Living in the city offers all the conveniences that are authentic to an urban environment, like being close to your favourite coffee shop. While you live there, you can also enjoy perks such as the short drive to work and the gorgeous cityscape visible from an apartment balcony. However, one does tend to miss the soft green surrounds and gentle aromas of a suburban garden.
Choose plants that will work well in this urban environment like Epipremnum aureum.One solution to every urban gardener’s need for green is the introduction of vertical gardens. These gardens are designed and landscaped alongside walls and, depending on the plants, can be showcased outside and inside the home – a new gardening experience that allows homeowners to bring nature indoors.
If you’re thinking of starting your own garden, Blok has tips on how to incorporate a vertical garden into your home.
Ideal vertical garden plants
The concept of vertical gardens seems complicated, however, it’s simple enough for you to create at home.
To start off with, you’ll need a bare wall that needs a burst of design inspiration. Then you’ll need to choose plants that will work well in this urban environment - plants that reduce Volatile Organic Chemicals.
Plants that are great for vertical landscaping include Nephrolepis exaltata, Hedera helix, Liriope sp, Chlorophytum comosum, Epipremnum aureum, Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum and Sansevieria sp.
Making your own pipe garden
You can make your own vertical garden using PVC pipes and felt carpet padding.For the structure, you’ll need a PVC pipe and four-way joint (this is always the better option as metal adds more weight to the structure and wood requires special protection against moisture).
You’ll also need some strong fabric like felt carpet padding – this is where your plants will live and where the water will be stored. An irrigation system is important as your fertiliser will also be added to this - it will be the system that keeps your plants green and luscious.
Once you have all your materials, you can get started.
1. Attach the plastic sheeting to the frame. The plastic acts like a backing layer for the fabric layer and keeps the water off the wall.
2. Attach the fabric layer to the plastic sheeting as this is where your plants will live.
3. Set up the irrigation system. It will provide your plants with moisture throughout the fabric layer.
4. Add a fertiliser injection and irrigation to a water source, which will carry the liquid fertiliser into the irrigation system.
Apart from the fact that they add an element of sophistication and elegance to your home, vertical gardens also absorb unwanted gasses in the air, improve air circulation and stabilise outdoor and indoor air temperatures.5. Pick your plants and insert them into the outer fabric layer.
6. And now for the fun part - plan your design, the possibilities are endless.
Then you’ll require some patience – a good reference source is “The Vertical Garden” by Patrick Blanc that will help you bide the time while you wait for your garden to thrive.Why indoor gardens are beneficial
Apart from the fact that they add an element of sophistication and elegance to your home, vertical gardens also absorb unwanted gasses in the air, improve air circulation and stabilise outdoor and indoor air temperatures.
Also, for those urban dwellers who chose to live in the city centre, vertical gardens add that much needed green element to your environment.
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