Vertical flower beds are a wonderful solution when there is not enough space in the garden. Creating 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, pots with holes. In this way, you can grow any greens, flowers, decorative 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, the care of such flower beds is not difficult. Since the plants are located at a certain distance from the ground, it is very convenient to weed or collect them, and there is no need to bend low.
Another advantage is that berries or flowers growing at a height are inaccessible to small pests and rodents. And since the flowerbed is in the form of a pyramid or cylinder, it is difficult for birds to land on it.
A vertical flowerbed, created with your own hands , looks very original and attractive and is an decoration of a garden plot or balcony.
disadvantages
Plants on 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 introduced into it, which accumulates and retains moisture. Thus, the plant will not dry out, taking the necessary amount of moisture.
- You can arrange drip irrigation. This method will require more financial investments, but it is more effective.
- Since the containers for vertical beds are small, this method of growing is suitable only for low-growing plants.
- When planting perennial plants, it is necessary to remember that in winter containers will have to be insulated so that the root system does not die from freezing.
How to equip a vertical bed?
If you decide to use vertical flower beds to decorate the site, use some tips:
- The large-sized structure must be assembled in a permanent place, since it will then be inconvenient to transport it.
- Place the vertical flower beds on which you plan to grow greens closer to the kitchen. Berry beds need sunlight.
- Before filling the containers, prepare the soil. For example, strawberries need a mixture that includes peat, sandy loam soil, hydrogel and fertilizers.
- Since plants need frequent watering, it is advisable to place the garden near a water source.
- It is necessary to think over winter protection of a bed previously.
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, bells, loosestrife, begonia, etc.
It is undesirable to plant perennial plants, since they are difficult to preserve in winter.
Flowerbed of plastic bottles
This budget and affordable way to create a vertical bed is the most popular. How to make a vertical bed of plastic bottles? There are two ways.
Option 1
The height of this design can be adjusted. To equip it, you need to take plastic bottles (volume from 2 l), peel the labels and cut horizontally into two parts. The lid is not completely screwed in - so that excess moisture flows down. The upper part is filled with soil, and plants are planted in it. The capacity is installed in the cut bottom. Then it is necessary to prepare a strong frame on which to attach the container with the plant using wire. The bottle can be repainted in any color or draw patterns on it.
Option 2
As in the previous version, you need to take bottles cleaned from labels, on which a small rectangular hole is made on the side. In the bottom you need to make holes for drainage. The neck and bottom of the bottle are pierced with an awl, a rope is threaded through the holes obtained. From below on a rope you need to make a reliable knot.
The finished structure is attached to the wall. Each tank is filled with soil into which the plant is planted.
PVC flower bed
In this way, vertical flowerbeds are created for strawberries and strawberries. To make a garden bed, you need to take two pipes of polyvinyl chloride (the diameter of the first 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. So that the pipe does not become clogged, it is wrapped using non-woven material or burlap and tightly rewound with a rope. The bottom is covered with tape.
Holes with a diameter of 15 cm are drilled in the main pipe, the distance between them should be 20-25 cm. A cap is put on from below. The structure is mounted 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 the ground. So that there are no layers of air, the land is gradually watered. After that, strawberry bushes are planted in the holes of the pipe, which are then regularly watered through a pipe of a smaller diameter. Fertilizer is applied in the same way.
Flowerbed
Suitable for growing undersized flowers. To create such a flower bed use flower pots. Ceramic heavy containers are installed alternately - first large, then small and light. The whole structure will have a lot of weight, so there is no need to install the frame.
When using light plastic pots, the metal base is first fixed, then the cache-pot is put on it.
In order for the plants to have enough space, the pots are staggered.
Bed from a plastic bag
Two rectangles are cut out from a strong film with a thickness of at least 0.2 mm, leaving 1.5-2 cm allowances on each side. Rectangles need to be sewn together and sewed on top of a strong handle that can support the weight of the bag with the ground. The resulting tank is filled with soil. Then you need to make cuts (at a distance of 20 cm from each other) and plant seedlings in them.
Flowerpot
Plugs must be put on both sides of the drainpipes , 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.
Bed of tires
This method of growing is not suitable for berries and herbs, as tires have low environmental friendliness. But in such a flowerbed you can grow flowers.
Since the tires have a metal cord in the rim, there is no need to equip the frame. First you need to make holes for the flowers with a chisel. The tire is stacked on the block, with a wide chisel, holes are made from the inside in several places. Then the tire must be installed in a permanent place and covered with soil.
The remaining tires are also prepared and folded in the form of a pyramid to the desired height, so that it is convenient to water. Then planted seedlings and watered.
You can not make holes, but simply expose the tires with a pyramid - from large to smaller. You can place a cache-pot on top. The soil is poured in stages into each of the installed tires.
Beds from old pallets
In this way, you can green the terrace or patio. First, the wooden pallet is treated with a protective compound or painted with paint based on drying oil.
The net is nailed to the back side 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 flowerbed of petunias
Such a bed is suitable for decorating a summer house or porch. It is necessary to make a wire mesh and roll it in the form of a cylinder. This design is placed in a flower pot, wrapped on top with durable cellophane.
Soil for plants is poured into the mold and flower pot. Then, in the cellophane with a knife, it is necessary to make holes in which the plants are planted as close to each other as possible.
A self-made vertical flowerbed is an original way of growing plants that produces an unforgettable effect and clearly shows the creative abilities of a gardener.