I have been coveting vertical wall gardens as art for four years now. I have 2 walls in my yard that would perfectly suit a work of art like these. Determined to create my own one day, I’ve saved these images as inspiration.
Beyond being a source of beauty and art in a garden, people have been using the vertical strategy in their gardens forever. Stringing pole beans or caging tomatoes are common practice today not only to support the growing plants and fruit, but to allow more to be grown in small spaces like containers or raised beds. I’m trying my squash and cucumbers in a vertical tepee this year. These two tend to vine along and take over small spaces so why not try to give them support to do their thing vertically instead.
Try tomatoes, pole beans, cucumbers, all squash, melons, pumpkins, and peas using one of these methods. Just be sure for the heavier fruit to use a vertical support strong enough. I also recommend putting in supports when planting seedlings or before to avoid from damaging their roots as they grow. I also really like this example of how to build a frame that shades plants that prefer a little less intense summer sun like lettuces. When the temperatures heat up, I like to plant baby greens in the shade of tall tomato plants. This idea does the same trick even better.
image credit: greeneducationfoundation.org
