Growing up the wall

Walls and fences in cities across the globe are being adorned with vegetation. Picture Getty

When you think of a vegetable garden, the image that generally springs to mind is that of a potager-style patch in a perfect backyard with its nice neat rows and weed-free soil and all the plants lush with vigour and vitality. The kind of garden Peter Rabbit would feel quite at home in, as he attempted to steal carrots from under the nose of Mr McGregor.

However we live in different times, far removed from the idyllic days when everyone had a large plot, a handful of chickens and even a pig or two in their own backyard to supplement their diets.

Not only are we a lot busier than we used to be, but our backyards are smaller and in some cases have been replaced by balconies at lofty heights with incredible views. This is the way of modern life in a bustling metropolis.

Yet the desire to want to grow food is almost an instinctual need within us, linking us back to those early days.

Often little more can be done other than a pot or two of herbs on a sunny windowsill.

Fortunately this need to grow food in busy places with a lack of space has found an outlet through creative gardeners and they have developed a way to make even the smallest spot yield a bountiful harvest.

Vertical gardening is all the rage.

Making the most of previously unused spaces is the popular way to garden. Walls and fences in cities across the globe are being adorned with vegetative materials.

Some are huge and spectacularly intricate in their design and ability to improve the energy-efficiency of the buildings, add biodiversity to the city and even reduce air pollution.

On a much smaller scale this trend in growing allows many green-thumbed gardeners to enjoy something that was once denied to them. A small space is now no longer an obstacle to being able to harvest fresh produce.

And as with all things at the height of fashion there are many options available to the keen gardener. From planters that hang from balconies in modern shapes and colours to a wide range of systems that hang from a fence or a sunny wall, there is something to suit everyone.

There are even a multitude of ideas for the truly creative to build their own vertical garden system and a quick search on the internet will reward you with many beautiful DIY designs.

This style of gardening has limitless possibilities.

Design is one thing; however we are growing living things and in order for even the fanciest vertical system to look as incredible as it should there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

*Choose the right location for you garden. Ideally you need to choose your sunniest wall or fence so your plants can function at their best. Having said that, even a shady south-facing balcony will be able to grow a great salad crop in the height of summer.

*Make sure your system is attached firmly to the wall or fence. Plants in the peak of perfection, plus the soil they are growing in, can be quite a weight. If you aren't able to attach it to a wall consider constructing a simple frame to hang your garden from.

*One of the key points of gardening is quality soil gives quality plants. This is the same in the backyard garden as it is halfway up a wall. Start with the best quality potting mix you can afford to ensure your plants have a good foundation.

*Plants have their own sense of personal space and so it might not be possible to grow all things. Do your research. If the plant ordinarily needs to be grown a metre apart and requires support for growth of over a metre tall, it may not be the plant for your vertical garden.

*During their lives suspended above the ground these plants will rely on you for everything. Especially water. Their roots will be unable to grow beyond the soil in order to seek out moisture. They will also be more at risk of drying out due to their location. Careful attention needs to be paid to these plants to keep them hydrated and in perfect health. A good watering once or twice a day will keep these plants happy, or better still -- if possible set up a drip irrigation system to ensure they don't dry out.

*Food is also something you will need to give the plants as in the confined space of the hanging container they will quickly use up what nutrients are contained in the soil. Regular feeding with an appropriate plant food will ensure the plant doesn't even realise it isn't in the ground and will reward you with a great harvest in the midst of the busy city.

Lack of space is no longer an obstacle to growing delicious fresh vegetables, just use your wall.
Sarah is a garden blogger, speaker and author.
Her books The Good Life and Play in the Garden are available now.

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