http://easyverticalgardening.com - Vertical gardening is one of the latest trends in growing plants, but it comes with its problems. Urban gardeners with limited space are flocking to the concept of growing vertically, yet they quickly discover that containers can be heavy, soil can dry out and water can leak out of the planter ruining the area around it.

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2. Vertical Gardening
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3. Vertical Gardening
• Vertical gardening is one of the latest trends
in growing plants... but there are problems.

4. Vertical Gardening
• Urban gardeners with limited space are
flocking to the concept of growing
vertically, yet they quickly discover that
containers can be heavy, soil can dry out
and water can leak out of the planter ruining
the area around it.

5. Vertical Gardening
• Although there are negative issues
associated with vertical gardens, many
problems can be avoided if gardeners know
what to do.
• Let’s look at 3 common situations and
possible solutions.

6. 1. Heavy Containers

7. Heavy Containers
• A vertical garden may
be no heavier than its
horizontal counterpart,
yet when hung
vertically, it can put
strain on the supporting
structure.
• In the case of a weak
wood fence, this may
not necessarily be a
good idea.

8. Heavy Containers
• To avoid this dilemma,
gardeners can use a
number of smaller
planters spaced evenly
apart over a wide area to
appear larger.

9. Heavy Containers
• Shallower planters that
hold less soil, like gutter
gardens, can eliminate a
lot of weight as well.
• Drought-tolerant
succulents don’t require
much water, which
lighten a vertical garden
considerably.

10. Heavy Containers
• Some long or tall
structures can be placed
on the ground and then
leaned up against a wall
or fence, such as a pallet
garden.
• This takes a significant
amount of weight off of
the supporting structure.

11. Heavy Containers
• Alternatively, potted
plants can be hung or set
on leaning ladder
shelves.

12. 2. Dry Soil

13. Dry Soil
• Plants grown in small
containers in full sun
tend to dry out quickly.
• Urban gardeners who
grow their own fruit and
vegetables run across
this situation.

14. Dry Soil
• Setting up a regular drip
watering system can
help keep soil moist
without overwatering.

15. Dry Soil
• Another strategy is to
add vermiculite to your
soil. This additive helps
retain moisture in the
soil.
• Vermiculite can be
found at any gardening
center.

16. 3. Water Leaks

17. Water Leaks
• Traditional potted plants
drain water at their base,
which can be contained
in a saucer.
• Vertical gardens can
drain from the back,
sides or base, and this
can wreck walls and
fences plus make a mess
on a patio or deck.

18. Water Leaks
• To circumvent this
problem, waterproof
backing like plastic
sheeting can be attached
to open garden
containers affixed to a
wall or fence (ie pallet
gardens).
• Alternatively, these
planters can be affixed
to a trellis away from the
wall.

19. Water Leaks
• Another method to
control drainage is to
divert water from upper
planters to lower
planters, as done in a zig
zag gutter garden.
• Attaching a drip line or
pvc pipe to the base of
garden can also divert
excess water to a
specific location.

20. Water Leaks
• Some vertical gardening
containers like Wooly
Pockets use materials
designed to contain
water while providing a
breathable environment
for plants.

21. Getting Started...
• With the right
equipment, planting
materials and planter
design, new gardeners
can bypass common
problems and grow
healthier plants with less
work.

22. Getting Started...
For more tips on vertical gardening methods, supplies
and ideas, visit:
www.EasyVerticalGardening.com