Seedling Magazine

visually pleasing landscape or to be functional vegetable
gardens.
Geting the Most from Vertical
Garden Designs
Don't be afraid to scour garage sales and garden shops for
trellises and other support structures to enhance the vertical
design. Other supports like chains, chicken wire and plastic,
wooden or metal frames are also ideal for starting a vertical
garden.
Try to assimilate the support structure with the type of plants
and their growth patterns. Recycle plastic packing bags,
especially "bubble wrap," that can be used as a backing for a
wall frame.
Use two rectangular lengths of bubble wrap to fit into a
plastic, wooden or metal frame. Secure into the frame with
nails or tacks, fill with potting soil and add plants.
The bubble wrap will keep moisture in plants and encourage
root growth more quickly. Framed vertical gardens create the
image of a wall mural with live plants.
Attach lengths of chains to "S" hooks, and attach several tiers
of planter boxes filled with potting soil and flowers, herbs or
other greenery. Then, hang these from beneath the fascia
board under the eaves of the house or fence.
Another way to hang these is to rescue the steel frame of a
porch swing. The frame makes an excellent support that is as
useful as it is attractive and will hang up to a dozen planter
boxes, depending on the size of the boxes and length of the
chains. Try varying the chain lengths for a more eye­catching
garden feature.
Creative Designs to Consider
One of the most functional types of vegetable gardens is
started vertically in containers. For this design, choose a
sunny location, and a sturdy base for a vertical hanging
vegetable garden. The types of vegetables that can be grown
in this way include:
­ Cucumbers
­ Tomatoes
­ Peppers
­ Beans
­ Squash
­ Eggplant
seedling magazine | 51