Do you want to start gardening, but you’re doubting it because you don’t have a lot of space at home? You don’t have to worry, and you don’t need a lot of space to grow food! It’s all about how you use the space that you already have available. One of the keys to this is to do DIY Vertical Gardening! I’ll show you why it is important and how you can do it with just a few easy steps.
Our garden in London is just a modest 8 x 5 meters, but we made sure to use all the spaces available using vertical gardening. If our garden is this small and we make it, I’m sure you can make it too!
Why Go Vertical?
Vertical gardening isn’t just a garden fashion trend; it’s a solution to maximize space, add a touch of nature to your surroundings, and harvest as much as you can. Here’s why you should consider going vertical with your gardening:
- Space-Saving: Vertical gardens take advantage of vertical space, making them perfect for small areas. Whether you live in an apartment or have a compact backyard, you can create a beautiful garden without needing a large footprint.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: A well-designed vertical garden can transform a plain wall into a stunning area. Imagine a place in your garden where guests can chill and calm down beside a beautiful vertical garden. It’s a relaxing atmosphere!
- Better Air Quality: Plants are natural air purifiers. By adding a vertical garden to your home, you’re increasing the number of plants, which in turn helps to filter out pollutants and improve the air quality.
- Improved Mental Health: Gardening has been proven to reduce stress and promote mental well-being. A vertical garden brings the therapeutic benefits of gardening into your daily life, even if you’re tight on space.
- Increased Yields: Vertical gardens can actually lead to higher yields for certain crops. By training plants to grow upwards, you can make the most of your growing space, allowing for more plants and, consequently, more produce.
Getting Started With DIY Vertical Garden
Materials:
- 8 x 5L bottles (plastic type 2 – HDPE)
- Drill
- 1 x drill bit 35 mm gauge
- Hammer and nail
- 1 x expanding wood trellis
- Vermiculite
- Compost mix
- Straw
How To Do It: Step-By-Step Procedure:
- Drill the bottom of a 5L bottle (plastic type 2 – HDPE) using a 35mm drill bit and make a hole to join 2 bottles
- Square mark the opening of the bottle and cut using a cutter
- Make multiple small holes on every cap and secure them in place
- Get your expanding wood trellis and fix it on the wall or fence
- Staple the DIY bottles on the trellis
- Add vermiculite for drainage and add compost mix
- Plant your chosen plant 1 for each bottle (I chose strawberry), then add mulch (optional)
- Paint a white color to the base of the DIY bottle and water only the top layer
NOTE: make your own version using any similar material available and have fun growing your own food, no matter the space available!
Final Thoughts
Vertical gardening brings up a world of alternatives, allowing you to experience the beauty and advantages of gardening regardless of your available space. It’s an innovative way to incorporate nature into your urban space, improve air quality, and boost your mental wellness. So, why wait? Start your DIY vertical garden today and see how your small space develops into a healthy garden.
Trust me, once you see your garden growing vertically, you will wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
Happy growing!
