Vertical flower beds are a great solution when there is not enough space in the garden. The creation of such flower beds does not require a lot of expenses, since any materials and old things are used: hoses, mesh, polyethylene, car tires, bags, buckets, basins with holes. In this way, you can grow any greens, flowers, ornamental vegetables, berries.
Benefits
The most important advantage that vertical flower beds have is their compactness. You can create such a bed even on the balcony.
In addition, caring for such flower beds is not difficult. Since the plants are at some distance from the ground, it is very convenient to weed or collect them, and there is no need to bend over low.
Another advantage is that berries or flowers growing at height are inaccessible to small pests and rodents. And since the flowerbed has the shape of a pyramid or a cylinder, it is difficult for birds to land on it.
Vertical flowerbed, do it yourselfcreated, looks very original and attractive and is a decoration of a garden plot or a balcony.
Flaws
Plants in a vertical bed need to be watered more often than the same varieties that grow in open ground. To avoid the death of plants, you can use one of the methods:
- When preparing the soil, a hydrogel is added to it, which accumulates and retains moisture. Thus, the plant will not dry out, taking the necessary amount of moisture.
- You can equip drip irrigation. This method will require more financial investment, but it is more efficient.
- Due to the small size of the vertical bed containers, this growing method is only suitable for low-growing plants.
- When planting perennials, you need to remember that in winter you will have to warm the containers so that the root system does not die from freezing.
How to arrange a vertical garden bed?
If you decide to use vertical flower beds to decorate the site, use some tips:
- Large size structure must be assembled in a permanent place, as it will be inconvenient to transport later.
- Place the vertical flower beds where you are going to grow greens closer to the kitchen. Berry beds need sunlight.
- Before filling containers, prepare the soil. For example, strawberries require a mixture that includes peat, sandy loam soil, hydrogel and fertilizers.
- Since the plantsfrequent watering is necessary, it is advisable to place the bed near a water source.
- It is necessary to think over the winter protection of the beds.
Flowers for vertical flower beds can be very diverse. The usual flowers look equally good on such a bed: pelargonium, violet, forget-me-not, marigolds, and ampelous ones - nasturtium, bluebells, loosestrife, begonia, etc.
It is not advisable to plant perennials, as they are difficult to maintain in winter.
Plastic bottle flower bed
This budget and affordable way to create a vertical bed is the most popular. How to make a vertical flower bed from plastic bottles? There are two ways.
Option 1The height of this design can be adjusted. To equip it, you need to take plastic bottles (volume from 2 liters), peel off labels and cut horizontally into two parts. The lid is not completely screwed on - so that excess moisture flows down. The upper part is filled with soil, and plants are planted in it. The container is installed in the cut off bottom part. Then you need to prepare a strong frame, on which you can attach a container with a plant with a wire. The bottle can be repainted in any color or patterned on it.
Option 2
As in the previous version, you need to take the bottles cleaned from the labels, on which to make a small rectangular hole on the side. Holes must be made in the bottom for drainage. The neck and bottom of the bottle are pierced with an awl, a rope is threaded through the holes obtained. From the bottom on the rope you need to dotrusted site.
The finished structure is attached to the wall. Each container is filled with soil, in which the plant is planted.
PVC pipe flower bed
Thus, vertical flower beds for strawberries and strawberries are created. To make a bed, you need to take two PVC pipes (the diameter of the first is from 150 millimeters, the second - from 100 millimeters).
The second pipe should be 10-15 cm longer than the first. It will be used for watering plants, for which holes must be drilled in its upper part. To prevent the pipe from becoming clogged, it is wrapped around using non-woven material or burlap, and tightly wound with a rope. Close with tape from below.
Holes with a diameter of 15 cm are drilled in the main pipe, the distance between them should be 20-25 cm. A plug is put on from below. The structure is fixed vertically to a wall or fence. A pipe of a smaller diameter is placed inside, gravel or expanded clay is poured into the resulting gap by 10-15 cm, then earth. So that there are no layers of air, the earth is gradually watered. After that, strawberry bushes are planted in the pipe holes, which are then regularly watered through a pipe of a smaller diameter. Fertilizers are applied in the same way.
Flower of pots
Suitable for growing undersized flowers. To create such a flower bed, flower pots are used. Ceramic heavy containers are installed in turn - first large, then small andlungs. The whole structure will be heavy, so there is no need to install a frame.
When using light plastic pots, the metal base is first fixed, then the planters are put on it.
In order for the plants to have enough space, the pots are staggered.
Plastic bag bed
From a strong film, at least 0.2 mm thick, cut out two rectangles, leaving allowances of 1.5-2 cm on each side. The rectangles must be sewn together and sewn on top of a strong handle that can support the weight of the bag of earth. The resulting container is filled with soil. Then you need to make cuts (at a distance of 20 cm from each other) and plant seedlings in them.
Drainpipe flowerbed
On both sides of the downpipes, plugs must be put on, after which metal holders must be put on. Holes are made near the holders through which a strong cable is threaded, from below it must be fixed with fasteners. The bed is filled with expanded clay and soil and plants are planted.
A patch of car tires
This method of growing is not suitable for berries and herbs, as tires have low environmental friendliness. But in such a flower bed you can grow flowers.
Since the tires have a metal cord in the rim, there is no need to equip the carcass. First you need to use a chisel to make holes for flowers. The tire is laid on a block, holes are made from the inside in several places with a wide chisel. Then the tiremust be installed in a permanent place and covered with soil.
The rest of the tires are prepared in the same way and folded in the form of a pyramid to the desired height, so that it is convenient to water. Then seedlings are planted and watered.
You can not make holes, but simply put the tires in a pyramid - from large to small. On top you can place a pot. The soil is poured in stages into each of the installed tires.
Beds from old pallets
This way you can plant a terrace or patio. First, a wooden pallet is treated with a protective compound or painted with varnish based on drying oil. A mesh is nailed to the back and the cells are covered with straw so that the soil does not spill out. The resulting container is filled with earth and plants are planted.
Vertical flower bed of petunias
This flower bed is suitable for decorating a summer house or a porch. It is necessary to make a mesh of wire and roll it into a cylinder. This design is placed in a flower pot, wrapped with strong cellophane on top.
Soil for plants is poured into the mold and flower pot. Then it is necessary to make holes in the cellophane with a knife, into which the plants are planted as close to each other as possible.
The DIY vertical flower bed is an original way of growing plants that produces an unforgettable effect and demonstrates the gardener's creativity.
