Nick creates a living wall planter

Get extra planting space, and transform your walls and fences, with Nick Bailey’s guide to making an easy living wall

A wall planter gives the option of growing a whole host of plants and will tansform bare boundaries

When it comes to gardening in a small space every inch counts, but your planting space isn’t limited to the square footage on the ground. Every garden, no matter how small, has some vertical space, be that wall or fence, that is ripe for populating with plants.

A wall planter gives the option of growing a whole host of plants and will transform bare boundaries. They come in a range of forms, from expensive professional ‘green walls’ with irrigation systems to simple wall-mounted fabric or woven plastic pouches.

These easy-to-install pouch systems allow even the most inexperienced gardener to nurture their own green wall and grow a huge range of plants, from vibrant bedding to flavoursome herbs. They’re also perfect for growing edibles near the kitchen door or brightening up patio walls, where there’s no soil at the base. And now is a great time to plant one.

How to plant up a wall planter

1

Compost The type of compost will vary depending on what plants you are using, but aim for a peat-free, relatively open mix with no soil component and a slow-release feed. Mount the planter onto a sturdy wall or fence and fill each pocket around three quarters full with compost.

2

Planting Settle the plants into their pouches, firming the compost around the roots as you go. Ensure the finished level of the compost is about 3cm below the ridge of each pouch. This makes for more efficient watering and less run-off.

3

Water With the wall planter now installed and the plants firmed in, it’s time for a good soaking. Flooding the whole planter with water not only settles the compost but also ensures good soil-root contact so the plants can establish quickly.

4

Care Continue to water the planter through the growing season, ensuring the compost is moist 3cm down – check with your finger – and pay special attention during hot or windy periods. After the first six weeks, begin feeding with a general-purpose liquid feed once a month.

These easy-to-install pouch systems allow even the most inexperienced gardener to nurture their own green wall

Make sure the plants are settled into their pouches by firming them into the compost

A wall-mounted pouch-system allows a wide range of plants to be cultivated in the smallest of spaces