Increase gardening space with vertical gardens
Whether growing flowers, vegetables or herbs, gardening can be a satisfying hobby enjoyed by many homeowners. Some yards, however, either don't have adequate space for a desired garden or have limited areas of direct sunlight. In these cases, or to create additional gardening space, a vertical garden can solve the problem.
As the name implies, plants climb up structures in a vertical direction rather than in rows or other formations along the ground. Although the choice of plants that will thrive vertically aren't as varied as traditional gardens, vertical gardens have their own advantages such as providing extra space for gardening.
Arbors, trellises and pergolas are excellent foundations for vertical gardens and add beauty and structure to the landscape. Morning glory, clematis, wisteria and climbing roses are some of the climbing flower options for vertical flower gardening because their growth can be easily guided and secured on vertical structures.
Trellises can be used to vertically grow some types of vegetables as well. Green beans, peas, cucumbers and squash can be trained to climb a trellis. Jill MacKenzie at the University of Minnesota Extension explains, "Train the vines as they lengthen by weaving the growing tips gently between the openings in the mesh every few days." There are many types and styles of trellises available for sale and also many options for creative DIY projects.
An ancient type of vertical gardening is the art of espalier. This involves the pruning and training of a fruit-bearing or ornamental tree to grow as a two-dimensional plant. Espalier can be done either against a wall, fence or trellis or out in the yard alone. Susan Mahr at the University of Wisconsin—Madison says, "Apple and pear trees are the traditional espalier subject because their spurs live for years producing fruit (although certain cultivars are better than others) and they have supple, easily trained new growth, but other fruit trees that sometimes are espaliered include fig (Ficus carica), peaches, cherries and pomegranates."
If desired, espalier can be purely ornamental rather than fruit-bearing. Susan Heeger writing for This Old House suggests, "Suitable picks include forsythia, magnolia, flowering quince, and photinia." These shrubs will provide colorful blossoms and should be pruned to keep its shape after flowering.
Some things to think about when considering an attempt at espalier is how much time and work will be required. Mahr goes on to say that espalier is very work intensive while training the tree toward the basic design can take three to four years. For homeowners with many demands on their time and energy, a lower maintenance gardening option might be more practical. However, espalier starters can be found for sale at some nurseries which provide a head start in training the tree.
For a more modern approach, homeowners who enjoy DIY projects can build a vertical pallet garden as an option. The pallet can be hung on a sun-facing wall or fence keeping the slats horizontal. Flowers, vegetable plants or herbs can be planted between the slats after closing the bottoms to hold the soil or other planting containers can be hung on the outside of the pallet. This is a low-cost fairly simple project that can provide extra garden space and beauty to the yard. Other inexpensive DIY options include fastening chicken wire or wood lattice to a wall or fence for plants to climb or setting potted plants on the steps of a ladder.
If there's no interest in DIY projects, there are many varieties of vertical gardening products available for sale in a variety of prices from small stackable tiered planters to large metal racks that support a series of plant boxes that are similar to window boxes on a rack. Regardless of the supportive structure, vertical gardening can offer more gardening space when horizontal space is limited.