Vertical beds

Many gardeners dream of beautiful vertical beds, but they don't know where to start. Many do not dare, because they are afraid that the plants will grow poorly. However, it is not. In today's article, we will tell you how to create vertical beds, share with you the secrets of choosing the right place, the composition of the soil for filling the beds, and at the end we will tell you about the various options for making these very vertical beds. We hope the information provided will be useful to you.

What are the pros and cons of vertical beds

Vertical beds do not take up very much space on the site, so many gardeners dream of them. In addition, it is easy and simple to care for them. But you can plant a lot of plants in the garden. But many gardeners and truck farmers do not dare, considering that there are plenty of minuses in vertical beds. Well, let's figure it out.

If speak about advantages vertical beds, then you will need to immediately say that it is such structures that do not take up very much space. Therefore, on the smallest personal plot, you can always place such a narrow strip with beautiful plantings.

Typically, a vertical bed occupies no more than 5 square meters. This design is also very mobile, so you can easily move the garden bed in the event of frost or other unfavorable climatic phenomena in the shed or garage. But building a shelter above the bed will also not be difficult.

This construction is also usually not treated with chemicals. Therefore, there will be no harmful substances in the berries and fruits that you intend to grow in vertical beds. Another advantage of vertical plantings is that they are not affected by diseases and pests. This is because the plants do not come into direct contact with the ground.

However, it should be said about cons... Vertical beds do not tolerate frosts very well, since the soil in this structure freezes completely. But, as you remember, you can easily transfer the plants in the sections for the winter, for example, in the basement or in the barn. Therefore, this problem is solvable.

Another drawback is associated with the fact that the soil inside the structure is quickly depleted, since the ground does not come into contact with the open ground. From this it follows that the plants will often have to be fed and, of course, watered. But sometimes the soil inside the structure is mixed with the hydrogel, so the moisture inside is retained for a long time.

How to choose the right place for vertical beds

Before building a vertical bed, you need to choose the right place. Moreover, you should focus on the characteristics of the plants that you are going to grow in the structure.

If we talk about strawberries, then this culture loves light, warmth and moisture. Therefore, it is best to place vertical beds with this berry on southern slopes where adjacent trees do not create day. However, strong lighting on strawberries is contraindicated. Therefore, plantings should sometimes be covered so that the leaves are not injured under the scorching sun. Sometimes for this, visors are made of polycarbonate.

If you will grow any ornamental plants on a vertical bed, then you can install the structure in completely different places. However, keep in mind that the plants should be comfortable.Do not place vertical structures with strawberries next to bird cherry or fruit trees. Such neighbors have a negative impact on the culture. Therefore, when choosing a place, be guided not only by illumination and warmth, but also by the neighborhood in the surrounding space.

Diy vertical beds: how to fill containers

Better, of course, to fill the containers with purchased soil. It contains all the nutrients and trace elements. However, if you do not want to spend money on expensive mixtures, then you can take the land from the garden, from your personal plot. However, it must be pre-mixed with organic fertilizers, usually done in a two to one ratio.

Remember, the soil inside the containers depletes quickly, so you will have to feed the plants. Do not forget that it is important to consider what kind of crop you are going to plant in the vertical bed. For example, it is undesirable to take soil from a site where, for example, strawberries grew for growing on a vertical bed of strawberries. Indeed, in such a mixture there may be pests that will destroy your new plantings.

It is recommended to prepare a fertile mixture about two weeks before the planned planting date. If you do not have organic fertilizers, then you can mix the soil with well-rotted manure or compost.

DIY vertical garden ideas

As we promised, today we will share with you ideas for making vertical beds. Moreover, we note right away that everything that is lying around in the yard will be used: car tires, flower pots, and even plastic bottles. Well, let's get started.

Wooden pallets

Many gardeners and gardeners create beautiful vertical beds from wooden pallets. Flower beds look great on such a design. However, you should pay attention to what a particular wooden pallet is made of. It is desirable that the wood be deformed, this will extend the life of the vertical bed.

Pallets are often chemically treated. For ornamental plants, such wooden structures are suitable, because you will not eat flowers. But if you will grow, for example, strawberries, then it is best to use those boxes that were processed only thermally. Chemistry adversely affects fruiting. And for your health too.

In order to make a vertical bed, you will need to select pallets with solid boards. There should be no cracks, rot or nails in the structure. Sometimes the boxes are dyed to make them more attractive.

It is advisable to cover the inside of the pallet with burlap. This is necessary so that the earth does not fall out from the back. The lower part of the box is covered with soil. You can plant there plants of completely different varieties and types. But after completing planting work, do not forget to water the beds with water.

When the root system of the plants is strengthened, which means that the soil is compacted, you can hang the box on the wall or simply put it near the threshold, you can also lean it against some structure. However, it is advisable to move the pallet only a month after planting the plants.

Sometimes peculiar pockets are nailed to the structure, where plants can also be planted. This design will certainly delight you. The vertical bed always turns out to be original and beautiful.

How to make a vertical bed of car tires

Yes, yes, not only white swans can be made from car tires. Gardeners are happy to make vertical beds from old waste materials. In order for your design to become aesthetically more attractive, it is advisable to take tires of different sizes and then build a real pyramid out of them.

Do not forget that there should be a lot of tires, so the vertical bed will be even more attractive.But don't forget about convenience. If you stack 20 tires on top of each other, you are unlikely to be able to water the plantings.

On every car tire, the top of the tread should be cut off. After that, they need to be laid on top of each other, immediately filling with soil. Sometimes flowers are planted on the sides, carving peculiar pockets in the tires. So do not limit yourself, invent and experiment, the main thing is not to forget about convenience and ecology.

Tires must be clean. Moreover, it is still desirable to plant ornamental plants on such vertical beds. For example, strawberries can absorb harmful substances contained in rubber.

Plastic boxes

You can also build a vertical bed from plastic boxes. A kind of containers can be hung from the wall, and also built into an independent structure. It is advisable to put them on their side a little, and pour purchased soil inside. The wall is very often built from cinder blocks. So that the earth from the boxes does not crumble, the top of the containers is treated with textiles. But do not forget to drill a hole at the bottom so that excess moisture comes out of the boxes.

Sometimes such living walls divide summer cottages into recreation areas. And sometimes they are simply placed near the garden path. However, correlate the size of the root system of the plants that you plan to plant in the garden with the size of the boxes. Your plantings should be comfortable in containers.

Flower pots and building mesh

Often, vertical beds are built from flower pots. They expose constructions on terraces or inside the house. For this, both plastic and ceramic pots are suitable. It is advisable to choose containers of different sizes, so your vertical bed will be more attractive.

There are two ways to build this structure. The easiest way is to fill pots of different sizes with soil and build a pyramid out of them, placing containers on top of each other. However, you will need to keep an eye on the center of the structure. It can either be kept on one axis, or the pots can be leaned against the wall and guided by it.

Thus, you get either a perfect pyramid, or a pyramid with an offset of the center, with stepped protrusions. Free space is recommended to be planted with decorative flowers. Sometimes a vertical bed of flower pots is welded using a metal frame.

Surely you have seen in many stores a wide variety of metal structures where you can install flower pots. So, you can build such a vertical bed yourself. However, this is only possible if you have welding and you know how to work with this unit.

Any shape is given to the structure, the flower pots are fixed in clamps, and only after that the soil is poured into the containers. However, in this case, it is advisable to use small flower pots, moreover, of the same size.

Sometimes a vertical bed is built from a construction mesh. Interestingly, even vegetables can be grown in these pyramids. And in order to build this structure, you need to roll up a metal mesh with a pipe with a diameter of about 1 m. Straw is placed inside, and then covered with soil. As the container is filled, plant seeds or tubers are embedded in the ground. After planting, the bed should be well watered and wait for shoots.

Vertical beds - everything is in motion

You can build a vertical bed from any bag, plastic or wooden barrel, sewer pipe, as well as from ordinary plastic bottles. There is no limit to the imagination of gardeners and truck farmers. The soil should be poured into the structure, necessarily fertile, but holes can be made wherever you please.

Plastic pipes should be used for these purposes large, with a diameter of more than 1 m. These structures are dug into the ground, placed vertically. And now flowers and vegetables are planted in the holes.

If you want to use plastic bottles, then you must first make a frame. It can be welded in the same way as for flower pots. The bottom of the bottles is cut off, earth is poured inside and installed with the neck down. And a little trick, if you pour these pots from bottles, you can simply unscrew the lid and "drain" the excess water.

Conclusion

Vertical beds are especially popular lately. As you can see, everything goes into action, from flower pots to bags and building nets. However, these designs always look great on home gardens. In such plantings, you can grow both potatoes and strawberries. Needless to say about the stunning aesthetic appearance of the beds. Therefore, put a little effort and imagination, and your site will truly transform.