BUILDING A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN YOUR PARK - National ...

3. Hanging Containers – Select vegetables and herbs in vine-form, clump-form, and dwarf varieties.Tomatoes, squash, and herbs are good candidates. Do not be afraid to add flowers to the mix tomake your containers beautiful and practical. The location of the hanging containers is an importantconsideration because they will need full sun. Avoid hanging them under a porch or eave of a housewhere there can be too much shade. Rotate containers frequently to allow all plants adequate lightlevels. Hanging containers can be purchased or made from recycled soda bottles.4. Unusual Containers – Almost any container that can hold soil can be used for a container garden.Plastic gutters can be attached to a wall and turned into a terraced garden. Hanging shoe storagepockets can be used to grow lettuce, herbs, and small vegetables. Any large bucket, tub, or pot canhave a new life as a garden.Figure6.12.Herbs inbeautifulblue pots.Photocourtesyof LaurelHarringtonFigure6.13. Ahangingtomatoplanter atMissouriBotanicalGarden.Photocourtesyof LaurelHarringtonVertical gardensIf your area is tight on space or dominated by pavement, think vertical! Look for creative ways to hangyour garden on a wall or train your plants to grow vertical. Another advantage to vertical gardening is thatthe harvest of your crop can be made accessible to children or to those in a wheelchair. Small spaces canencompass multiple vegetable plantings, such as rhubarb, climbing peas, and herbs. We have provided afew examples of vertical-style gardens here.1. Espalier – For hundreds of years, fruit and nut trees have been “espaliered” (trained to grow flat andwide on a wire or support). You can use this strategy, among others, to conserve space in the garden,add an interesting feature, or add a plant that would not fit otherwise. Trees, shrubs, and vines canalso be trained to grow in ornamental patterns.2. Garden Walls – Garden wall systems are made up of a grid pattern of small cells that hold soil andplants. They can be purchased or constructed for this use. They are a space-saver and can dress upa blank wall. Walls with southern exposure are best for this type of garden. Be aware that the smallamounts of soil can dry out quickly.3. Fence Gardens – Do you have existing chain-link fences? Grow vine-form vegetables such assquash, cucumbers, peas, and beans on the fence. Your fence is transformed into an attractive greenwall for the summer and covered in easy-to-harvest vegetables.42Building a Community Garden in Your Park