It’s Friday so I’m Fumbling With Being Green again. My video assistant is at school for lunch today, so there’s no vlog. Just as well, this way I don’t have to worry about changing out of my sweatshirt and yoga pants. 
I’ve been festering all week trying to figure out how to build a vertical garden. I think it would just be a fantastic use of space – and I’m all about efficient (except when my procrastination gets in the way – I know, I’m an enigma). Until I started doing a bit of research, I didn’t realize how popular this idea was – especially in the urban farming community. There are hundreds of ideas out there on how to create a vertical garden.
I want a vertical vegetable garden, so I skipped over the living walls and living art posts. They’re alright, but in my house plants belong in a pot. I have 3 kids and 2 dogs – there are safety concerns (I’m concerned about my carpet mostly) I have been drooling over Wooly Pockets and other ‘just assemble’ kits you can buy online, but they’re not my idea of affordable (ie/ mostly free).
A quick twitter chat with fellow blogger Shawna Coronoda at The Casual Gardener opened my eyes. A vertical garden upcycling pallets? How cool is that? Plus, I’m totally envious of her fairy garden – that looks like a lot of fun.
So, I did a bit of digging (pun intended) and this is what I found. Anyone interested in taking up the vertical garden challenge with me? Bonus points if you can include some kind of fairy element to it 
Fun ways to upcycle old things for a vertical garden. Really creative stuff here.
How to turn a pallet into a Garden by Life on the Balcony
Here’s HGTV’s version of the danmade vertical garden – Not sold on this design myself.
Here’s Patrick Blanc – lots of inspiration ideas here. The creator of the vertical garden/living wall. This is solidly in the way-too-big-not-for-me category – but the pics are fabulous.
Great list of questions to ask yourself before getting started vertical gardening.
A vertical garden using reclaimed rain gutters (eave strophes) Very cool.
A prettier version of the diy pallet garden.
DIY vertical garden upcycling shoe organizers.
The Garden Girl has a bit of a different take on it. Fun video below. Go big or go home.
Will you be planting a garden this summer? Would you consider vertical gardening?
Subscribe to this Blog or Subscribe to my Facebook profile – I never post more than once or twice a day.
Coleen Patrick says:
I love the idea of gardening, but my execution stinks. Luckily my husband is good at it. I think I will show him this idea. I really like the fairy theme!
Coleen Patrick recently posted..Looking for a Sign That He Loves You
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
I asked my girls if they would build a fairy garden with me and they both just looked at me funny. I think it’s a fabulous idea myself
Debra Kristi says:
I’m with Coleen. I have such a black thumb.
I need an intervention. Someone come save my plants. LOL But I still want to try something down my barren side yard. Maybe, when time and money permits.
Debra Kristi recently posted..Enriched Through Spontaneity
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
Ugh – that’s a huge bugbear for me. Why is gardening so darn expensive? I’ve decided this year I’m not buying one more plant for my garden. I’m going to do plant exchanges, etc. Go to yardsales and upcycle containers. I’m determined
Emma Burcart says:
I’m not much of a gardener, so I won’t be planting a vertical garden although it looks like a cool idea. I do want to try and have one pot out on the patio, though. Maybe herbs or strawberries. Oh, or tomatoes! I love those fresh from the garden. Since I’m going to be moving across the country away from my family, I’m either going to have to grow them myself or start going to one of those farmers market things. Right now, I just go visit my parents and eat what my step-mom grows.
Emma Burcart recently posted..He Just Isn’t The One
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
Best of luck with the move. On a long move, it seems like something always gets broken
Someday I’m going to have my own orange tree. Indoors, obviously – one of those mini ones I see in the nurseries. Someday.
Pingback/Trackback
Blog Treasures 4~28 | Gene Lempp's Blog
Ann Stanley says:
I love the ideas! My partner made a compost bin out of pallets last year. I think that one of these vertical pallets would work great for strawberries. Ours tend to get eaten by something or rot a bit, so getting them off the ground would be great. I think I’d paint the pallet. I like the way the grain shows through that yellow on your prettier version link.
For those without a green thumb, let me say that I am terrible with house plants but lots of fertilizer and compost has turned me into a great outside gardener. Oh, and one of those flat hoses with holes in it, and a timer.
Ann Stanley recently posted..The Liebster Blog Award
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
I have to get one of those flat hoses someday. I’m just so cheap! This year, I want to set up a rain barrel of shape or description.
Jenny Hansen says:
Those dog kennels (in the video) are a GENIUS idea!
Jenny Hansen recently posted..X is for X Chromosome: 18 Interesting Facts About Women
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
I know, right! But I’m not going out and buying brand new dog kennels just for that! It’s time to improvise
K.B. Owen says:
What a fabulous clip and great info, Lisa! I’m a container gardener, and vertical is a must. I’m still hoping to grow pumpkins. I try every year! *fingers crossed*
Good luck,
Kathy
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
Pumpkins sound ambitious. My kids brought home a pie pumpkin from a school trip and I made a pie with it. It tasted so much better than the stuff from a can. I’d like to try my own too.
Danie says:
Lisa,
Thanks so much for including my blog post in your list of links! I’ve added this blog post to our vertical gardening stack on Delicious – http://www.delicious.com/stacks/view/MaoWSs I completely agree with you on the expense of gardening, and it’s something I’ve struggled with as first a student and now as a National Service Volunteer. There are inexpensive ways if you have patience (something I do not have spades of myself!) If you do not mind growing seeds they are usually inexpensive, and the dollar stores like Dollar Tree have begun selling the peat pellet seed starting trays for a $1! Another option is to buy perennials at the end of the season. They don’t look as pretty, but with a little loving care they will be beautiful over the next growing season! I have a fern that I bought from Wal-Mart that was half-dead 2 years ago for a couple dollars, and now it’s beautiful
) Good luck with the gardening!
Danie recently posted..Updated: How To Can
Lisa Hall-Wilson says:
You’re welcome – and thanks! Yes – I’ve been surprised at some of the great gardening finds to be had at the Dollar Store.
Pingback/Trackback
Eating Forward - Lisa Hall-Wilson | Lisa Hall-Wilson