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Decorate your Backyard Using Less Space with Vertical Gardens

Decorate your Backyard Using Less Space with Vertical Gardens

Are you looking to test your green thumb but don’t really have the space for a beautiful garden? Space is a precious commodity, after all, especially when you don't have much room to begin with. Vertical gardens just may be your answer.

Vertical gardening is a style of gardening best suited for plants that entwine themselves onto the support; however some vine plants will still need to be tied. With a little imagination you can grow all sorts of different vines and sprawling plants such as Morning Glory, clematis, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, and pole beans. All you need are some trellises, nets, strings, cages, or poles to support your plant.

A vertical garden is an assortment of plants placed onto the side of a metal trellis, garden arbor, building or wall. They can be placed anywhere inside or outside your home, in full sun or shade, depending on the species of plants you want. Also, it isn't that much different from your more traditional styles of gardening when it comes to plant care. Each requires soil, water and plenty of sunshine.

Some slight differences include:

  • Vertically growing plants are more exposed than non-staked plants, causing them to dry out quickly. Try to give them a little more frequent watering and fertilizing than you would for plants in a typical garden.
  • Vertical gardening plants cast more shadows than plants normally would when growing upwards from the ground. Try to put together a plan of what plants you want where in the garden since some plants require more sun than others. It has been found that shade tolerant plants typically do better in these types of gardens.
  • Vertical gardens lessen the impact of insects and diseases. The majority of botanical diseases are initially contracted from the soil. Vertical vines stay off the ground. Since your plants grow off the ground, they receive more air circulation than they normally would. The benefit of this is that the increased air circulation helps lessen the risk of fungal and insect infestations.
  • Critters like rabbits and moles cannot climb vertically, so you avoid troubles with them.

Plants growing vertically are usually healthier and that leads to larger, lusher and more fruitful plants.

Growing plants upright not only takes up less precious space, but it also makes caring for the plants a little easier. Think about it – no more bending over to pruning, smelling flowers or picking vegetables from their vines. They also add an architectural interest. Vines full of flowers transform a wall from something drab and ugly into an aesthetically pleasing wall of lush plants. Would you rather have a view of your neighbor's home or a garden arbor full of Morning Glories?

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