How to Use Vertical Gardening to Garden Vegetables in Compact Spaces

Planting vegetable gardens in compact spaces can be a daunting task to many people who would like to have their own product. Using vertical gardening can be a simple, easy way to plant several types of vegetables in small areas without worrying about space. The price of fresh vegetables continues to rise to the point that it can be prohibitive for many families so doing your own gardening can be a thrifty way to live as well as a healthy way as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vegetable plants
• Net trellis
• Scrap wood
• Digging tools
• Fertilizer
• Organic Insect Repellent
• Miracle Grow

1. 
   Tomatoes and cucumbers growing together using vertical gardening

   Measure the area you have for gardening then plan your vegetable garden out on paper then take a string and mark it out on the ground. This will let you know how many plants you can get into the space you have. I planned and planted my tomato plants about 8 to 12 inches apart. I allowed about 12 to 18 inches between the rows. I also planned for tomato and cucumber plants in adjacent rows so I could use the same trellis for both plants as you can see in the image. By using vertical gardening I was able to plant twice the amount of vegetables I could have in the same space! You can get a large amount of vegetable plants in even a 6 or 8 foot space of ground for a garden. Vertical planting really increases the amount of vegetables you can plant and eventually harvest.

2. 
   Tomato plants growing using my vegetable gardening practices on the trellis

   Once you have your garden planned and your soil prepared it is time to plant your vegetable garden. Once your plants have grown up to about 6 to 8 inches in height it is time to place your trellis. I used a net trellis which is very inexpensive. We ripped down scrap wood and dug down and placed the wood posts around every 2 feet in the garden. We dug down around 6 to 8 inches and buried the wood posts every two feet then attached the netting to the posts. As you can see vertical gardening has allowed me to grow quite a few tomato and cucumber plants in the same area.

3. 
   Many plants can be grown in small or compact spaces using vertical gardening

   As your plants grow it is important to train them to the trellis. Every week or so check your plants for growth and tie them up or twine them in the trellis if needed. The cucumber plants have small tendrils that will attach to the netting if you get them trained or close to the trellis. Tomato plants do not so they have to be intertwined and tied to the netting. Use soft twine or yarn to tie the tomato plants in the garden. Vertical planting is not hard once you change your gardening strategy and your habits a wee bit!

Tips & Warnings

• I purchased my net trellis on Ebay.
• Feed plants more often than usual since their close companion relationship to others.
• Check plants often to make sure they are not encroaching on others. This is important with cucumbers. Easy to take care of with close watching.
• Vegetable gardening is a labor of love but gives back much to those who treat it kindly!
• Watch plants for first sign of insect infestation or disease and treat immediately.
• Treat plants gently. Plants can be fragile and need to be handled gently when being tied to the trellis or tied up or manipulated.

[esperd]

on 6/20/2009 thanks