Vertical Gardening: The art of growing plants up and over trellises
& other types of support structures
About Vertical Gardening:  
Vertical Gardening:  What is it?

As the name implies, Vertical Gardening simply means growing plants vertically.
Some examples of vertical gardening are:
  • Peas or beans climbing up corn stalks.
  • Ivy growing up a wall.
  • Plants growing in pots or containers that are raised off the ground.
  • Plants growing up and over trellises & other types of support structures.
This website focuses on the last example:  growing plants up and over trellises & other types of support structures.
Corn, strawberries, beans Squash on horizontal trellis
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Pumpkin dangling from vertical trellis Vertical Gardening:  Why do it?

Here are a few reasons to garden vertically:
  • If you want a garden, but don't have much ground space.
  • Adds an upward dimension to an otherwise flat garden.
  • Provides natural shade for an area, like a wall, walkway, or bench.
  • The vegetables grow suspended above the ground so they:
    • are easy to find & easy to pick
    • avoid damage from moisture & insects on the ground
  • The plants grow upright (instead of sprawling on the ground and on each other), which can provide the following benefits:
    • Good air circulation between plants (which can reduce mold & mildew problems)
    • Access to more sunlight at the higher levels, so plants (and yields) can be bigger.
    • Easy to spot  garden pests early, in time to take corrective action.
    • Easy to access the soil for treatments or amendments
      (e.g., in vinyards where grape vines are suspended on trellises)
Squash basking on horizontal trellis Vertical trellis shading wall Overhead trellis shading walkway
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Vertical Gardening:  Who can do it?

Anybody with the means and motivation to garden can create a vertical garden.
If you enjoy constructing small support structures (or know somebody who does), so much the better.

 Vertical trellis shading wall, May
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Half-grown tomato plants in cages Vertical Gardening:  Where to do it?

You can garden vertically anywhere plants can grow.
You can do it outside in large spaces or small spaces.
Even if you don't have any ground space, you can garden vertically using pots or other types of containers.
You can even create a vertical garden indoors near a sunlit window or by using grow lights.
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Vertical Gardening:  When to do it?

If possible, plan to construct your support structures before planting your plants or seeds.
That way, you won’t disturb the growth of your plants during the construction process.		 Young plants in raised beds with trellises
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Vertical Gardening:  How to do it?    
  1. To start out, it might help if you answer a few general questions:
    1. What type(s) of plant(s) do you want to grow vertically?
      • Fruits (e.g., grapes)
      • Flowers
      • Vegetables (e.g., peas, beans, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers)
      • Vines (e.g., ivy)
    2. How big will the plants get?
    3. Where will the vertical garden be located?
      • Indoors or outdoors?
      • Full sun or partial shade?
    4. Will the plants be in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers?
    5. What type of support structure do you have in mind?
      • Wood, metal, masonry, or some combination?
      • Trellis? Vertical, horizontal, or angled?
      • Archway?
      • Gazebo?
  
  1. Then develop a rough plan, either on paper or in your head.
    • You can look at what other people have done
    • Or consider the materials you have on hand and use your imagination.
  2. Obtain the materials you'll need:
    • Poles
    • Pre-made trellises:  wood or metal
    • Screws
    • Rope or twine
    • Reinforcing slats
  3. Obtain any tools you'll need
    • e.g., drill, screwdriver, ladder
    • If you don't have the tools, you might be able to borrow them from friends or neighbors.
  4. Construct the support structure.
  5. Plant the plants or seeds.
  6. Water the plants, as needed.
  7. Sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the plants grow up.
Young plants in 2 raised beds & barrels with trellises
When the plants are small, they might need
a little help to find the support structure. 		  Half-grown plants in 2 raised beds with trellises
As the plants grow bigger, they might need a little
more help to keep from straying off the support
structure.
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