As more and more of us are living in cities or downsizing, space becomes an increasingly valuable commodity. So, if you don’t have a garden, there are still lots of ways to grow healthy herbs at home. Instead of going low and wide, you can go up.
Vertical gardens are a great way of making the most of a little space. They are still a new concept for most of us, so here are a few ideas for creating your own vertical green room.
Planning your space
Think about what you would like the vertical garden for. Do you want to grow herbs for cooking, or are you looking for something that adds life to a bare wall?
You could have an empty corner in the kitchen where you could add LED lights and nutrient mist, as a source of food. Aeroponic systems come with inbuilt LED lights, so even a dark corner can work.
The biggest challenge is that complete aeroponic systems aren’t cheap. But if you want an easier solution than making a garden yourself, an aeroponic system is a good option.
A question of light
Most herbs need a good amount of light. That means six to eight hours a day from the sun. So, if you’re thinking of outside, find a place that gets a good amount of sunshine each day.
If you’re thinking of inside, then you can buy LED grow lights to replace the sun. Your local home store should be able to help with indoor lights that are suitable for plants.
Light-loving herbs
Here are a few ideas for plants that will thrive in a vertical herb garden. As long as they have light, nutrients and a little space, these herbs will deliver through spring and summer.
- Basil: great in dishes with tomatoes. Think Mediterranean
- Coriander: great for topping rice, curry and stews. Think Asian and Middle Eastern
- Oregano: add to salsa, tacos. Think Mexican
- Parsley: ideal with summer salads
- Rosemary: the go-to herb for meat dishes and potatoes
- Sage: add to pumpkin and cheese
Get creative with structure
If you’re handy, or know someone who is, you could make your own rows of vertical pots. How about painting and repurposing some old watering cans? Just remember to put a hole in the bottom of the can to allow excess water to drain.
Or how about some old terracotta pots? You could paint them in different colors and add some mosaics to make your own creative garden.
Or, if time is short, you can buy a ready-made vertical set up. Then all you need to add is soil.
Are there limits to vertical herb gardening?
Vertical gardening does have a few limitations:
- Weight. The weight of soil, plants, and structures in vertical gardens can become heavy. So, it’s important that the supporting structure is strong enough to bear the weight.
- Limited plant selection. The types of plants suitable for vertical gardening are limited. It’s not suitable for plants with extensive root systems or great size when fully grown.
- Maintenance. Vertical herb gardens need more frequent watering and maintenance compared to traditional gardens, due to the reduced soil depth and faster evaporation.
- Drainage. Good drainage is critical for healthy plants, and even more so in a vertical set up. Without it, excess water will accumulate and lead to root rot.
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