Get Out in the Garden
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Get Out in the Garden

Hello, my name is Gina and this is my garden equipment and supplies blog. For many years, I lived alone in a small flat in Sydney. It was quite a lonely existence. However, all that changed when I met a lovely man. We fell in love and I moved into his large home out in the country. My lover has a very large and wonderful garden. He taught me how to care for the plants and trees and how to use different forms of gardening equipment. I decided to start a blog to pass on everything I have learnt to others.

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Get Out in the Garden

An Introduction to Vertical Gardening

Steven Lee

Gardening isn't just an enjoyable way to spend some time, it's also good for your health. Studies have shown that gardening is associated with a range of benefits, from lowered blood pressure to improved well-being and self-esteem. Unfortunately, we don't all have the space needed for a full-scale garden. If you want the enjoyment and relaxation of gardening in the space provided by a small house or urban flat, vertical gardening is the answer. 

The basics

Instead of spreading over a wide area, a vertical garden grows upward, either growing up a wall or trellis or in a series of boxes or baskets arranged in tiers. With the right arrangement and the right plants, a vertical garden can provide visual interest or a supply of fresh vegetables. 

Structure and materials

There are many different ways to create a vertical garden. You can buy tiers of shelves intended specifically for vertical gardening, but it's also simple enough to make a structure out of other materials. Ordinary garden trellises make a good base for a vertical garden; alternatively, reused materials like shipping pallets or chain-link fence make good structures. Distribute hanging baskets, flower pots or window boxes across the structure, attaching them with hooks or tying them in place. The classic base for these gardens is felt, which absorbs water and gives roots a surface to attach to. Many vertical gardeners place a sheet of plastic between the garden and the wall behind it to protect the wall from moisture damage. 

Positioning your vertical garden

Once you've decided how you're going to make your garden, you need a place to put it. Choose a wall that gets the right amount of sunlight for your plants; different species need different amounts of sun. If you have a lighter garden, such as one made from hanging cloth pockets, you can move it around to get a consistent amount of exposure throughout the year. A vertical garden may require excess watering if it gets a lot of sun, so make sure you can water its upper reaches. You may need to install a simple drip-feed system to water plants you can't reach or be able to lower baskets or boxes for watering. 

Vertical gardens are all different, with a wide range of plants, positions and materials. What they all have in common is that they bring the healthy enjoyment of gardening into spaces that otherwise would never be able to support it. With some ingenuity and the right materials, you can start a garden even in the smallest space. 


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