Your Guide to Vertical Gardening

If you have a small garden, you don’t have to give up on your dream of planting your own vegetables and shrubs; with vertical gardening, anything is possible!

By growing plants upward, you can transform even the smallest areas into lush, green sanctuaries, making the most of the space.

This clears up more space for garden furniture or a small garden shed so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Today, Atlas Sheds will walk through tips and ideas to help you get started on your own vertical garden.

What Is Vertical Gardening?

Vertical gardening refers to growing your plants on walls and fences rather than on the ground.

This includes combining various techniques and structures to encourage plants to grow upwards rather than on traditional garden beds.

Not only is this ideal for small gardens, patios, or balconies, but it can also help improve air quality by filtering pollutants, as well as reduce soil-borne pests and make vegetables easier to pick.

Your vertical garden can be as complex or simple as you like, as long as the plants receive adequate support, sunlight, and water.

Choosing the Right Plants

When it comes to growing a vertical garden, the choice of plants must be carefully considered.

You must opt for plants that thrive in limited soil and root space and fluctuating levels of sunlight and moisture. (No one wants to end up with a bunch of dead plants!)

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Climbers

Climbing plants naturally grow upwards along walls or fences, making them a perfect choice for your vertical garden. They add a whimsical touch, drawing the eye upwards and making the garden feel more spacious.

Clematis – These plants bring a splash of colour with their colourful petals, bringing beauty to your vertical garden.
Climbing Roses – With a pleasant fragrance and eye-catching petals, these stunning flowering plants offer the perfect touch.
Ivy – This is a classic choice for climbing plants, adding greenery to your walls or fence.

(clematis)

Vegetables

Get your gardening gloves on and begin growing your own food in your vertical garden.

Who needs food markets? There are plenty of vegetables you can grow from home in a vertical garden (plus, you get the feeling of accomplishment when they’re ready to be plucked and eaten).

Peas – Peas are easy to grow on trellises, especially during spring or winter.
Cucumbers – These are natural climbers and thrive when supported by walls or sturdy structures.
Pole beans – Pole beans grow quickly and perfectly in small spaces, making them a great addition to your vertical garden.

(Pole beans)

Herbs

Herbs are a key component of any kitchen, so why not start growing your own?

Not only are herb plants fun to grow, but they also have shallow root systems and only need a compact amount of space to mature. Thus, they are commonly placed in wall hangings or planters!

Oregano—Grow this aromatic herb in your planters to add a little kick to your Mexican and Italian dishes whenever you need to.
Mint – This sweet and fresh herb is a must-have for your kitchen. It grows quickly and spreads far, so keep this one contained by itself!
Thyme—Everyone needs some thyme in their cupboard. This plant grows well in containers, but it needs a little extra care than the others.

(Mint)

Flowers

While flowers aren’t necessarily needed in your garden (although the bees would disagree), they add a pretty touch and liven up the place; we can’t argue with that!

With a wide range of flowers to choose from, we suggest starting with these easy plants:

Begonias – With their long-lasting blooms, begonias add a touch of magic to any garden and grow well in shaded areas.
Fuchsias – This beautiful trailing plant thrives in hanging baskets or tiered planters, perfect for vertical gardens.
Petunias – Add these to a hanging basket for a vibrant display and minimal upkeep.

(Fuchsias)

The Benefits of Vertical Gardening

Before we go any further, let’s summarise the benefits of vertical gardening so you know exactly what to expect from the seeds you’ve sown (no pun intended).

Easier maintenance: If maintaining a large garden is too overwhelming for your busy schedule, vertical gardens are easier to care for. Plus, you don’t need to bend or crouch to tend to your plants, which is ideal for people with limited mobility.
Improved air circulation: Vertical gardens improve air circulation around plants, reducing fungal infections and diseases. This leads to healthier growth and prevents plant death.
Increased yield: Vertical gardens allow you to stack plants and grow them close together, maximising the amount of vegetables and herbs you can grow.
Natural insulation for sheds: Yes, you heard it right. Climbing plants can provide a natural layer of insulation with plenty of growth, keeping your shed cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Cleaner garden: If you hate the look of overgrown weeds, plant beds, or bushes, vertical gardens can help. They add some order to your garden and make it easier to navigate the space.
Better use of sunlight: Unlike traditional gardens, vertical gardening allows you to arrange plants to get the best sun exposure without taller plants blocking the way.

Types of Structures and Supports

When creating your own vertical garden, you can get as creative as you want!

You don’t have to buy fancy new tools and wall hangings to create a pretty display; you can reuse old baskets, plastic bottles, crates, and ladders to create a quirky vertical garden.

Below, we’ve listed some popular structures and supports and how to make the most of them.

1. Trellises

Placed against walls, fences, or sheds, trellises act as a support system for climbing plants like ivy, roses, and clematis to cling to.

You can make your own from wood, metal, or plastic or buy premade trellises from garden centres.

2. Wall-Mounted Planters

What would a vertical garden be without wall-mounted planters?

Capable of holding flowers, herbs, and vegetables, planters are nailed to walls or fences, allowing you to make the most of the unused space. Opt for lightweight planters to prevent damage to fences.

You can even make your own out of tin cans and plastic bottles! Don’t forget to add drainage holes to the bottom with a drill.

3. Arches and Pergolas

Beautiful and whimsical, arches and pergolas can be used to support heavier plants while making the most out of the vertical space.

Plants such as wisteria, grapevines, and climbing hydrangeas are perfect contenders, creating an inviting feature.

4. Hanging Baskets

Effective and easy to install, hanging baskets are perfect for displaying all of your favourite flowers and plants.

These can be hung from walls or fences, draped from the roof of a shed porch, or draped down from a gazebo or pergola.

5. Ladder Shelves

Nothing says innovative and fun like a ladder-potted plant display. You could purchase a ladder planter from a shop or create your own by upcycling an old ladder.

For this, opt for a ladder that has paint peeling off for a rustic and vintage look. Your potted plants can be displayed on each step or shelf, showing off your hard work in a creative way.

6. Create a Green Wall

A green wall is the perfect choice if you want to recreate a natural, wild look in your garden.

These use a frame or panel system to support a wide array of plants, growing upwards along your wall until it’s covered in greenery. You can purchase sets that feature an irrigation system that can be filled with plug plants. Ferns, succulents, and mosses are great choices.

7. Shelves

If you’d like to display your potted plants higher up your wall, install wooden shelves on your wall or fence.

Make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold a variety of pots. To avoid a costly project, you can use old fencing planks or box shelves from your home.

8. Create a Shed Green Roof

What better way to make the most out of your shed than adding a green roof?

This involves growing plants and vegetables on your roof. Not only will this add an extra layer of insulation, but the soil will absorb any rainwater, helping manage excess water to prevent pooling.

Plus, it’s a beautiful way to get the best use out of the extra space!

Transform Your Garden With Atlas Sheds

Now that you’re ready to create your own vertical garden, add more functionality to the space with a compact garden shed.

This can be used to store garden tools, create a mini-workshop, and so much more! Explore our range of high-quality products today and start creating your perfect garden oasis.