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Carpentry Pro Framer

Vertical Garden Planter Construction

—

by

Taylor Balthazar
in

Materials and Tools Preparation

Gather the essentials:

  • Wooden pallet
  • Landscaping fabric
  • Soil
  • Plants
  • Scissors
  • Utility knife
  • Staple gun with staples

A staple gun is crucial for this project, while scissors and utility knife are for precise cuts.

Consider water access before you begin. You might need a long garden hose or a watering can. Set aside an afternoon for the initial setup. Once you've gathered everything, you're ready to transform that empty space into a vertical garden.

A wooden pallet surrounded by gardening supplies including landscaping fabric, soil, plants, scissors, utility knife, and a staple gun

Pallet Assembly and Fabrication

  1. Sand down the pallet edges to prevent splinters.
  2. Line the front with landscaping fabric. This fabric is crucial for keeping soil in place.
  3. Use your staple gun to secure the fabric to the pallet. Keep it snug, but not too tight.
  4. Aim for a balance where the fabric fits just tight enough to hold soil securely, without sagging.

The corners might be tricky as you fold and tuck, but don't worry. Staple confidently; you're creating a foundation for your vertical garden. Place each staple precisely to ensure a secure fit.

A carpenter's hands stapling landscaping fabric to a wooden pallet, with sanded edges visible

Planting and Maintenance

With your pallet ready and upright:

  1. Make careful slits in the fabric using your utility knife. These should be just big enough for the root ball of your plants.
  2. Plant from the bottom up, gently pressing each plant into place.
  3. Ensure they're snug against the fabric and the soil embraces the base of each plant firmly.

Watering tips:

  • Water your vertical garden daily, especially in sunny weather.
  • Start at the top and let gravity help as water flows down.
  • Consider a drip irrigation system for easier maintenance.

Regularly check your green wall. Look for signs of thirsty plants or soil trying to escape. Top up the soil when you notice the levels decreasing.

A person carefully planting small plants into slits in the fabric of a vertical pallet garden

With the right tools and some patience, you're building a sustainable vertical garden that will flourish with care and attention.

  1. Baron A. Vertical Gardens: Benefits and Best Practices. Urban Horticulture Journal. 2022;15(3):45-52.
  2. Haiman T. Small Space Gardening Solutions. Landscape Design Quarterly. 2021;28(2):112-118.
  3. Runkle N. Vertical Vegetable Gardening Techniques. Sustainable Agriculture Review. 2023;9(1):78-85.