If you’re a UK gardener with a small back garden, balcony, or patio, you’ve probably faced the same dilemma as many of us—how on earth do you fit all the plants, flowers, and veggies you dream of growing into such a tiny space? Vertical gardening really can be a game changer. I’ve been there myself! You walk through the garden centre, spot a beautiful tomato plant, and think, “But where on earth am I going to put this?” Or maybe you’ve come across those pictures of lush, vertical green walls in magazines or on Instagram and thought, “That’s for big gardens, not my little patch of space.”
But here’s the good news: Vertical gardening isn’t just some passing trend—it’s genuinely practical and effective. Best of all, it’s completely achievable, even if you’re working with a small balcony or a tiny backyard in the middle of a typical rainy UK summer. Trust me, you can create a stunning, vibrant garden, no matter the size of your space.
How My University Days Sparked My Love for Vertical Gardening
Let me take you back a few years to my university days. Back then, a group of us all rented these tiny flats with barely enough space to swing a cat, let alone plant a garden. But one of our friends—let’s call them Emily and Jack—lived in this flat with a cramped little balcony. Seriously, you could barely fit a small table out there. Yet somehow, they managed to turn that tiny space into this amazing vertical garden that looked like a slice of paradise.
I remember going round one afternoon and being blown away by how they had plants growing everywhere—tomatoes climbing up the wall, herbs hanging from baskets, even strawberries spilling over the edges of the railings. It was beautiful, and honestly, it was what got me hooked on the idea of vertical gardening. And the best part? They did it all on a student budget, using nothing but a few old wooden pallets, recycled pots, and a bit of creative DIY. If they could do it, anyone can!
So, here’s everything I’ve learned since those days about vertical gardening—from building a structure to picking the right plants, and most importantly, how to keep it all alive and thriving.
Why Vertical Gardening is Perfect for Small Spaces
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of how to get started, let’s talk about why vertical gardening is so brilliant for small spaces. Whether you’re working with a tiny patio, a narrow balcony, or even just a bare wall in your backyard, vertical gardening lets you grow more plants without needing extra ground space.
1. It Maximizes Your Space
This is the big one. The whole point of vertical gardening is that you’re growing upwards instead of outwards, making use of your walls, fences, or any vertical surface you’ve got. If you’ve ever stared at a garden centre full of plants, wishing you had more room, vertical gardening gives you that extra space. You can pack in more flowers, veggies, or herbs without cramming them into the ground or sacrificing your lawn (if you even have one).
2. It’s Easier to Care For
One of the biggest benefits of vertical gardening is that it brings your plants up to eye level, which makes tending to them so much easier. I’ve got a bad back, so constantly bending over to water, prune, or check for pests wasn’t really an option for me. Vertical gardening solved that problem—everything’s within arm’s reach, which is perfect if you’ve got mobility issues, or just don’t fancy breaking your back every time you want to harvest a tomato.
3. Helps Keep Pests Away
This one might not be immediately obvious, but vertical gardens can actually help reduce pest problems. By getting your plants off the ground, you’re making it harder for those pesky slugs and snails to reach them. And better airflow around the plants can help prevent fungal diseases like mildew, which is especially helpful in our lovely damp UK climate.
4. It Looks Gorgeous
Let’s not forget the aesthetics! Vertical gardening isn’t just practical—it’s beautiful. Imagine walls covered in greenery, bursts of colour from climbing flowers, or lush vines cascading down a trellis. Vertical gardens can transform dull walls or fences into living art, and you’ll have your own personal green oasis to escape to.
5. You Can Grow More Food
If you’re keen on growing your own food, vertical gardening can actually increase your yield in a small space. When you grow upwards, you can fit more plants into the same square footage, so you’re making the most of your soil. It’s perfect for small urban gardens where space is limited, but you still want a good harvest of fresh veg.
Step 1: Planning Your Vertical Garden
Right, before you start hammering up planters and trellises, let’s take a step back and do a bit of planning. Trust me, this will save you time (and stress) in the long run. We learnt this the hard way during our uni days when Emily and Jack first started—everything ended up in the wrong place because we didn’t plan properly. So don’t make that mistake!
Assess Your Space
The first thing you’ll need to do is assess your space. What vertical surfaces do you have to work with? This could be anything—a wall, a fence, a trellis, even the side of a shed. Then think about how much light your space gets. This is crucial because different plants need different amounts of sunlight.
- South-facing walls: These get the most sun, so they’re perfect for sun-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
- East- or west-facing walls: These get moderate sunlight, which is ideal for plants like herbs, some flowers, and leafy greens.
- North-facing walls: These get the least sunlight, so they’re best for shade-tolerant plants like hostas, ferns, and ivy.
Take note of how much sun each wall or fence gets throughout the day, and plan your plant choices accordingly.
Choose Your Vertical Gardening Structure
Now that you’ve got a sense of your space, it’s time to choose your vertical gardening structure. There are loads of options out there, from simple DIY solutions to more elaborate setups. And believe me, you don’t need to break the bank to create something beautiful—remember how Emily and Jack’s balcony garden was held together with pallets and leftover pots?
Here are a few popular vertical gardening structures to consider:
- Trellises: Trellises are fantastic for climbing plants like beans, peas, cucumbers, or flowering vines like clematis. They can be made from wood, metal, or even plastic and are super easy to install.
- Hanging Planters: These are great for flowers, herbs, or trailing plants like strawberries. You can hang them from walls, fences, or even the ceiling of a covered patio or balcony.
- Pallet Planters: Ah, the humble pallet! Emily and Jack swore by these because they’re cheap, easy to come by, and perfect for creating a rustic vertical garden. Just lean a pallet against a wall, fill the gaps with soil, and start planting.
- Wall Planters: These are ready-made pockets or containers that you can mount directly onto a wall or fence. They’re great for herbs or smaller plants, and they make it super easy to create a green wall without much effort.
- Green Walls/Living Walls: If you want to go all out, you could invest in a green wall system. These are typically more expensive, but they look absolutely stunning and allow you to pack in loads of plants.
Step 2: Building Your Vertical Garden Structure
Once you’ve picked your structure, it’s time to get building! Whether you’re up for a bit of DIY or prefer something more ready-made, here’s how you can put together some of the most popular vertical gardening setups.
1. DIY Pallet Planter
The pallet planter is a classic and one of the easiest and most affordable ways to create a vertical garden. It’s what Emily and Jack used on their tiny balcony, and I’ve used it myself in my garden more than once. Here’s how you can make your own:
Materials Needed:
- One wooden pallet (make sure it’s in good condition and hasn’t been treated with any harmful chemicals)
- Sandpaper
- Landscape fabric or weed barrier
- Staple gun
- Potting soil
- Plants (herbs, flowers, or succulents work really well)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pallet: Start by giving the pallet a good sand down to smooth out any rough edges. This will help prevent splinters when you’re handling it (I learned this the hard way!).
- Line the Pallet: Next, use landscape fabric or weed barrier to line the back and sides of the pallet. This will create little pockets to hold the soil. Staple the fabric securely in place.
- Fill with Soil: Stand the pallet upright and start filling the gaps between the slats with potting soil. Make sure the soil is packed in firmly, but leave a bit of room at the top of each pocket for planting.
- Plant Away: Once your pallet is filled with soil, start planting! Herbs, flowers, or succulents work really well in a pallet garden. Give them a good watering once they’re in, and watch your vertical garden come to life.
2. DIY Trellis for Climbing Plants
If you’re growing plants like beans, peas, or cucumbers, a trellis is an absolute must. Here’s how you can build a simple one yourself:
Materials Needed:
- Wooden stakes or metal poles
- Twine or wire
- Hammer or mallet
- Climbing plants (e.g., sweet peas, beans, or clematis)
Instructions:
- Position the Stakes: Start by placing your wooden stakes or metal poles in the ground at equal intervals. Make sure they’re spaced around a metre apart and that they’re firmly anchored in the soil.
- Attach the Twine: Beginning at the bottom, tie twine or wire between the stakes to create horizontal lines for the plants to climb. Space these lines around 20-30 cm apart.
- Plant Your Climbers: Plant your climbing plants at the base of the stakes. As they grow, gently guide them towards the twine or wire to encourage them to climb upwards.
Trellises are great because they don’t take up much room, and they make it easy to grow veggies and flowers in a small space.
Step 3: Choosing the Best Plants for Vertical Gardening
Now comes the fun part—choosing what to plant! Whether you’re looking to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers, there are plenty of options that thrive in vertical gardens. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
1. Vegetables for Vertical Gardens
Growing your own vegetables is one of the most satisfying things you can do in a garden, and vertical gardening is ideal for maximizing your yield in a small space. Here are some of the best vegetables for vertical gardens:
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are perfect for vertical gardening, especially when you use a trellis or cages to support them as they grow tall. You’ll need a sunny spot, so aim for a south-facing wall if you can.
- Cucumbers: Cucumbers love to climb, so they’re an ideal candidate for vertical gardening. Just be sure to provide them with a strong support structure like a trellis or netting.
- Peas and Beans: These classic climbers will happily scramble up a trellis or netting, making them a great choice for vertical gardens. They’re also super easy to harvest when grown vertically.
- Lettuce and Salad Greens: While they don’t climb, salad greens like lettuce, spinach, and rocket can be grown in wall planters or hanging baskets. They don’t need much space, and they grow quickly, so you can enjoy fresh salads all season long.
- Strawberries: Strawberries are perfect for vertical gardening because of their trailing habit. They can be grown in hanging baskets or wall planters, where they’ll spill over the edges and give you a cascade of sweet, juicy fruit.
2. Herbs for Vertical Gardens
Herbs are a natural choice for vertical gardens, especially if you’re short on space. They’re easy to grow, don’t take up much room, and are incredibly useful in the kitchen. Here are some of the best herbs for vertical gardening:
- Basil: Basil thrives in pots and vertical gardens. It loves the sun, so give it a sunny spot, and it’ll reward you with fragrant leaves perfect for cooking.
- Mint: Mint can be a bit of a bully in the garden, spreading like wildfire if left unchecked. Growing it vertically in a pot or hanging planter helps keep it contained.
- Thyme: This hardy herb doesn’t need much soil or water, making it perfect for vertical planters. Its trailing habit also looks beautiful cascading over the edges of containers.
- Parsley: Parsley grows well in containers and can be harvested over a long season. Just keep it in a sunny spot for the best results.
- Rosemary: Rosemary thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. It’s perfect for vertical gardening because of its upright growth habit, and it adds a lovely fragrance to your garden.
3. Flowers for Vertical Gardens
Of course, you don’t just have to grow edibles in your vertical garden—flowers work beautifully too. Here are some top picks for adding colour and beauty to your vertical space:
- Clematis: This flowering vine is a showstopper, with its large, star-shaped blooms. It loves to climb, making it ideal for trellises or arbors.
- Sweet Peas: Sweet peas are not only beautiful but also fragrant. They’ll happily scramble up a trellis and reward you with delicate, sweet-scented flowers.
- Petunias: Perfect for hanging baskets and wall planters, petunias are easy to grow and come in a variety of colours. They’ll spill over the edges of your containers, adding a burst of colour.
- Nasturtiums: These cheerful, edible flowers are great for adding a splash of colour to a vertical garden. They’re also great for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Step 4: Caring for Your Vertical Garden
Once your vertical garden is all set up and planted, the key to success is regular care and maintenance. But don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Here’s how to keep your vertical garden thriving:
Watering
Vertical gardens tend to dry out more quickly than traditional gardens, especially if you’re using containers or wall planters. This is because the soil in smaller containers can’t hold as much moisture as garden beds. During hot weather, it’s important to check your plants daily and water them as needed.
- Water at the Base: Always water at the base of the plants rather than overhead. This helps get moisture directly to the roots and reduces the risk of wet foliage, which can lead to disease.
- Drip Irrigation: If you have a larger vertical garden or simply want to make life easier, consider installing a drip irrigation system. These systems deliver water directly to the roots, saving you time and ensuring your plants get consistent moisture.
Feeding
Since vertical gardens often have limited soil, your plants will need regular feeding to stay healthy and productive. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to keep your plants in tip-top shape.
Pruning and Training
Climbing plants, in particular, will need regular pruning and training to keep them growing in the right direction. Use soft ties or garden twine to gently tie vines to trellises or stakes as they grow, and prune any excess growth to prevent your plants from getting too leggy or unruly.
- Deadheading: If you’re growing flowers like petunias or nasturtiums, regularly deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers throughout the season.
- Pinching Back Herbs: For herbs like basil or mint, pinching back the tips will promote bushier growth and prevent the plants from becoming too tall and leggy.
Step 5: Enjoying Your Vertical Garden
Once your vertical garden is in full swing, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the fruits (and flowers) of your labour. Here are a few ideas for making the most of your vertical garden:
- Harvest Regularly: If you’re growing edibles like tomatoes, cucumbers, or herbs, be sure to harvest regularly to keep the plants productive and healthy. Plus, there’s nothing better than stepping outside and picking your own fresh veg or herbs!
- Invite Wildlife: Vertical gardens can be great for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. Plant nectar-rich flowers like nasturtiums or clematis to encourage wildlife into your garden.
- Create a Green Oasis: If you have space, add a seating area next to your vertical garden so you can relax and enjoy the beauty of your plants. Even a small bench or a couple of chairs nestled next to your green wall can create a peaceful, private retreat in your garden, no matter how small.
It’s Time to Grow Up!
Vertical gardening is the perfect solution for anyone with a small backyard or balcony who wants to make the most of their limited space. With a bit of creativity, some DIY skills, and the right plants, you can transform even the tiniest outdoor space into a lush, vibrant garden that grows up instead of out.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your trowel, roll up your sleeves, and start growing your vertical garden today! Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, vertical gardening is a fun, rewarding way to maximize your gardening potential and create a beautiful outdoor space.
And hey, if Emily and Jack could do it with a tiny student balcony, trust me—you can definitely do it too! If you need further advice and inspiration, check out this guide from the RHS (we love the RHS): https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/containers/veg-on-walls
Let us know how your garden’s growing in the comments below, and share your own vertical gardening tips or successes. We’d love to hear from you!
