Vertical Gardening Guide

When ground space is limited, grow up! Vertical gardening can triple your harvest from the same footprint while adding beauty and interest to any space.

Benefits of Vertical Gardening

• Space efficiency: Grow more in less ground space
• Better air circulation: Reduces disease
• Easier harvesting: No bending required
• Cleaner produce: Fruit stays off soil
• Pest reduction: Harder for ground pests to reach
• Visual appeal: Creates living walls and screens

Vertical Growing Structures

Trellises

• A-frame: Double-sided, portable, great for cucumbers
• Flat trellis: Against fence or wall
• Tunnel trellis: Walk-through, creates shade
• Materials: Wood, metal, netting, string

Cages and Towers

• Tomato cages (sturdy types)
• Wire tomato towers
• Strawberry towers
• Potato towers

Wall Gardens

• Pocket planters
• Gutter gardens
• Pallet gardens
• Modular systems

Best Plants for Vertical Growing

Climbing Vegetables

• Pole beans: Natural climbers, very productive
• Peas: Lightweight, easy to support
• Cucumbers: Cleaner, straighter fruit on trellis
• Small squash: Tromboncino, some summer squash
• Malabar spinach: Vigorous climbing green

Vining Fruits

• Small melons: (Support fruit with slings)
• Grapes: Classic arbor plant
• Passionfruit: Tropical, vigorous
• Kiwi: Needs strong support

Wall Garden Plants

• Lettuce and salad greens
• Strawberries
• Herbs
• Small peppers
• Flowers

DIY Vertical Gardens

Pallet Garden

1. Find or buy a heat-treated (HT) pallet
2. Staple landscape fabric to back and sides
3. Fill with potting soil
4. Plant through front slats
5. Lay flat for 2 weeks until rooted, then stand up

Gutter Garden

1. Mount plastic gutters on fence or wall
2. Drill drainage holes
3. Fill with lightweight potting mix
4. Plant shallow-rooted crops (lettuce, herbs)

String Trellis

1. Install overhead support beam
2. Tie strings from beam to ground stakes
3. Train plants up strings
4. Wind stems around strings as they grow

Care Considerations

Watering

• Vertical plantings dry faster
• Drip irrigation ideal
• Self-watering reservoirs for wall planters

Training Plants

• Gently weave through support
• Use soft ties (avoid cutting stems)
• Check weekly during fast growth

Feeding

Container vertical gardens need regular fertilizing—nutrients leach with frequent watering. Use liquid fertilizer every 1-2 weeks during growing season.