Benefits of Vertical Gardens and What to Grow

Want to create a little home garden but lack space? Have a large yard but just want to use a small part of it for plants, veggies, and fruit? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. The best approach is to start a vertical garden, where you grow plants on vertical surfaces such as walls and hanging baskets. Let’s dig deeper into the benefits.

Why Start a Vertical Garden?

1. Saves space

The vertical garden is a space-saver and you may organize the space in your vertical garden as you like. Put up as many pots as you want without worrying about crowding.

2. Saves water

One of the most advantageous aspects of vertical gardening is that it decreases water waste. It’s easier to not over-water your plants compared to gardens in soil. You can use a rain barrel along with a solar-powered watering system. When the weather is hot, the solar-powered automated watering system helps you by automatically giving extra water to plants.

3. Purifies air

Vertical gardens, living walls, or green walls help make your air nontoxic. When you add an air purifier plant to your vertical garden, it collects dangerous VOCs and poisons such as carbon monoxide from the air. This helps with both indoor and outdoor air quality.

4. Provides a sense of purpose

The health advantages of gardening are not only physical but also mental. While gardening and growing food, people feel like control over something, which helps to ease the stress of uncontrollable circumstances in their lives. The delicious veggies and fruit you obtain from gardening is also a mood-booster. 

5. Ensures organic, chemical-free produce

When you grow your own produce, you can avoid toxic fertilizers that are damaging to your health and the environment. You can be certain that what you are eating is safe, natural, and organic. 

6. Works as an educational activity for children

Involve your kids in growing plants in your vertical garden. You can spend quality time with children and expose them to nature. Research found that children who help with gardening consume more fruit and vegetables than children who do not.

As a natural next step, you can involve them in preparing meals with the produce they helped you grow. Hands-on experience helps kids learn and build life skills such as cooking and self-sufficiency. Of course, the time away from the screen is a huge plus.

7. Protects plants from pests and pets

Vertical gardening may reduce or remove the threat of some pests such as slugs and snails. Your pets or those of your neighbours are also less likely to destroy your garden. This gardening method also protects plants against fungal diseases.

What to Grow in Your Vertical Garden?

You may experiment with a vertical garden to make it fit your space and your tastes. Now, what should you plant in a vertical garden? Most fruit and vegetables, as well as most herbs, can be grown in a vertical garden. To get the most out of this method, you can use a variety of tools and pots. This garden tower is a wonderful way to maximize a limited amount of space. It also has an amazing composting system.

1. Tomatoes

The bright red colour of fresh tomatoes is appealing. Tomatoes are usually easy to grow, but in some climates, they might struggle. Tomatoes require high-quality, nutrient-rich soil. The soil is especially essential when growing tomatoes in pots or a vertical garden. Purchase potting soil that contains all the nutrients required for a healthy tomato plant.

2. Cucumbers

Cucumbers, which are both beautiful and tasty, are good for vertical gardens. Growing cucumbers vertically makes them easier to water. You can water them straight at the main stems. Also, the vegetable will be cleaner because it does not come into contact with dirt and it will grow straighter. Cucumbers are easy to harvest in vertical gardens because they are at eye level and not hidden by foliage.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries are also good for vertical gardens. You can grow and eat this delicious fruit even if you don’t have much room. You can plant them separately in different pots or in a strawberry planting tower, which can hold 20 plants. Use nutrient-rich soil and water the plants regularly.

Related article: The Future of Vertical Farming: Overview & Benefits

Conclusion: Vertical Gardening for Healthy, Eco-Friendly Living 

The benefits of vertical gardening are numerous for both you, your children, and the environment. You can turn gardening into a family activity. When children are exposed to nature, they learn the value of being environmentally sensitive.

At Green Schools Green Future, we teach the next generations about nature through hands-on activities such as gardening and encourage them to practice healthy habits for them and the world around them.