10 Vertical Garden Systems You Can Build on a Budget
Vertical Garden systems
Backstory on our decision to build a vertical garden system.

While our decision to build a vertical garden was primarily a space issue, quick research showed that vertical gardening is actually a pretty good choice for bad new gardeners like us. Vertical gardens can improve plant health due to increased air circulation and a reduced risk of disease and pests. It also opened our eyes to creatively greening an unused space, the back fence, that we probably wouldn’t even have recognized as it’s own space otherwise. At the end of the day, each plant we add to our patio makes it feel like a happier space and a bit more like home…with the exception of those darn flies.
our vertical garden system: A simple container garden
Materials Per Section
- 3 Galvanized Tin Buckets (5″ Diameter)
- 2 Boards (1 x 3 x 24″)
- 2 Zinc-Plated Double-Wide Mending Plates (2″)
- 1 French Cleat Wood Mount Per Section
- Dark Walnut Wood Stain
- 1.25″ Wood Screws
Steps
- Cut boards to your desired length. You can use the measurements listed above or another that works better for your space.
- Screw mending plates on boards leaving a 1/4″ gap in between.
- Stain boards your desired color. We used Dark Walnut.
- Screw buckets or other containers onto the boards.
- Attach the french cleats to fence and back of the top board.
- Install your preferred configuration on your fence.
- Plant and enjoy your new vertical garden system!
More Options for Vertical Garden Systems

Creative Trellises

Pocket Hanging Vertical Garden

Upcycled Container Gardens

Mason Jar Herb Garden

Stacked Garden Tower

Tiered Strawberry Planter

Gutter Gardens

Living Art Planters

DIY Hydroponics for Beginners
Some things to consider before building your vertical gardening system

- PLACEMENT: If you’re going to build your vertical garden system on a wall or fence, make sure you’re aware of how the sun hits your chosen space. Also, remember to plan for access, making sure it’s not too much of a challenge to maintain your plants. I’m vertically challenged, so we added french cleats that allow us to easily remove each panel from the fence when it’s time to harvest or plant for the next season.
- MAKE ROOM FOR ROOT GROWTH: When designing your system, consider the types of plants you want to grow and make sure you leave enough room for root depth accordingly. Herbs have shallower roots and thus work best for smaller containers. A brief chart on root depth of vegetables can be found here.
- WEIGHT: If you’re going to install your vertical garden system on a wall or fence, make sure to account for the weight of the plants as they grow and fruit. Also remember, to account for the extra weight of plants after they are watered.
- WATER MANAGEMENT: The smaller the container, the faster the soil will dry out, especially if you have a lot of sun exposure. Plan to water more than you might expect, or possibly consider adding a drip irrigation system to your design. On the other end of the gardening spectrum, be aware of how water drains. Stay on the lookout for leakage and consider adding waterproof materials to reduce the risk of mold and mildew.