by L.A.Woman
I moved from a house with a huge back yard to a place with a pretty nice sized balcony. As much as I love to garden, space was going to be a challenge as well as dealing with potted plants. I needed my herb garden (because, who doesn't NEED fresh herbs?) but I had no desire for little pots to be taking up ground space. Solution...build UP! So here is my lovely vertical garden made from an upcycled wooden pallet, some recycled pots, and metal wire. The entire thing ended up costing me about $30.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
At least 1 wooden pallet
As many pots as you have plants/seeds
Potting soil
Metal wire (i used 100lb wire)
Wire cutters
4 wood screws
Screwdriver
Outdoor paint in your favorite color
Paint brush or small roller
Step 1: Make it CUTE.
If you purchase small flowers or herbs from your local nursery or garden center, you know they always come in terrible, cheap, black plastic containers. So, first thing first...make it cute! Get different pots of different sizes and colors, throw some potting soil in there and transplant your baby plants to them. If you are starting from seed, this will bring color to your garden from day one! The different colors bring life to any garden.
Step 2: Get some paint on your wood.
While your newly planted seeds rest and take in the sunshine and fresh water, take that old pallet and give it a face lift! Lay it down and paint it in the brightest color you enjoy! It is best to find paint that is good for outdoors. But if you don't want to spend any money on this and happen to have an old can of paint in the closet, by all means, use it!
Side note: if you are wondering where to get a wooden pallet, your local grocery store will probably be more than willing to GIVE you one. Yes, just GIVE it to you at no cost as long as you throw it in your car yourself. Call around your neighborhood stores, I'm sure you can get one pretty easily.
Side note: if you are wondering where to get a wooden pallet, your local grocery store will probably be more than willing to GIVE you one. Yes, just GIVE it to you at no cost as long as you throw it in your car yourself. Call around your neighborhood stores, I'm sure you can get one pretty easily.
Step 3: Wire Work
While your pallet dries and that wonderful new paint job sets in, take your metal wire and wrap it around each pot several times, three or four times to be sure they will be secure. Twist tightly at the end and make sure you leave long strands of wire on each pot. You will need this in order to hang your pots.
Step 4: Get Hangin'!
Bring your pallet to the wall where you want to place it. Attach it with four screws at the top. If you have no wall where screws can penetrate, you can always lean it slightly and it will stay put.
Take your pots and decide where you want them placed on the pallet. Those long ends of wire should be long enough to go around the board you want them on, several times. Make sure you twist the ends tightly to secure your pot. Do this until all your small pots are hung. Feel free to place larger plants around them or on the ground if they were too heavy to hang. Now, step back and marvel at your work!
Take your pots and decide where you want them placed on the pallet. Those long ends of wire should be long enough to go around the board you want them on, several times. Make sure you twist the ends tightly to secure your pot. Do this until all your small pots are hung. Feel free to place larger plants around them or on the ground if they were too heavy to hang. Now, step back and marvel at your work!
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