Choose a Material
In addition to pallets, cinder blocks or wooden crates can also be used to create a vertical vegetable garden. Cinder blocks are an excellent choice as they are typically reasonably priced and provide a larger planting surface due to the holes in them. Wooden crates provide different levels so that small plants can have their own surface. They also look great when stacked one on top of the other and make a great accent to any vertical garden display. Both materials are easy to assemble and offer additional flexibility in terms of the size, shape and design of the vertical garden that is created.
Benefits and Challenges
Benefits:
Creating a vertical vegetable garden from pallets can provide numerous benefits. Firstly, it provides an aesthetic appeal to any backyard or allotment due to its unique nature. Additionally, using pallets as planters allows many of the traditional costs associated with raised bed vegetable gardens (such as land preparation and purchasing additional soil) to be significantly reduced, while taking up minimum ground space. As well, these planters are relatively easy to construct with no specialized tools required or experience needed.
Challenges: While there are numerous advantages of utilizing a pallet for vertical gardening, there are also drawbacks that should be taken into consideration before deciding on this option. Considering the structure of the vegetable garden will solely consist from recycled wooden pallets and not any additional anchoring measures, there is a risk of the entire structure becoming unbalanced and toppling over in extreme weather conditions. The use of multiple layers also means it may be challenging for someone short in stature to access vegetables located higher up in the planter box. Furthermore, since the wood used for these planters is recycled and already exposed to harsh weather conditions prior to use, it will likely deteriorate quickly and needs regular maintenance.
Creative Accents
Adding color to the pallet vertical vegetable garden is a great way to add personality and flair. One idea is to paint the pallets in two or three colors and layer them with contrasting colors. For instance, paint the bottom layer green, then add an orange layer above that, then add a red layer on top. You could also alternate colors for each side of the pallet — one side green and one side blue, or one side light pink and one side deep purple.
Another creative way to personalize your pallet vertical vegetable garden is to use fabric as accents. If you find some interesting fabric in vibrant colors, you could cut it into strips, then attach it to the pallets between layers for a burst of brightness. An added benefit of this technique is the fabric can provide extra reinforcement for the edges of each level of your garden.
Fencing
If you would like to add more support or a barrier against potential pests, you can easily install fencing around the pallet vertical vegetable garden. Utilizing pre-made fence panels is an easy solution that does not require much work other than attaching them securely to your pallet. If you have smaller spaces for the fencing panels, you can use chain link fencing instead as it comes in rolls of various heights and lengths. It is important however to ensure that the fencing encircling your pallet vertical garden is secure and well set into the ground so that it won’t move or topple over due to external forces such as heavy winds. If space permits, try to leave at least one foot of clearance between the fence and the pallet so that light and airflow can reach all parts of the vertical garden.
Gardening Supplies
Basic supplies and tools needed for a pallet vertical vegetable garden include:
• Gloves – protective gloves to protect your hands while gardening
• Garden Pallet – preferably one made from wood, plastic, or fiberboard
• Potting Soil – to provide nutrients for growing vegetables
• Seeds/Seedlings – this will depend on the type of vegetable you’re planting
• Fertilizer – encourages healthy growth of vegetables and helps ensure success
• Watering Can – keeping plants hydrated is essential for successful gardening
• Hanging Baskets or Pots – these are optional but beneficial for a vertical garden to help organize vegetables on the pallet
• Labels/Stakes – used to easily identify different types of vegetables planted on the pallet
Seasonal Tips
Spring – During the spring months, consider planting a wide variety of vegetable crops that tolerate colder temperatures. This could include cool-season crops such as spinach, carrots, kale, and radishes. Additionally, make sure to regularly water and fertilize your garden to ensure optimal growth rates and vibrant yields.
Summer – During the summer months, focus on warm-season crops that prefer warmer temperatures such as beans, peppers, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes. Make sure to provide ample sunlight for these vegetables during this time by placing your vertical vegetable garden in an area that gets plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Additionally, keep up with frequent watering in order to keep your veggies healthy throughout the summer months.
Autumn – During the fall months is a great time to plant more leafy greens such as lettuce, arugula and Swiss chard. Additionally consideration should be given to adding some winter vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower which will do well into the cooler weather of late autumn/early winter if protected from frost or snow. Be prepared for extreme weather or temperature drops by having row cover materials or plastic ready for moment-to-moment protection of cold sensitive plants at night.
Winter – There are still growing opportunities during winter months such as root vegetables like potatoes and onions which thrive in lower temperatures. With some basic protection you can still get food out of your vertical vegetable garden through proper insulation or covering materials to protect from frost and snow. Alternatively hibernate many of your crops over the winter by planting cover or green manures through which you can prepare a healthier soil bed for future crop success come springtime again!
Troubleshooting
Pest infestation is a common problem when creating a vertical vegetable garden from pallets. To avoid or solve pest infestations, it is important to:
• Remove any weeds and debris that may be present on or around the pallet.
• Use treated wood when constructing the pallet so that it is less attractive to pests.
• Make sure your vegetables are getting sufficient amounts of water, sunlight, and nutrients as an unhealthy plant will attract more pests.
• Regularly check for presence of any pests such as insects, birds, and rodents.
• Spray insecticide on the infected plants and soil in order to eliminate them.
• Plant companion plants, such as basil and garlic, which are known to repel pests from the garden, near vulnerable vegetables.
If you’re looking to get into vegetable gardening, or are just looking for some tips on how to make your current garden better, then you’ve come to the right place! My name is Ethel and I have been gardening for years. In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of my best tips on how to create a successful vegetable garden.
