Maintaining a Vertical Garden: Tips and Tricks
Vertical gardens offer a sustainable and space-efficient way to grow plants. However, maintaining them requires a bit of effort to ensure they thrive throughout the year. In this article, we delve into my personal approach to maintaining a vertical garden, which includes fences, mulch, and consistent planting methods.
Securing Your Vertical Garden: Fencing and Protection
One of the first considerations in maintaining a vertical garden is securing it to withstand the elements and potential pests. In my garden, I have a series of 9-foot-high fences and some interior ones. These fences are primarily to keep deer and other small animals like rabbits, woodchucks, and similar creatures at bay.
The 9-foot fence is designed not only to act as a physical barrier but also to provide an aesthetic appeal to the garden. To further protect the lower sections, I incorporate a four-foot-wide chicken wire barrier. This barrier is strategically placed at the base of the walls and extends outward by about 6 to 12 inches to discourage digging. To maintain the integrity of the barrier, a light weight or stake is placed on the extending section to prevent it from being pulled out by determined critters.
Permanent Mulch and Beds
For year-round maintenance, I use permanent mulch and beds. This practice not only helps retain moisture but also suppresses weed growth, which can otherwise compete with the plants for resources. The beds are designed to be easily accessible, allowing me to tend to the plants without disturbing the underlying structure.
The permanent paths surrounding the garden are crucial for easy access and to avoid soil compaction. These paths also provide a designated walking area, ensuring that the plants and soil beneath are not inadvertently trampled.
Consistent Planting: Rotating Crops or Not?
When it comes to crop rotation, I follow a unique strategy that has served my garden well. Instead of rotating crops, I plant the exact same species of beans on the same side of the fence in the same furrow every year. While there is no scientific proof to support this method, I have observed that certain bacterial species increase in number over time and better meet the needs of the specific plant species.
Letrsquo;s take a closer look at my observations for runner beans. In the first year, the runner beans tend to grow to around 6 feet tall on new soil. By the second year, the plants reach the top of the fence with a slightly deeper green color and are more productive. By the third year, the runner beans not only reach the top but also curl around in a big ball of vines, trying to reach higher yet. The green color is even deeper, and the productivity has increased even further.
From the third year onwards, the runner beans maintain this level of productivity, and do not experience any disease issues. This consistent performance year after year is a significant benefit that I have seen in my vertical garden.
Conclusion
By ensuring the security of your vertical garden through proper fencing and protection measures, using permanent mulch and beds, and maintaining a consistent planting method, you can enjoy a productive and healthy garden year after year. My approach has proven to be effective, and I hope these tips will help you achieve the same results in your own vertical garden.