You know that feeling you get when you walk by a garden, and the colors just make your heart skip a beat? I’ve been daydreaming about creating my own little green oasis, right in my tiny apartment. Is it crazy to think a vertical garden could transform my space? I mean, why shouldn’t I have a bit of nature surrounding me? Just a few weeks ago, I stumbled across an old picture of my grandmother tending to her vibrant flower beds, and it hit me: I miss that connection with greenery. So here I am, excited but slightly intimidated—how do you even start a vertical garden? Anyone else feel a thrill at the thought of growing herbs and flowers in a compact little setup? Let's dive in together!
Items You’ll Need
- Vertical garden planter
- Potting soil
- Seeds or seedlings
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Garden gloves
- Fertilizer (liquid or granular)
- Plant labels or markers
- Trellis or support structures (if needed)
- Drip irrigation kit (optional)
- Plant pots (if using separate pots)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment
Before I dive in, I gather all my supplies: the vertical garden planter, potting soil, seeds or seedlings, watering can, garden gloves, fertilizer, plant labels, and any trellis or support structures I might need.
Step 2: Choose the Location
Next, I find the perfect spot for my vertical garden. It should get plenty of sunlight, so I pick a wall or a corner of my yard that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.
Step 3: Prepare the Vertical Planter
I open up the vertical garden planter and check that it is clean. If it has any old soil or dead plant material, I remove it to start fresh!
Step 4: Fill with Potting Soil
I put on my garden gloves and start filling the vertical planter with potting soil. I make sure to fill it about three-quarters full, leaving some space at the top for the seeds or seedlings.
Step 5: Choose Your Plants
Now comes a fun part—choosing the plants! I pick my favorite herbs and flowering plants to grow in my vertical garden. I arrange my seeds or seedlings on the soil to visualize how I want them to look.
Step 6: Plant the Seeds/Seedlings
I carefully plant the seeds or seedlings into the potting soil, following the instructions on the seed packets for the right depth and spacing. I label each type of plant with plant labels so I can keep track of them.
Step 7: Water the Plants
With my watering can, I gently give the newly planted seeds and seedlings a good drink. I want to make sure they have enough moisture to start growing!
Step 8: Setup for Support Structures
If I’m growing climbing plants, I now install the trellis or support structures. I attach them securely so my plants have something to hold onto as they grow up!
Step 9: Fertilize the Soil
To give my garden a boost, I mix some fertilizer into the soil according to the package instructions. This will help the plants flourish!
Step 10: Watering Schedule
I set a watering schedule for my garden and note down when to check on my plants and give them water—usually once a week or more if it's hot!
Step 11: Enjoy the Growth
Now it's just a waiting game! I check on my garden daily, marveling at how quickly the plants begin to sprout and grow. I take pictures to document the journey!