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Vertical vegetable gardening is definitely coming into its own. Many of us want to take back control of what we eat but we have limited space to do so. That’s where the brilliance of vertical gardening comes in.

TreeHugger features a great infographic (displayed below) on their website with many vertical vegetable gardening ideas.

Steps on how to make a vertical vegetable garden

  1. Choose your location. This will help you determine the size of your garden.
  2. Decide what style of vertical garden you want (more on this below)
  3. Assemble your vertical garden supplies.
  4. Choose your edible plants. Keep in mind the location (sunny versus not sunny) and depth of soil play a large role in what will thrive in your space.
  5. Assemble and plant your garden.

Vertical vegetable garden ideas:

Green Facades

  • Trellis: A trellis is usually a latticework of wood or vinyl
  • Garbage bags: Construction debris bags can be used as low vertical gardens. The construction debris bags are filled with soil and holes are cut for the plants at regular intervals.
  • Stakes: Bamboo poles or any other type of stake can be used to train vines to grow up them.

Living Walls:

  • Plant stacking: Stack plant shelves or pots on either multi-level stands or stack pots on top of each other. From the largest on bottom to the smallest on top.
  • Wall pockets or gardener’s grow bags: Wall pockets or grow bags look like wall shoe holders for plants!
  • Pallets: Closing up a wood pallet can turn it into a great small scale garden. Lay it flat the first couple weeks to ensure the plants take firm root in the soil.
  • Living art frames: These can be actual frames with soil inside. They are beautiful, unique and an excellent technique if you have limited wall space.

Which edibles should I grow:

  • Lettuce: There are many varieties and colors to choose from. Check out Annie’s Heirloom Seeds for their varieties.
  • Microgreens: Have you heard of Microgreens? They are the young seedlings of certain edible vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and onion and are incredibly healthy. In fact, researchers have found their nutrients are up to 40 times higher than their mature selves.
  • Strawberries: These fruit favorites are ideal for wall pockets and create an interesting texture in your garden.
  • Squash: Some squash can be grown on a trellis or tiled pole. Another benefit is their large leaves help shade your smaller plants.
  • Herbs: Many herbs will thrive in your vertical garden.
  • Nasturtium: Nasturtium is an edible flower. In fact, there are many edible flowers you can grow in your edible vertical garden!
  • We give you more vegetable and fruit options here.
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Vertical Gardening Infographic by Tree Hugger

We hope these vertical vegetable gardening ideas are helpful for your edible gardening journey! Vertical edible gardens are a great method for not only taking back control of what you feed your body but even helps beautifully decorate your small space! Good luck and let us know how it goes. If you send us a picture and description of your edible garden, we will post it on our website and give you ALL the credit!