Content
Spacious bed without weed, while occupying a minimum of space - the dream of any housewife. However, even such a whimsical desire can be fulfilled. Manufactured vertical beds They will take up a small area in the yard, and you can plant a huge number of plants on them.
Pros and cons of growing technology
Usage vertical beds popular when growing flowers or strawberries. You can, of course, plant other plants, but you must always calculate the end result.
If we talk about the positive side of vertical cultivation of plantings, they are as follows:
- In vertical beds, plants do not have direct contact with the ground.. This reduces the risk of fungus and pests, especially strawberries.
- There is no need for frequent chemical treatment. Strawberries absorb less harmful substances and are 100% safe for consumption even by small children.
- The vertical bed is made mobile. In the event of late frosts or large hail, the planting can be easily saved by moving the entire structure under any shelter.
- Economical use of personal plot - an important feature of vertical beds. The structure occupies a narrow strip in the yard, but plants grow on it, just like in a regular bed with an area of 4–5 m2.
Small sections are prepared for strawberries and other perennial plants so that they can be easily brought into the barn for the winter.
If we talk about the disadvantages, the lack of direct contact with the ground ends in the rapid depletion of the soil inside the container. To achieve good results, plants need to be fed more often. The same thing happens with watering.
Choosing a place
The location is determined based on the characteristics of the plants growing on it. Let's say strawberries love warmth, light and good watering. It is better to place containers with strawberries on the south side so that the shadow of the trees does not block the light. In strong sun, strawberry plantings are shaded with a canopy made of fiberboard or polycarbonate.
If ornamental plants grow on a vertical structure, it can be installed on the western, eastern and even northern sides. It all depends on where it is more comfortable for plants to grow.
Soil composition for filling containers
Vertical beds are best filled with purchased soil. It contains all the microelements necessary for plants. If you decide to take soil from the garden, then first mix it with organic matter in approximately a 2:1 ratio. It is important to note that for strawberries it is not advisable to collect soil from an area where strawberries, roses or blackberries previously grew. The soil mixture is prepared two weeks before it is poured into containers.
You can see it on video here DIY vertical beds for strawberries:
Manufacturing options
To make vertical beds at home, you can use any suitable material, the main thing is to create containers that can hold soil.
Use of wooden pallets
Wooden pallets used for storing products provide a ready-made solution for a vertical bed. In the photo you can see what a flower garden looks like built on such a structure. However, when choosing a pallet, it is important to pay attention to its markings. To disinfect wood and extend its service life, pallets are subjected to temperature and chemical treatment at the factory. For flowers and other ornamental plants, a tray with any marking is suitable. If it is expected growing strawberries or other crops that produce a harvest, then only pallets that have undergone heat treatment are suitable.
Let's look at how to make a vertical bed from a wooden pallet:
- A pallet with intact boards without rot, large cracks, or protruding nails is suitable for a garden bed.The pallet is cleaned of burrs and dirt, and then painted.
- The back side of the pallet is covered with thick fabric. You can use a stapler to shoot geotextiles. The fabric will prevent soil from falling out from the back of the pallet.
- After filling the entire space with soil, starting from the bottom row, the prepared plants are planted. The soil is watered abundantly, and the tray itself is left to lie on the ground for about a month. During this time, the root system of the plants will strengthen and compact the soil.
- After a month, the pallet is hung vertically on the wall or simply placed on the ground, leaning against any support.
As decoration, pockets made of thick canvas or flower pots are nailed onto pallets, where plants are planted. In this case, soil consumption is reduced, since there is no need to fill the volumetric cavity of the pallet.
Use of car tires
A fairly simple example of making a vertical bed is represented by a structure made from old car tires. For aesthetics, it is advisable to take tires of different diameters and build a pyramid out of them. Usually five tires are enough, but more are possible. There are no restrictions, the main thing is that it is convenient to care for.
In place of the tread of each tire, holes for plants are cut in a circle. Having laid the first wheel, soil is immediately poured inside. The process continues until all the tires are laid out. Now all that remains is to plant strawberries or flowers in the side holes of the pyramid.
Bed wall made of plastic boxes
Plastic bottle boxes are ideal for arranging vertical beds.You can even build a large wall from plastic containers, acting as an independent fence for the site. Prepared soil is poured inside the containers and placed on their side. The construction of the wall is carried out using cinder blocks. To prevent the soil from spilling out, the tops of the boxes are covered with geotextiles. The bottom of the containers already has ready-made holes, so you can immediately start planting. A yard design made from plastic boxes will allow you to divide your summer cottage into recreation and gardening areas.
Using flower pots
Flower pots can make a good decorative bed. It can be placed on the terrace or even inside the house. Ceramic or plastic containers are suitable, most importantly, of different diameters.
Typically, a vertical bed of flower pots is arranged in two ways:
- The easiest way is to take several containers of different diameters and fill them with soil. Next, a pyramid is built from the pots by placing a smaller container on top of a larger one. Moreover, the pots must be installed offset from the center. As a result, on the back side of the bed you will get a smooth wall of containers, and on the front side you will get stepped ledges. It is in the soil of these steps that you need to plant flowers.
- The second method of making a vertical bed involves welding a metal frame with clamps for flower pots. The design can be rectangular or simply limited to one pole. You can give it any shape. After fixing the flower pots to the clamps, soil is poured into the container and the plants are planted.
In the second method of making beds, it is allowed to use flower pots of the same diameter.
Construction mesh structure
In the garden, a vertical bed can be made from construction mesh. In addition to vegetables and herbs, you can even grow potatoes in such pyramids. To make a bed, a metal mesh is rolled into a pipe with a diameter of about 900 mm. Large straw is laid out inside the pyramid along the outer edge, and soil is poured inside. Every 100 mm of soil, seeds are sown or tubers are placed, after which they are watered abundantly.
Growing plants in a bag
For a vertical bed, any bag will do, but preferably not one made of artificial fiber, as it will quickly disappear in the sun. Fertile soil is poured inside the bag and hung on a strong support or installed against the wall of the building. Holes are cut on the sides where plants are planted.
A bed made from a wooden or plastic barrel
The essence of growing plants is no different from a bag. You can only cut holes in the barrel using an electric drill with a crown attachment.
PVC sewer pipe bed
A vertical bed made of plastic is in production pipes very simple. Most often it is used for growing strawberries. In sewer pipes with a diameter of 100–110 mm, round holes are cut on the sides. Every pipe vertically They are buried in the ground, and fertile soil is poured inside. Now all that remains is to plant strawberry seedlings in each hole and wait for the harvest. In winter, a vertical bed made of strawberry pipes is insulated, otherwise the plants will freeze.
Using Building Blocks
Hollow building blocks can serve as flower pots for plants. A wall with projections for plantings is built from the blocks. For beauty, each block can be decorated with paints.
Vertical bed made of PET bottles
To make a vertical bed from plastic bottles, you will need to weld a frame. In principle, the method is similar to the second option with flower pots. Cut bottles with growing plants are secured to the metal frame, neck down. The containers can also be secured horizontally by cutting out the side wall. You will get some kind of trays.
Conclusion
As you can see, a vertical bed can be made from any available means, you just need to make an effort and show a little imagination.
