Vertical beds: types and DIY instructions

The construction of vertical beds has a number of features. They are made from various materials and objects - barrels, pipes, bags, car tires, metal mesh. Such designs are suitable for growing different plants - vegetables, berries, flowers. In order for the use of beds to be successful, it is important to think through all the nuances and carry out planting work correctly.

What can be grown in vertical beds

Vertical beds are not recommended for crops that have strongly developed roots and go deeper than 1 meter. It is best to use them for different types of greens - lettuce, basil, onions.Also, the facilities are suitable for growing annual flowers with small roots. These include petunias, small marigolds, ageratum, dwarf asters.

Also, this type of beds is suitable for strawberries and strawberries. However, in this case, they need to ensure a sufficient amount of soil in the tank.

Pros and cons

The key advantages of such designs include the following:

lack of fruit contact with soil;
minimal risk of fungal development;
no weeds;
protection of cultivated plants from parasites;
the ability to move to a warm place for the winter;
decorative appearance;
ease of care.

At the same time, vertical structures also have certain disadvantages:

need for frequent watering;
possibility of using beds only for small plants;
need for systematic feeding;
need for warming beds when growing perennials.

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There are many varieties of vertical beds, each with its own pros and cons.

Multi-tiered

This is a simple structure that helps save space on the site and makes it easier to care for plants. It can be used to decorate areas near stairs, sheds, garages. Different levels allow you to take into account the differences in the needs of the selected plants. It is permissible to plant tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers from above, carrots and beets from below.

For the manufacture of multi-level structures, it is allowed to use a variety of materials. Suitable options are boxes, boards, slate. It is also acceptable to use brick and curb tape.

Hanging

The key advantage of such structures is the possibility of their placement at any height. Structures can be easily removed for the winter. Most often they are used for growing petunias and pelargoniums.

The walls of houses, sheds, garages are used as a support. Also, fences and special racks are used for this. Then containers of different volumes and weights are suspended from the supporting structures. You can make hanging structures from tires, drainage systems, thick sewer pipes, large plastic bottles.

Pyramid

These beds do not require additional support. Thanks to the pyramid-shaped structures, it is possible to save a lot of space. In addition, such structures can be used as decorative elements. For the manufacture of pyramidal structures, tires of different diameters are perfect.

Cooking instructions

To make vertical beds, it is permissible to use a variety of improvised materials.

From bags

To make a bed with your own hands, you should use bags stitched on the sides and bottom. To do this, they need to be fixed with hooks or nails on a wooden or metal support. It is worth pouring soil inside, and placing seeds on the sides.

From tires

It is permissible to use tires of different diameters for the construction of the beds. They are recommended to be installed on top of each other in the form of a pyramid. At the same time, the structure should be used for growing exclusively ornamental plants.

From the barrel

To implement this option, you need to take a plastic or wooden barrel. On the sides it is recommended to make holes measuring 15 centimeters. Inside it is worth pouring soil, and then proceed to planting.

From old pallets

It will be possible to make a bed with the help of a pallet, agrofibre and burlap. From the inside, the pallet should be covered with burlap, and on top - sheathed with agrofibre. After that, it is recommended to place it vertically, pour soil inside, make holes and plant plants.

Metal mesh

For this design, it is recommended to take a grid with cells of 50x50 or 100x100 millimeters. It should be rolled into a cylinder with a diameter of 70-100 centimeters. It is recommended to fill the inside with straw, and lay out the soil in the center. After that, seeds, tubers or bulbs can be placed in the cells.

From pipes

Pipes can be placed horizontally or vertically. In the first case, they need to be cut into 2 parts and installed on top of each other. This method is suitable for growing greens, flowers, herbs. When placed vertically in pipes, it is worth cutting round holes at intervals of 15-20 centimeters, filling them with soil and placing seeds or tubers inside.

From the boards

Such a structure can be made in the form of a ladder, a pyramid or a bookcase. Collecting a bed is easy. To do this, you need to take the support boards, cut off the upper corners from them and lean against the central pillar. After assembling the main frame, attach the board-shelves.

From plastic boxes

This method allows you to create a beautiful green fence, perform zoning of the territory or cover unsightly areas.To implement it, it is recommended to fill plastic boxes with soil, turn them on their side and install them on top of each other. Plant seeds or seedlings in the prepared holes.

From pots

Such structures are mainly used for growing greenery and flowers. At the same time, you can make a pyramid out of pots or place them at an angle on a steel support.

Specificity of vertical beds

Vertical beds can be used for growing various plants. In each case, their use differs in certain specifics.

For vegetables

Such facilities are suitable for growing cucumbers and tomatoes. For this, it is recommended to use containers with a volume of 20 liters. A suitable option would be dense black bags. It is also acceptable to use burlap or barrels.

For greens

Since the soil in vertical beds warms up quickly, they can be used for planting early greens. Plants with a small root system do not require large containers. Therefore, it is permissible to put them in burlap pockets, boxes, planters.

For berries

High beds are perfect for growing berry plants - strawberries and wild strawberries. The length of their roots does not exceed 20-25 centimeters. Therefore, for each bush there will be enough capacity of 2 liters. Pots of suitable sizes would be an excellent option. They are recommended to be placed on multi-tiered racks in well-lit areas.

When planting plants in large bags or barrels, it is worth making holes in a checkerboard pattern. They should be placed every 25 centimeters. To provide crops with sufficient lighting, there should be no more than 3 bags or barrels per 1 square meter of the site.

For flowers

For growing on vertical beds, you should choose ampelous plants, which are distinguished by a long flexible stem. These crops are usually fast-growing annuals that bloom profusely during the summer.

Suitable options for vertical beds include the following:

begonia - does not like hot weather and needs frequent watering;
geranium - needs warmth and sun, is resistant to drought;
lobelia - loves the sun and a little shade, needs moist soil with a high content of nutrients;
bacopa - is a perennial with white flowers that adorn the bushes throughout the summer.

How to hide?

During the winter season, pots or boxes can freeze to the ground. Most often, they are recommended to be removed from vertical structures, laid on the ground and covered with spruce or coniferous spruce branches. More bulky designs can be covered with spanbond.

Vertical beds are considered convenient structures that can be used to grow a wide variety of crops. In order for the use of such structures in agriculture to be successful, it is important to take into account all the nuances of their manufacture and the peculiarities of planting.