12 Reasons to start a vertical garden
06/13/2020 / By Joanne Washburn / Comments
12 Reasons to start a vertical garden

Vertical gardening is a technique used to plant crops on a vertical structure, such as a ladder, a tiered hanging basket, a wire mesh or a pallet hung on a wall. In a nutshell, vertical gardening involves growing plants upward rather than outward as crops would in a traditional garden setup.

In this clever twist of cultivation, various containers can now be used to grow all sorts of herbs, fruit, vegetables and even flowers from the ground upward. That said, vertical gardening isn’t a novel concept.

Climbing plants like jasmine, peas and bougainvillea are prone to take up entire walls, fences and even windows. With a bit of innovation, gardeners have taken this concept of vertical growth to include crops that are often planted on the ground. The result is a living green wall or a live wall, as it is sometimes called.

Benefits of vertical gardens

Are there benefits to going vertical? Turns out, there are quite a lot. Take a look at the top 12 advantages of starting a vertical garden instead of the more traditional ones we grew up with:

Vertical gardens maximize space

Vertical gardens are a great choice for urban dwellers who might not have a lot of outdoor space to spare for an edible garden. You can even start a small vertical garden in the kitchen near the windowsill for herbs and spices.

Vertical gardens are more flexible

Another advantage that vertical gardens have over traditional gardens is the fact that the plants can be moved and shuffled around to different areas in the house where there is more sunlight.

Vertical gardens double as outdoor decoration

One of the best things about vertical gardens is how it doubles as an outdoor decoration. You can even let the plants grow on a large trellis and use the structure itself, now covered with plants, as a screen to make a space a bit more private.

Vertical gardens are easier to maintain

Vertical gardens require little to no maintenance. You won’t have to deal with weeds, for one thing. Your plants would also be safe from ground-dwelling pests and other soilborne diseases.

Vertical gardens get more sun

Plants on vertical or hanging structures often thrive better than those that grow on the ground due to more sun exposure. As mentioned earlier, vertical gardens are also easier to move in case a certain spot isn’t getting enough sunlight.

Vertical gardens aren’t prone to disease

Climbing plants are less prone to plant diseases from pathogenic microbes lurking in the soil. It’s also a lot more difficult for these microbes to spread in a vertical garden setup. Climbing plants are less prone to rotting as well.

Vertical gardens allow for better airflow

Vertical gardens allow for better air circulation among the plants. This means that the leaves don’t remain wet for too long after watering, which can lead to rotting and disease. A vertical garden also helps improve airflow inside the house or in the general area it is in.

Vertical gardens are out of reach of pests

Potted plants planted high above the ground are well out of reach of bugs, insects and other pests. It’s also easier to protect vertical gardens from birds and other small mammals. Just cover the structure with chicken wire or move it to a more protected area.

Vertical gardens are more productive

Vertical gardens are great for planting multiple crops given a limited space. For this reason, vertical gardens often produce larger harvests than traditional gardens.

Vertical gardens are easier to harvest

Harvesting is a lot easier when it comes to vertical gardens – no more bending down to harvest or to tend to the plants.

Vertical gardens produce prettier plants

Growing plants in containers and on a controlled structure allows the gardener to manipulate how the plants will turn out, thus resulting in prettier blooms and spaced-out crops.

Vertical gardens produce cleaner crops

Fruits, herbs and vegetables grown in containers are cleaner than those planted on the ground. Again, this is because of the controlled method of cultivation characteristic of vertical gardens.

Vertical gardens allow urban dwellers to make the most out of the limited space available to them. But even for those with adequate outdoor spaces, vertical gardening can help add character and enhance a wall’s visual appeal while nurturing more plants as well.

Read more articles about vertical gardening at HomeGardeningNews.com.

Sources:

Ambius.com

GetBusyGardening.com

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