VERTICAL VEGETABLE GARDEN

BY: http://www.renttoown.ph

FROM: http://www.instructables.com

Hoover: A lady from Somerset, England solved a problem by creating a vertical herb garden. Below is the step by step process that ANYONE can follow. This is a great idea especially for those living in condominiums and apartments with a little balcony space to spare.

www.renttoown.ph

''How to solve a problem like cats digging and toileting in the vegetable patch'', and growing vegetables in a very small garden. I needed a solution and the answer occurred to me after watching The Chelsea Flower Show on TV and seeing walls of flowers and herbs. The only thing I had on hand was a hanging pocket shoe storage and I decided to use it to grow my plants in. 

STEP 1: Materials needed

- Hanging pocket shoe organiser 

- Pole and attachments ( curtain pole or pipe fittings, screws). 

- Strong metal saucepan or utensil hanging hooks 

- Compost of a good quality moisture holding type. 

- Selection of plants or seeds... e.g. mixed leaf salad, herbs,sorrel, peas, mini tomatoes. 

- Piece of wood 2"x2" as long as the width of the pocket store to keep the base of pockets away from the wall. 

- Trough planter to catch drips. 

STEP 2: Attach pole to shed or wall

www.renttoown.ph

I attached a strong chrome pole with metal fittings to the shed or wall. You could use a curtain pole. Make sure it is at the correct height especially if you want to grow plants in a trough below ( see step 7). This uses the surplus water from the pockets above. 

STEP 3: Attach hanging shoe  organizer

www.renttoown.ph

Use strong hooks or wire to attach the shoe store. They must be strong enough to support the weight of the compost, plants and water. 

STEP 4: Test drainage

www.renttoown.ph

Pour water into the pockets to check the drainage, if they don't drain then make a few small holes in each of the pockets.

STEP 5: Fill each pocket with compost

www.renttoown.ph

Add a good moisture retaining compost, fill to 1" below the rim so that water does not pour out over the rim.

STEP 6: Add plants or seeds

www.renttoown.ph

Sow seeds or add seedlings I suggest....

- herbs thyme, sorrel, chives, basil

- salad mixed leaf, mustard, cut and come again, or spinach

- cherry tomatoes

STEP 7: "Drip Aid"

www.renttoown.ph

Use a piece of wood attached to the bottom back of the shoe organizer to make sure the excess water drips into the trough below. 

STEP 8: Maintenance

- Water slowly with a gentle flow

- Add water retaining crystals to the compost. HINT... add water to some crystals in a container and allow them to swell then add that to the compost and fill your containers, otherwise when the crystals swell they can grow so much that they push the compost, seeds and plants out!! 

- Plants like tomatoes will need regular Tomato fertilizer (and use slow release granules) as the fertility of the compost will soon get exhausted.

- Do not over pick salad leaves, so the plant regrows.

- It is important to keep a look out for aphids, slugs, caterpillars and other pests. 

- Remove diseased, infected or damaged leaves... compost them.

- Remove unproductive plants and compost them

- When reusing pockets add some fresh compost.

Now you have your own organized, vertical vegetable garden!