In short, vertical gardening systems are defined as anything that’s used to raise plants vertically up and off of the ground. They come in dozens of different forms and shapes and are used for a wide variety of things. From covering a rooftop to enclosing a garden, vertical gardening systems are versatile, easy to use, and definitely efficient. Let’s take a look at some of the many uses of vertical gardening systems.
One of the most common places you see vertical gardening systems is in larger urban gardens. These gardens are usually planted with hydroponic systems designed to provide the support necessary for taller growing plants to thrive. Many urban gardens in major cities are designed around trees, but there are also gardens covering rooftops, public patios, driveways, walkways, and more. Because of the way urban gardens are built, tall-growing plants are often needed, and with a vertical gardening system they can provide the support many of these tall plants need.
Some of the other uses for vertical gardening systems are in arbors and pergolas. Both of these structures have to provide support for climbing plants, but since arbors don’t have the natural wood finish of other structures, they can be especially susceptible to damage from wind, rain, and snow. This makes them a great choice for tall structures, like arbors and pergolas. Pergolas can also be used outdoors in walkways, as well as inside. They’re also commonly used as decorative elements in gardens and public spaces.
The final place you’ll find vertical gardening systems is in smaller environments, like window boxes and hanging baskets. For these pieces, the plants grow higher up because of the lattice work they have to support. Hanging baskets have vines that grow taller because they’re not connected to each other, so the higher up they grow, the lower they can hang. Both of these pieces are great for providing support for climbing plants, but since they don’t have natural wood finish, they’re also prone to damage from cold, wind, rain, or snow.
A key feature of vertical gardening systems is that they give plants their own specialized nutrients. This is different from hydroponic systems, where the nutrient load is distributed among a large number of plants. With vertical gardening systems, plants get the exact nutrients they need, as close as possible to the source. This means more nutrients in the soil, which translates into healthier plants. In hydroponic systems, nutrients are spread out, meaning plants may not get all of the nutrients they need. This results in a leafy, green plants with little energy, and unhealthy roots.
Vertical garden beds also allow you to control the temperature of your garden bed. While some hydroponics systems require a certain temperature for optimal growth, vertical gardening systems are highly customizable. You can choose a climate zone, or you can simply place your bed in a specific room of your house. That way, you can control the temperature inside your home and still grow healthy plants.
One key benefit of vertical gardening systems is that they allow gardeners to grow vegetables closer to their homes, reducing the overall gardening time. This allows gardeners to grow fresh, nutritious veggies in small spaces, for faster growth times and fewer trips to the grocery store. Many apartment dwellers or urban planners find it difficult to grow their own vegetables because space is at a premium, making access to a garden often impossible. With these systems, a gardener can grow fresh vegetables almost everywhere, increasing the odds of a successful harvest.
The best vertical gardening systems are designed to be aesthetically pleasing as well as productive. This means that you’ll want to pay attention to the details of your system, from the type of pergola that you build to the design of the trellis system. If you’re looking for an elegant look, pergolas are a great option. If you want something that’s quick to assemble or install, arbors made of plastic tubing sections of wire attached on the bottom will work just fine.