10 Simple Tips for Building a DIY Vertical Garden (Whether You Have a Green Thumb or Not)

Have you always wanted a garden but don’t have space for one? Vertical gardens are a great remedy for that!

They aren’t even hard to create. You’ll just need a little bit of space and some time.

Are you ready to enjoy fresh produce when it’s in season? How about beautiful flowers all summer long?

With a vertical garden, you can have those things and more. Keep reading and we’ll tell you ten tips for building your very own DIY vertical garden, no matter what space you have available.

1. Get Creative with Materials

Vertical gardens are so versatile that you can grow them in just about anything you want. You won’t have to limit yourself to structures that can hold pots.

Fabric, metal, wood, and even plastic pipes can be used to grow plants. Just situate them in a vertical setup and you’re good to go!

Have you ever grown plants in canvas pockets? How about the slats of a wooden pallet? If not, now’s your chance to try it. Get creative!

2. Go Traditional

You can still go traditional with a vertical garden. Start with a large pot, then place a vertical tube inside. This can be as simple as a pipe with holes in it.

Or bamboo sticks tied together with a gardening net “sock” in the middle works too.

Fill the tube with dirt and let your plants grow from inside. You’ll end up with a small vertical garden, growing right from a pot!

3. Have the Right Tools

However you decide to create your vertical garden, make sure you have the right tools. Some projects may not need much, while others might require something specific (like a pipe cutter).

Gather the tools you need ahead to time to cut down on time. Otherwise, you’ll be running around looking for supplies.

4. Consider Placement

Plants are still plants, no matter how you grow them. Make sure the plants you choose can be placed where they need to be. If they need a lot of sun, build your vertical garden in a sunny spot.

If you don’t have a really sunny spot, you should probably choose other plants.

Not all plants require a lot of sun, though. You can even have a vertical garden indoors. Just choose plants that will thrive in that environment.

5. Choose Your Plants Ahead of Time

Choose the plants you want to grow before you start working on your vertical garden. The types of plants you choose will determine many things.

How often will the plants need water? How much sun or shade will they need? How much space will they take up?

You don’t want to be constantly ducking around plants in your kitchen if you put them in an area that didn’t really have enough space. Planning ahead will make the results more successful and enjoyable.

6. Choose Plants that Match

By “match” we don’t mean choose plants that all look the same. Instead, make sure all the plants you choose require the same environment.

If you mix plants that love shade with plants that love full sun, you’ll have a problem. To ensure every plant can grow its best, choose plants that have the same needs.

7. Think outside the Box

You can put a vertical garden just about anywhere. Have you considered adding one to your bathroom?

Fresh herbs not only smell great, they can be added to your hot bath.

You may have a brilliant place for an herb garden you’ve never thought of. Think outside the box and see what you can come up with.

8. Don’t Get Too Complicated

Remember, the more complicated you get with your garden, the more you’ll have to do.

If you won’t have a lot of time to maintain your garden, choose plants that thrive with little help. If you want to grow edible plants, such as herbs and vegetables, grow a reasonable amount. Don’t grow so much you can’t use it.

Some vertical gardens require an irrigation system. Make sure you choose a setup that’s manageable for you.

9. Provide Enough Water

Some plants need more water than others, so make sure you know what your plants of choice need. The top shelves of vertical gardens dry out quicker, so place plants that need more water on the bottom.

Use potting soil to help moisture stick around. Dirt that doesn’t hold water as well may not be sufficient for your plants.

10. Make It Your Own

When building a vertical garden, remember to make it all you want it to be. There’s no one right way to build a vertical garden.

Do you like the look of one plant growing however it wants to? Or do you prefer several rows of orderly herbs?

Whatever you choose, let your preferences lead. Make sure the plants you choose can get the care and atmosphere you need, then let yourself loose.

There are plenty of ways to personalize a vertical garden.

Choose brightly colored boxes to hold your plants. Or go for a more subdued look.

If you like a more industrial feel, use metal to build your frame and/or boxes. Or go with a rustic look by choosing distressed wood.

The possibilities are endless.

Did you know vertical gardens can be mobile? Check out this website to learn more.

Start Your DIY Vertical Garden Today

You can buy a vertical garden setup, but there’s the fun in that? Instead, turn it into a DIY project.

Building a DIY vertical garden is a great project to do on your own, or as a family. Choose your plants, build your garden, then watch your garden take shape.

These ten tips will help you get started. So what are you waiting for? Build your vertical garden today!

Do you love a good DIY project? Check out our fun DIY bathroom ideas.