Written by Alyla Phomphakdy, Landscape Design Intern
What Are Vertical Gardens?
Vertical gardens are vertically suspended gardens, they can be as fancy as a hydroponic system with complex irrigation systems or it could be as simple as a trellis or a lattice against a wall with grape vines growing on it.
How can vertical gardens help me build a garden in my small space?
Having trouble figuring out how to grow lots of fruits and vegetables while also making your garden an enjoyable space to ponder through? Vertical gardens could be the answer to your problem! Not only are they beautiful to look at but they have many benefits such as being easier to harvest from as well as preventing pests and diseases compared to traditional gardens (read more about the benefits of vertical gardening in this article).
What are things could I incorporate into the design of my vertical garden?
Lattices and trellises are key to any great vertical garden. They make it easy for vining plants (such as grapes, squash, and snap peas) to grab onto and receive more light as they grow. In the design below, at one of Each Green Corners sites located in Redwood City, we were dealing with a really small asphalt space that was about 7.5 feet wide and 40 feet long. In order to make the best use of this space we proposed having four planters with two of them holding lattices. We also incorporated a trellis that would connect the four planters all together as well as provide shade for the benches below.
Now…Build your Own!
This is just one way to incorporate the use of trellises and lattices for your vertical garden. There are many approaches you could take! You could:
- Build posts in such a way that lattices can have a pattern of alternating wall and lattice textures
- Have lattices built on the trellis itself
- Even incorporate a simple irrigation system that goes behind or along the sides of the lattice or trellis (with appropriate materials)
There are an endless amount of combinations and design ideas. Vertical gardens are a great way to be more efficient with your garden space and make it even more special!
If you would like to see the required materials for this built structure, see below!
Planters
4…4” x 4” x 7’ posts
16…2” x 12” x 1.5” boards
16…2” x 12” x 8’ boards
Bench
4…2” x 8” x 3’ boards
8…2” x 8” x 1.5’ boards
Trellis
8…2” x 2” x 5’ posts
4…4” x 4” x 7’ posts
2…2” x 6” x 6’ 7” board
2…5’ x 8’ lattice
0 Comments