Gardening ideas for small spaces: How to create vertical gardens

[ecis2016.org] Owing to the dearth of green spaces in urban areas, the concept of vertical balcony garden is slowly gaining popularity among plant lovers. We look at some smartly designed and compact vertical garden ideas and how they can accentuate one’s décor

There are many ways, in which one can beautify a residential or commercial space. One way, is through a small living room garden and use of plants, which not only add beauty to the décor but also bring freshness to the atmosphere. “Greenery helps in de-stressing and relaxation. Plants enhance one’s mood and are natural healers. Green walls can be incorporated in one’s interiors, whether it is an office or a home, to create a blissful atmosphere,” says Pameli Kayal an architect and an interior designer.

You are reading: Gardening ideas for small spaces: How to create vertical gardens

A vertical garden is a method to grow plants on walls. It is also known as a green façade or ‘living green wall’.  “Vertical balcony garden not only look beautiful and add green cover to a barren looking wall but also helps in efficient utilisation of space,” adds Priyanka Amar Shah, founder of iKheti.

There are many vertical garden ideas when you look at creating one. The simplest option to have a vertical balcony garden is to attach plant containers to a wall. Alternatively, one can have a frame made, with horizontal rows where the plants can be placed. Vertical garden ideas depend on the space available and whether the wall is in the balcony, terrace, outside or even in one’s living room. The wall or the framework must be strong enough to hold the weight of the vertical balcony garden, especially the bigger ones.

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Outdoor vertical garden ideas

If you plan to grow edibles or outdoor plants, ensure that the vertical wall for the vertical balcony garden is outdoors. The produce will always be proportionate to the pot’s size.

Hence, to grow edibles in a vertical format, the size of the pot should be at least five inches, to get sufficient produce. Pot of different sizes and geo bags (made of permeable fabrics) are available, to cater to the growing demand for edible vertical balcony gardens. Micro greens, which are 40 times more nutritious than your leafy vegetables, can be grown in small vertical pots, as well. “Always choose plants as per the pot’s size. Sometimes, people choose to grow huge plants in smaller pots and wonder why they aren’t growing,” cautions Shah.

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Indoor vertical garden ideas

If you are opting for small living room garden and planting indoor plants or air purifying plants, the vertical wall can be in indoors, where there is less sunlight.

“As part of vertical garden ideas, nowadays ready frameworks for vertical walls are available, which are easy to install. All you need to do is put the plants. Herbs like basil, peppermint, etc., are easier to grow than vegetables. Air purifying plants like peace lily, pothos, ferns and syngoniums are other easy options. Choose the plants, as per the sunlight available in the specific area. If the vertical walls are high of the small living room garden, it would require an irrigation system for efficient usage of water,” states Shah.

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To create a vertical balcony garden in or around one’s house, one must be a bit creative or take the help of a professional gardener or horticulturist. “If you wish to be adventurous, then as part of vertical garden ideas, instead of using regular clay pots, you can opt for plastic bottles, fused bulbs, photo frames, shoes, etc., to make vertical balcony garden. Ropes, belts, t-shirts and elastic bands are vertical garden ideas that can be used to hang the planters,” suggests Kayal.

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Maintenance of vertical gardens

Vertical balcony garden require regular maintenance, such as trimming and pruning, to maintain the look of the wall. Hence, one of the vertical garden ideas is to opt for low maintenance plants.

“Alternatively, one can grow plants vertically using hydroponics – i.e., growing plants in water. Such vertical walls are lighter and have less chances of infestation by pests, since most of the pests come from the soil. Furthermore, the water can be recycled. The disadvantage of hydroponic system, however, is that it is expensive as water nutrients need to be added at regular intervals,” explains Shah.

Vertical garden ideas for setting one

• The vertical balcony garden should ideally be under a skylight or near a window, to ensure adequate sunlight. Fruits and flowering plants need more sunlight. Lack of adequate sunlight will prevent the plants from bearing fruits and can stunt the growth of the plants.
• In a vertical balcony garden, arrange the containers symmetrically or in some pattern, so that they look lush and vibrant. One can also arrange the plants as per colours.
• Regularly water, trim and nourish the plants in your vertical balcony garden. Removal of drying, wilting leaves and flowers will encourage faster new growth. Add fertilisers in recommended dosages, to keep the plants healthy.
• One must be observant about the pest attacks. It is easy to control it in the early stages in a vertical balcony garden.

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(Additional Inputs: Anuradha Ramamirtham)

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