How to Make a Vertical Garden Using Items You Already Have

by

If you’re working with limited space or want to maximize your planting area without spending money, a vertical garden is the perfect solution. Instead of spreading plants out horizontally, you grow them upward using walls, shelves, hanging structures, or stacked containers — and the best part? You can create one entirely from items you already have at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a functional, stylish vertical garden using everyday materials, while saving money and giving a second life to old objects.

What Is a Vertical Garden?

A vertical garden is any gardening system that allows you to grow plants upward, rather than across a flat surface. It’s ideal for:

  • Small balconies or patios
  • Apartment dwellers
  • People wanting to grow more in less space
  • Creative DIY lovers

Vertical gardening isn’t just practical — it’s also visually appealing, transforming dull walls into lush green displays.

Benefits of a DIY Vertical Garden

  • Saves space: Perfect for small areas like balconies, porches, or kitchens.
  • Low-cost: Uses recycled materials you already have.
  • Customizable: Fits your space, style, and needs.
  • Better airflow: Helps reduce mold and rot by lifting plants off the ground.
  • Easy maintenance: Makes watering and harvesting simpler.

Step 1: Gather What You Already Have

Look around your home, garage, or recycling bin. You might already own the perfect materials to build a vertical structure. Useful items include:

  • Wooden pallets
  • Plastic bottles
  • Hanging shoe organizers
  • Tin cans
  • Wire racks or shelves
  • Old ladders or bookshelves
  • Crates or drawers
  • Fabric bags or sacks
  • Rope, string, or twine

You don’t need to buy anything — just repurpose and get creative.

Step 2: Choose the Right Location

Your vertical garden needs the right amount of light and protection. Here’s how to choose the best spot:

  • Sunlight: South-facing walls get more sun; north-facing spots are more shaded.
  • Protection: Avoid spots with heavy wind or rain.
  • Weight capacity: Make sure your structure or railing can support the weight of containers with soil and water.

You can install your garden on walls, balconies, fences, windowsills, or even hang it from ceilings.

Step 3: Select Your Structure Style

Depending on your available space and materials, here are a few vertical garden styles you can create:

a) Hanging Bottle Garden

  • Use plastic bottles cut open on the side.
  • Poke drainage holes at the bottom.
  • Tie string around the bottle and hang it on a wall or fence.

b) Shoe Organizer Garden

  • Fill the fabric pockets with soil.
  • Plant herbs, flowers, or leafy greens in each one.
  • Hang it on a hook or rail.

c) Pallet Garden

  • Stand a wooden pallet vertically.
  • Attach landscape fabric to create planting pockets.
  • Fill with soil and insert small plants or herbs.

d) Shelf or Ladder Garden

  • Repurpose an old shelf or step ladder.
  • Arrange pots on each level.
  • Add a coat of paint for style if desired.

e) Tin Can Wall Garden

  • Clean and paint empty cans.
  • Nail or screw them into a board or directly onto a wall.
  • Fill with soil and grow flowers or herbs.

Step 4: Choose Plants That Thrive Vertically

Some plants are more suitable for vertical gardening than others. Go for compact, lightweight, and fast-growing options such as:

  • Herbs: Basil, thyme, parsley, mint, oregano
  • Leafy greens: Lettuce, spinach, arugula
  • Flowers: Marigolds, petunias, nasturtiums
  • Vines: Peas, beans, cucumbers (use string or wire to guide growth)
  • Strawberries: Work great in pockets or stacked containers

Avoid heavy or deep-rooted plants unless your structure is strong and stable.

Step 5: Prepare Your Planters

No matter what container you use, ensure the basics:

  • Drainage holes: Prevent water from sitting at the bottom.
  • Stable mounting: Use strong hooks, nails, or screws to avoid accidents.
  • Good potting mix: Use a light, well-draining soil. Add compost if available.

Tip: Add a thin layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom of each container for extra drainage.

Step 6: Arrange Your Plants Smartly

When placing your plants, use this logic:

  • Top tiers: Plants that need more sun and less water (e.g., rosemary, basil)
  • Middle tiers: Lettuce, spinach, flowers
  • Bottom tiers: Shade-tolerant or moisture-loving plants (e.g., mint, ferns)

This layering ensures each plant receives its optimal environment.

Step 7: Watering Your Vertical Garden

Water management is key. Vertical setups dry out faster than ground-level gardens. Here’s how to make watering easier and more efficient:

  • Use a spray bottle or small watering can for precision.
  • Water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
  • Collect and reuse water from your kitchen (as long as it’s clean).
  • Install a DIY drip system using a plastic bottle with small holes.

Check soil moisture regularly — top tiers dry out faster than bottom ones.

Step 8: Maintain and Enjoy

To keep your vertical garden healthy and productive:

  • Trim and harvest regularly to encourage growth.
  • Remove yellowing leaves or spent blooms.
  • Rotate plant positions if needed for sunlight balance.
  • Replenish soil or compost every few months.

Take time to observe how your plants grow — adjust spacing or positioning if needed.

Final Thoughts: Vertical Gardening Is for Everyone

You don’t need a big yard, a big budget, or fancy equipment to start gardening. A vertical garden made from recycled and household materials is a powerful example of how you can grow more with less.

With minimal tools and a bit of imagination, you can turn walls, fences, or balconies into a lush, productive, and inspiring green space.

Leave a Comment