Vertical Gardening

Background
The term vertical garden refers to any kind of construction and support structure
for growing plants in an upwards-directed, vertical way and thereby efficiently and
productively making use of the existing space.

A huge variety of different designs and concepts are available.

The design of vertical garden depends on the available material, space and local
preferences as well as on the creativity and imagination of the users.

Crops that can be grown comprise food crops (vegetables, fruits, herbs) and
non-food crops (e.g. ornamental plants, medical plants).
Advantages
● Low cost
● Minimal agricultural area required
● Contribution to household food security and alleviation of food shortages and
poverty
● Reuse and recycling option for human excreta, biodegradable wastes and
greywater
● Temperature insulation by growing plants on the walls of houses
● Simple and easy to understand
What can be planted?

Perennial plants: malunggay, kamote, gabi, ube, kangkong,

ampalaya, sitaw, garbanzos
Bulbs: gingers, onions, tubers
Survivability
100% - Kangkong, Kamote, Sitaw, Garbanzos, Tanglad,
Gabi, Saluyot, Ampalaya, Snow Peas
91% - Okra
88% - Luya, Ube, Repolyo,
60%-70% - Malunggay, Bell Pepper, Chinese Onions, Bell
Pepper, Pechay, Talong
Designs

Model A - Patch Gardening

*plots in a rectangular shape, ditches are provided for easy flow of
water, and pathways to step on, while removing its weeds
Designs
Model B - Dish or Potted Gardening
*indoor location, using recyclables like containers such as basins,
trays and pails

*plants are growing in shallow containers, which are placed with soil,
planted with vegetables at least of three variants, transferrable to a
place at the side of the pathways and alleys or in the school veranda

*Ideal plants: Chinese onions, Pechay, Ginger.

Designs
Model C - Vertical Gardening
*either indoor or outdoor mounted on walls, fences or trellises of the
school building wiht the use of recyclable sacks, empty soda bottles,
and other containers

*makes the trellises look fresh and green

*Ideal Plants: Vegetable climbers
Designs
Model D - Aerial Gardening
*hanging empty containers, in an open or covered aerial position in the
backyard.

*Iron wires can be used to hang plants in an improvised roofless

marquee or tent

*Ideal plants: tomatoes, kangong, bottle gourd or upo, sayote, alugbati

Designs
Model E - Refrigerator Gardening
*use of discarded dead fridge, its door, back and top covers are
removed, made to stand like a real fridge; small potted plants are
placed in every layer

*Fridge´s body is laid on the ground, then back cover is removed or

drilled with holes for drainage of water, garden soil is placed

*Ideal plants: vegetables

Designs
Model F - Pocket Gardening
*small garden constructed at any side of the building fringes

*Ideal plants: vegetables

Operation and Maintenance
To make sure plants do grow well on vertical surfaces regular water and nutrient
supply needs to be ensured.

Irrigation techniques like bottle irrigation or regular watering with watering cans
and alike can be used.

The use of treated or partly treated greywater and reclaimed water can also be a
cost effective alternative water and nutrient source particularly in water scarce
areas.
Operation and Maintenance

Essential plant nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium should be

applied according to the needs of the plants, this can either be done by adding
synthetic fertilizers or by making use of compost, vermicompost and/or human
urine or other organic fertilizer sources
Applicability
Vertical gardening is an excellent opportunity of growing food in areas where
space is limited, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

The different vertical garden technologies are an effective, simple and sustainable
method of enhancing food security for urban communities, slum dwellers and
other communities where agricultural production areas are limited.

Most solutions can easily implemented with locally available material at low cost
while it offers at the same time a livelihood opportunity and contributes to the local
food security situation.