while promoting free flow to roots. Brands like VegTrug offer sturdy customizable raised beds for fence mounting.
Automating irrigation eliminates reliance on daily manual watering. Drip irrigation kits with programmable timers from Melnor provide consistent moisture on vertical gardens. Flexible soaker hoses like the Gardena model save installation work too.
Finally, industrial-grade brackets, rail planters and wall mount securely anchor containers. Leading hardware company Simpson Strong-Tie offers several galvanized steel vegetable garden brace models rated to 150lbs for stability. With the right fundamental materials assembled, vertical gardens thrive indoors or out delivering bountiful returns.
Prime Fence/Wall Considerations:
Before installing a vertical garden, assessing the existing fence or wall helps match the design to site conditions. Optimal placement uses sunlight, material limits, load capacities and aesthetics as guiding factors. Thoughtful planning at this stage prevents avoidable problems down the road.
Most vegetables and flowering varieties require at least six hours of direct sun daily for robust growth. Consider fence aspects that receive optimal light. South and west-facing orientations tend to get most exposure as the sunlight arcs across the sky.
The existing surface also determines appropriate mounting mechanisms. For example, chain link, wire mesh and horizontal wood slat fences suit bracket systems unlike masonry, brick or vinyl siding where rail planters adhere better. Consult manufacturers' guidelines for hardware compatibility.
Weight-bearing load limits reveal how much volume the mounts can support without risk of collapse. Anchors rated up to 150 lbs by brands like Flexrails accommodate multiple containers. But deteriorating surfaces require reinforcement before installing large volumes.
Finally, factoring aesthetics like color schemes, styles and decorative accents promote an integrated look. For ornamental appeal rather than food production, filtered shade locations work well too by emphasizing lush textures over flowers.
Mounting Method Options:
Several techniques securely anchor vertical gardens allowing plants to thrive on fences or walls. Rail/trellis systems, mounting brackets, hanging containers and custom tiers each offer unique advantages. Matching the approach to site conditions and gardening goals ensures durability.
Popular Flexrails systems provide versatile modular rail planters that adhere to masonry and siding without drilling. The rails then clip together topping the facade with a lightweight frame for hanging baskets at customizable heights up to 8 feet high.
Galvanized steel brackets directly secure to chain link or wooden slat fencing rated to hold 150lbs per high-quality models by Flexzin. Then mounting containers like bushel baskets of edible greens or vines along the brackets creates customizable columns of greenery.
For condensed spaces, flexible hanging coir fiber planters trailing lush cascades of ornamentals work beautifully. New lightweight planter models by Costa Farms slim to just 3-inches thick without sacrificing plant health.
Finally, ambitious gardeners craft custom stacked, multi-level designs. Mixing wide cedar boxes, pole bean tepees, and staggered hanging baskets enables dense foliar volumes. The DIY capability limited only by imagination empowers incredibly prolific vertical bounty.
Plant selection and arrangement planning:
Choosing appropriate varieties and thoughtfully arranging them promotes a thriving visual impact on vertical gardens. Consider sunlight, maintenance, synergies, and density as guiding principles when planning the layout.
Sun-loving edibles like cherry tomatoes, cascading peas, Swiss chard and certain herbs thrive on unshaded southern or western exposures. Shade-tolerant ornamental vines, succulents, caladiums and ferns brighten eastern walls.
Factor ongoing care too - prolific cucumber vines need ample space and pruning unlike self-contained strawberry towers. Compact, slow-growing succulents contrast sprawling squash. Matching growth habits to container dimensions ensures healthy expansion.
Creative complementary grouping adds intrigue. Vivid purple cabbages, kales and sage accent orange nasturtiums. Themed “salsa gardens” cluster tomatoes, peppers and cilantro in one area.
Packing suspended containers tightly with dense spider plants, trailing lobelia, even dwarf fruit trees maximize lush foliar impact. But allowing ample air circulation prevents fungal disease. Balancing plants artfully without overcrowding keeps the vertical garden vibrant year-round.
Ongoing Care and Troubleshooting:
Maintaining a thriving vertical garden involves monitoring soil fertility, pruning overgrowth, protecting plants and adapting techniques when needed. Consistent caretaking unlocks each unique garden's bountiful potential.
While automatic drip irrigation provides a regular moisture base, gardeners should adjust timer settings seasonally as evaporation rates shift. Monthly applications of slow-release granular fertilizers keep nutrition levels steady too.
Left unpruned, exuberant vines can quickly engulf fences and walls. Strategic trimming retains ornamental shapes and productive fruiting while preventing runaway spread. As seasons change, cut back spent vegetable plants as needed.
Guarding against seasonal threats like bitter winter cold allows vertical gardens to persevere. Burlap wrapping of containers or temporary greenhouse cloches protect vulnerable perennials. Applying dormant oil spraying combats overwintering insects too.
Finally, learning from real-world experience fine tunes the system. If certain areas seem prone to mildew, increase sunlight penetration and air circulation. To bolster wind stability, add tether lines or install additional cleat hardware. Adaptability is key to maximizing the vertical garden as a productive showpiece
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