Vertical Gardening:
Sister Blevins was so wonderful to demonstrate for us how to make a vertical planter. It was an amazing class and so fun to learn. I just hope I (Raquel) remember everything that was taught!
She made the wooden boards previous to the class. She got them at Home Depot and screwed them together. She did her own design with different lengths, but you can do what you choose. You can even add in more dividers if you prefer as well (to hold the dirt more secure). Just one in between worked fine.
Alicia added the pipe on her own. You can do it with or without. They are for watering purposes. With the pipe, you would cut holes in them (more on the top then the bottom) in order to water the plants. When upright, pour water down the pipe and it will come out the holes to water inside. If you chose to do without the pipes, you would just water the plants through the black fabric.
Better detail of the boards...
This is bottom of the planter. There are two layers of the black gardening fabric stapled to the wood.
The two separate pieces side by side. (Here you can see the choice in different lengths, again you can do whatever style you would like.)
The potting mix she used. "Moisture Control" is preferred.
Fill the boards level with the potting mix. (Note: you will still want enough room to be able to insert the flowers later, but enough soil inside to keep the flowers firm in place once lifted vertical.)
Adding just a bit more soil after the bags. (2 big bags were used for this project.)
Once the planters are filled with soil, cover the front with one layer of the black gardening fabric.
Trim and staple.
Fold the edges in before stapling to secure soil better.
Just a suggestion: once you get to this point and the planters are covered securely with the fabric (except maybe the top), place the planter upright and allow the soil to settle. Add additional soil at the top if needed. You want enough soil to keep flowers secure, but not too packed so flowers can be inserted.
Once everything is stapled and secure, you can start planting.
Cut an "X" in the fabric (a hole just enough to insert flower) and plant the flower into the soil inside.
If the pipe is right underneath the flower, cut the bottom of the flower at the roots to split it in halve, then place the divided flower roots over the pipe, then cover with soil. (Only cut the roots of the flower half way up so not to ruin the flower.)
Flower inserted in the hole and covered with soil.
From here you can choose the flowers you want and place them wherever you would like.
BEAUTIFUL!!
I know there are SO many pictures on here, but the pictures explain much better than I can. I hope this post helped and informed well on how to make vertical gardens. If it didn't, call Alicia Blevins at 307-277-6089; she can probably answer better than I can!
I absolutely loved this project and hope to make mine soon!
