Vertical gardens have never been more popular, especially in urban settlements where space is limited.
You can see them in small gardens, indoors, or even in working environments. Whether you have a tiny balcony or perhaps a garden fence, a vertical garden will most likely transform the space.
This being said, let’s go through the steps to turn a boring place into a vibrant oasis of green.
Keep in mind that creativity and imagination are your strongest points here because there’s always room for customization.
Design a Frame
Whether you’ve picked a wall or a fence, your plants won’t just hang in the air, so you need a frame for this. You can find such frames in commerce, but you can also make them yourself.
Don’t worry too much about the actual design because the idea is to cover the frame with greenery, so its looks won’t matter.
If you choose to do it yourself, classic PVC pipe makes a good structure. Plastic is considered much more effective than metal or wood.
Metal will rust, especially when exposed to moisture all the time. Wood looks good but think about moisture. Eventually, it will require regular treatments, or it will rot.
And again, no one will really see much of the frame as your garden develops. Some choose to create the frame itself before fitting it onto the wall.
If you get one from a hardware store, you’ll have to fit it there. This option is preferred because you may need to remove the frame every now and then to work on your vertical garden.
Fit a Plastic Sheet
This aspect is often overlooked, yet it’s extremely important in the process. If you ask a professional to do your vertical garden, they’ll never miss this step.
If you do it yourself without researching what you need upfront, chances are you won’t even think about it.
This plastic sheet is supposed to go over the frame. It has a protective role in the process. It may seem irrelevant at first, but you’ll thank yourself a few months later.
This sheet is a barrier between the wall and the plants. Constant exposure to moisture will most likely cause mold or fungus on the wall.
Remember that you won’t take plants and flowers down every now and then. Moisture is trapped in there, hence the necessity of some protection.
Besides, there are a few other things (such as further steps) that will add even more to the overall level of moisture.
When choosing a plastic sheet , opt for high-quality, durable materials like polyethylene or PVC, which are known for their resistance to moisture and rot.
Make sure the sheet is thick enough to provide adequate protection but flexible enough to fit snugly over your frame.
Fit Fabric for Moisture Retention
If you get a natural vertical garden, moisture is an important consideration. You need to protect the surrounding areas against it, but you also need it for your plants.
This fabric should be attached on top of the plastic sheet. It can hold water, which your plants will need to keep growing.
There are more options out there, but most professionals recommend carpet padding. Something similar is also accepted.
The idea is to ensure water is there, but without rotting too easily. Generally speaking, you’ll need two layers of this fabric. It helps in the long run in terms of durability.
Stretch the fabric as hard as you can and staple it into the frame. What you use to fit these things is just as important.
Steel staples work well, but galvanized screws are also good. You don’t want these things to rust, either.
Side tip, make sure the fabric is perfectly stretched. Wrinkles or folds will hold water and can
cause rotting issues.
Add the Planters
Prior to this step, you can also buy or design your own irrigation system. A hose fitted around the frame with zip ties and small holes around the planters will do.
It’s convenient and easy to make yourself. However, if you water plants yourself, you can skip to the planters.
You can get pots in all kinds of shapes and sizes. At the same time, you can create your own design, so the water from one pot goes to the one underneath, and so on.
You don’t even need pots, if you think about it. You may as well opt for crawling plants
Design a plan for the pots, so you may start installing them while they are empty. Figure where they’ll go, what plants go in each pot, and how they’ll be placed.
Having all these set upfront will prevent the need to improvise later on. Do it with empty pots, it’s easier than if they were full of soil.
The Easy One Step Way
The final step in the natural vertical garden would be to maintain your garden. Now, while it makes a good option in a beautiful garden in a nice climate, the truth is you don’t always have that.
You may face some challenges even if you choose a balcony for your vertical garden.
From this point of view, more and more people turn to fake green panels, especially when it comes to indoor gardens.
Sure, you won’t have the same level of oxygen and air filtration, but the greenery and natural feel will provide all the other benefits associated with an indoor garden.
When it comes to artificial panels, they usually come in small sizes, so you can get as many as you need based on the space availability.
In this case, measure the wall upfront, choose a design, and feel free to move panels around until you get the design you’re after. This option is more versatile and requires no maintenance.
In the end, creating a vertical garden in your home is a wonderful way to bring nature indoors, even if you’re short on space.
Remember that this is more than a one-time project. It’s a rewarding journey that requires your time and efforts. So enjoy the process and watch your green oasis flourish.
