The vertical garden is a technique of growing vegetables that allows them to grow from the bottom up instead of in width as is traditionally done; in this case, the vegetables grow on a tall structure instead of growing on the ground. This is an alternative for gardeners who have limited space; moreover, it also allows you to hide unwanted views or create an area of architectural interest. If you are interested in growing your vegetables vertically, read on.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Vegetable Garden
Step 1. Determine where you want to create it
Most vegetables require at least six hours of sunlight, so choose a sunny spot. If you live in an apartment building, a good option may be a sun terrace. If you have a yard, locate an area near the south-facing house wall.
Step 2. Choose vertical structures
You need vertical support; the most common are lattices, tripods, pyramid structures, walls, fences and iron cages; arches or pergolas can serve as a focal point of the garden and at the same time can support vegetables. For your purpose you can use almost any structure that points towards the sky; you have different creative opportunities, such as bamboo poles, tree branches, stairs, sunflower or corn stalks.
- Choose a support structure that is sturdy enough for the types of vegetables you want to grow. When the plants mature they tend to sag due to the weight of the vegetables; for example, the tomato plant needs a very sturdy vertical structure, while peas can climb onto a support without excessively burdening.
- Install the support system in the garden or patio before planting to avoid possible plant damage.
- Place vertical supports on the north or east side of the garden so they don't block the sun from reaching the vegetables.
- Secure the support securely. Vertical structures such as lattices or iron cages can be planted directly in the ground. Trusses and other flat supports can also be attached to the exterior walls of the house; in this case, however, make sure to leave a space between the wall and the support to circulate the air as the plants climb.
Step 3. Prepare the ground
Regardless of whether you choose to grow the products in the soil or in a pot, it is important that the soil is of good quality; use a compost-rich and weed-free one. To encourage proper drainage from pots, make a mixture of earth and peat or perlite.
Step 4. Choose the type of containers, if you have opted for this solution
In that case, you can use almost any type of vase; make sure it is deep enough to comfortably hold the type of vegetable you have chosen. Larger, heavier vegetables need equally large and sturdy containers. You can choose to hang baskets, vases, planters, tubs, coffee jars, clay pots or wooden crates; if the container you have chosen does not have drainage holes, make them yourself at the bottom before filling it with soil.
Method 2 of 2: Growing Vegetables Vertically
Step 1. Know the basics of growing vegetables vertically
This technique is suitable for almost all types of vegetables, as long as the container is deep enough to hold the plants and the vertical structure is strong enough to support the weight.
- Evaluate the condition of the garden. Choose vegetables that can thrive in the space you have located based on light, wind, heat and humidity; if you are growing vegetables in containers, be prepared to water them every day.
- Plant climbing varieties if possible. If you have chosen to grow beans, cucumbers, pumpkins or other legumes, be sure to choose the variety that grows vertically, rather than the bushy one.
Step 2. Choose the vegetables you want to grow
Although almost all types of vegetables are suitable for vertical growth, many are known for the excellent results they offer thanks to this technique. If you are new to this type of cultivation, consider the following products.
- Climbing beans: Climb almost any type of structure, including other plants as well. Native Americans often plant them alongside corn because corn provides natural vertical support.
- Peas: like climbing beans, peas also grow on almost any structure and require little effort to guide them on supports; you can choose trellises, bamboo poles or even a pergola.
- Winter and wine squash: they are both climbing plants whose shoots can extend up to 3 m for the first and up to 7-8 m in the second case. Since the shoots grow so large and become heavy, you need to have sturdy and firm vertical support. To provide extra support for heavy winter squash, such as the butternut variety, wrap a strip of fabric or pantyhose around each fruit and tie it to the support structure; do not use twine, as it could choke the stem of the pumpkin. Some garden centers sell material made specifically to support bulky and heavy vegetables, such as pumpkins.
- Traditional melons and pumpkins: as for winter pumpkins, these plants also have long tendrils and the fruits need more support to be able to grow vertically; so make sure that the structure you choose is strong and safe. Take strips of old bedding, rags, towels, or fabric scraps to wrap the vegetables and secure them to the fence or trellis to provide the necessary support.
- Cucumbers: those of the climbing variety (not shrub) are perfect for this type of vegetable garden, because they grow in height in a natural way. They can grow on almost any type of structure, such as a pyramid armature, cage, or trellis, as long as they are sturdy enough to support the weight of the canes. At first these vegetables need some help to cling to the support, but as the tendrils wrap around the support, they can grow without needing any more assistance; the fruits develop vertically on the plant and are therefore easy to collect.
- Tomatoes: Since these are heavy plants, they need a sturdy structure. As they grow, you need to tie the branches to the support with a soft string or cotton cloth at regular intervals.
Advice
If you choose bamboo poles or iron bars as a vertical structure, buy caps to apply on the upper end; they can be plastic balls or decorative ceramic structures, the important thing is that they protect your face and eyes while you work
Warnings
- Do not pull fruit or vegetables, such as cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, from vertically growing tendrils; if you use too much force, you can detach the shoots from the structure or even uproot them. Instead, use a small knife or a pair of pruning shears to remove them carefully.
- The shoots of many types of vegetables can have sharp, thorny edges; wear gardening gloves to protect your hands while harvesting.
