Homeowners can find a hobby in setting up vertical gardens in their homes. Here are the opportunities vertical gardens provide to homeowners:
Save space - For those with green thumbs living in apartments or houses with limited space for a lawn, vertical gardens allow them to grow plants without taking too much space.
Improve air quality - Vertical gardens can have plants that can be used to help remove pollutants and purify the air, creating a healthier living environment for homeowners.
Serve as natural insulation - Vertical gardens can act as natural insulation, keeping homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This can eventually help reduce energy costs.
Increase property value - A well-maintained vertical garden can be a great investment, as it will not only boost the home’s visual appeal but also increase its market value.
Provide a source of produce - Homeowners can grow simple produce in their vertical gardens like leafy vegetables, fruits, and herbs that can be used for cooking or other purposes. Some examples are beans, carrots, garlic, pepper, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplant, mint, aloe vera, and oregano.
Benefits of Vertical Gardens in Commercial Spaces
Some benefits of vertical gardens in homes can also apply to businesses and commercial buildings. But here are other key advantages they can provide for commercial spaces:
Reduce noise pollution - Plants in vertical gardens can actually help reduce noise levels in commercial spaces like coffee shops and restaurants, creating a more peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for customers.
Boost brand image - Incorporating vertical gardens can help businesses show their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, which can translate to a better brand image and reputation.
Reduce maintenance costs - Vertical gardens can be designed with automatic irrigation systems and easy-to-replace plant modules — this makes them a low-maintenance aesthetic feature of buildings.
What are some common types of vertical gardens?
Vertical gardens come in different forms and designs, which depend on the amount of space available and the materials to be used. Below are some of the common types of vertical gardens that can be found in homes and buildings:
Green/Living Walls
This type of vertical garden makes use of a large wall space for panels with plants that are grown in a soil-based or soilless medium. This can be installed indoors or outdoors. Some buildings even use this as a facade.
Vertical Planters
Vertical planters use containers, pots, or other recycled materials attached to a wall or structure. These can usually be seen in homes.
Trellises System
Trellises are structures that can be made out of wood, metal, or plastic. Trellis systems are typically used for growing vines.
Modular system
A vertical garden with a modular system makes use of high-quality ready-made panels that can be installed easily on walls. It often comes with built-in irrigation and drainage systems engineered by manufacturers and suppliers.
How to set up a vertical garden
1. Planning and preparing the tools Planning is essential when setting up a vertical garden. A rough sketch will already be a huge help for those putting up the structure. Some of the tools and hardware that are commonly used in installing vertical gardens are drills, screws, hammers, levels, trellises and other supporting structures, plant containers, and other reinforcing materials. Most of these can be found at most hardware and gardening stores.
2. Choosing the right material and design Vertical gardens can be designed using hanging baskets, wooden pallets, wall planters, or ready-made modules. Others can even go the DIY route by repurposing unused shoe organizers, metal framing, old gutters, and wood scraps.
3. Finding the right spot for a vertical garden Vertical gardens can be installed either indoors or outdoors. However, one thing to consider is the exposure of the potential place of the garden to sunlight. The wall by which the garden will be installed must receive enough sunlight for the plants to grow.
4. Selecting the right plants The set-up of the garden will depend on the plants that will be grown in it. Succulents, herbs, leafy greens, and flowers are all great options for vertical gardens, as they can grow well in small spaces without needing deep soil. Some fruit-bearing plants and root crops can be modified to grow in such gardens as well.
5. Ensuring proper drainage and irrigation system One of the challenges in setting up a vertical garden is ensuring proper drainage and irrigation systems are in place. Given that plants are not on the ground, there is a need for an efficient system that will adequately fill the moisture needs of the plants.
What to consider before setting up a vertical garden
There are several factors to keep in mind when setting up a vertical garden, including the following:
Exposure to sunlight is crucial for the growth of the plants. The location and the structure of the garden will depend on the type of plants to be used and the suggested amount of sun exposure they need.
Given that vertical gardens tend to dry out quickly, it is vital that plants receive enough water. Setting up irrigation and drainage systems is as important as it will protect plants from damage due to stagnant water.
Choose the proper type of soil for the plants. Some plants may require soil that retains moisture, while others will only thrive in well-draining soil.
It is highly suggested to select materials that are durable and can withstand the weight of your plants, as well as provide adequate drainage.
Eco Sustainable House's collection of vertical garden products are suitable for indoor and outdoor installations. Homeowners, property investors, and businesses can take advantage of its eco-friendly vertical garden solutions, such as the Atlantis Gro Wall range and the Australian-made green wall pots. These products are perfect not just for DIY home projects but also for larger commercial development and applications.
DIY Wall Panel Kits
Eco Sustainable House’s DIY Wall Panel Kits make it easy to create a stunning vertical garden using modular panels and wall-hung pots that can be customized to the customer’s liking. Made from high-quality materials, these wall panels ensure the longevity of the garden. The DIY Wall Panel Kits also come with easy-to-follow instructions, so even beginners can kick-start their own vertical garden projects.
Vertical Garden Kits with Irrigation and Drainage Solutions
For larger projects, Eco Sustainable House’s Gro-Wall Slim-Line Pro is a perfect choice — this kit comes with irrigation and drainage solutions that are easy to install. The drainage and irrigation systems built into the kits make it easy to keep plants healthy by letting excess water drip through the system.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is vertical gardening?
Vertical gardening is a technique of growing plants up and off the ground with the use of vertical structures such as walls, panels, trellises, and fences, instead of traditional plant boxes and garden beds that take up ground space.
While vertical gardening is not an entirely new concept, it is becoming a common way particularly in urban areas to maximize indoor and outdoor spaces, which does not only enhance the visual appeal of any building or structure but can also serve several purposessuch as outdoor privacy screens.
Q: What are the importance and benefits of vertical gardening?
It would only take vertical gardening to truly transform a residential or commercial development or even a home. Someone who wants to spice up a nook in their home can set up a vertical garden that can even grow herbs and vegetables. Vertical gardens can also help business owners make a statement or reinforce a brand of sustainability. Skyscrapers can incorporate vertical gardens to make their facade stand out from the concrete jungle.
Q: How hard is it to maintain a vertical garden? It is typically easier to tend to a vertical garden than a traditional garden. However, it still requires some maintenance, such as watering, pruning, and pest control. The maintenance required will ultimately depend on the type of plants included in the garden.
Q: How long does it take to grow a vertical garden? The time it takes to grow a vertical garden depends on factors such as the type of plants used, growing conditions, and the desired size and density of the garden. While some plants take only a few weeks to grow, there are others that can take several months to thrive.
Q: Can vertical gardens be used in areas with limited access to water? Yes, several techniques like hydroponics and drip irrigation can help vertical gardens work with limited access to water by conserving and deploying water efficiently.
Q: Can I use the Eco Sustainable House’s vertical garden kits for outdoor gardens? Yes! All of our kits are designed to be used both indoors and outdoors, so you can create a beautiful garden no matter where you are.
Q: How do I install the wall panel kit? Each kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions, but if you need further assistance, our customer support team is always available to help.
Q: Do I need to have any gardening experience to use Eco Sustainable House’s vertical garden kits? Not at all! Our kits are designed to be easy to use, even for beginners.
Q: Can I customise my vertical garden? Absolutely! Our DIY Wall Panel Kits and Hanging Pot Kits allow you to customise your garden to your liking. The panels are easy to cut, you can hand as many or as little pots as you like or you can change the shape of your modular kits.
Q: Do you offer shipping Australia-wide? Yes, we offer to ship Australia-wide. Shipping costs will vary depending on your location, but we strive to keep our rates as low as possible.
Thank you for visiting Eco Sustainable House's collection of Vertical Gardens. We hope you find the perfect kit for your space and look forward to helping you create a beautiful and functional garden. Please reach out if you did not quite find what you are after.
Vertical gardening is a technique of growing plants up and off the ground with the use of vertical structures such as walls, panels, trellises, and fences, instead of traditional plant boxes and garden beds that take up ground space.
While vertical gardening is not an entirely new concept, it is becoming a common way particularly in urban areas to maximize indoor and outdoor spaces, which does not only enhance the visual appeal of any building or structure but can also serve several purposes.
It is typically easier to tend to a vertical garden than a traditional garden. However, it still requires some maintenance, such as watering, pruning, and pest control. The maintenance required will ultimately depend on the type of plants included in the garden.
The time it takes to grow a vertical garden depends on factors such as type of plants used, growing conditions, and the desired size and density of the garden. While some plants take only a few weeks to grow, there are others that can take several months to thrive.
Yes, several techniques like hydroponics and drip irrigation can help vertical gardens work with limited access to water by conserving and deploying water efficiently.
This depends on the climate where you live and what your goal is for the vertical garden. If you want to grow fresh vegies then you are going to look at your small salad greens and hanging variety tomatoes etc. Tall plants like corn or celery aren't going to work. Lots of herbs and spices are perfect for an aromatic garden. Don't forget strawberries. If you are looking for a more architectural look you will most likely choose ferns, succulents and bromeliaeds. Plants that work well in the shade. For pure privacy you might want to consider climbing ivy's.
Simple answer is top down and this is eco friendly as water isn't wasted. The pots have holes in the bottom of them, covered by a small piece of geofabric. When there is excess water it runs from the bottom of one pot to the top of the one underneath. If you have a staggered design then you might need to drip irrigate each pot.
You will need to account for this when designing your vertical garden. Water will pass top to bottom. If on a patio you might have a natural fall that rain water runs off to. In an outdoor garden area this water would go to ground and not be an issue. If you are indoors you definitely need to design drainage run off.
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