Creating Versatile Vertical Plant Holders
01 Aug 2016
Whatever size or style of garden you have – large and laden with flower beds or a tiny balcony with just enough space for a few potted plants – you will probably have room for a vertical plant holder.
Attractive and affordable, a vertical plant holder is a decorative yet practical place to plant a wide assortment of flowers and herbs, from petunias to mint and everything in between.
Easy to make, with minimal materials and the barest of DIY skills, they are a fantastic gardening solution which can add that personal touch to your outside space.
What You Need
The main requirement for a vertical plant holder is a wooden pallet. You can buy wooden pallets from a range of places, including large local shops such as DIY stores. You can find second hand wooden pallets for sale as well as new unused ones from online companies such as Associated Pallets, or you can even try to acquire a used one for free.
As well as a decent wooden pallet, you will also need some landscape fabric, scissors, a staple gun and staples, three large bags of soil and some plants. The best to use are those which do not require a huge amount of water – those with shallow roots will do best.
Making Your Plant Holder
Put your pallet on the floor. Cut out three pieces of fabric – you’ll need two to place on the pallet horizontally and another to fit it vertically. There should be enough fabric to wrap around the sides of the pallet, so be generous with your cutting.
Staple the layers of fabric to your pallet, pulling the material tight. Staple frequently, for strength, and ensure all gaps on one side are covered.
Turn the pallet over so the fabric side is now on the ground, and trim any messy bits of fabric. If you want to paint or varnish your pallet, do it now and then let it dry.
Next, fill every row of your pallet with soil; form trenches in each row and plant your plants, packing them in tightly. Those plants which need more moisture should be planted at the bottom, as they will get more water filtering down.
When you have your plants to your liking, water them well and ideally leave the pallet lying flat for a few day so the plants have time to take root.
Your completed vertical plant holder should be placed somewhere in partial sun. You may want to get a friend to help you lift it – soil is heavier than you think. Keep it at an angle to ensure the soil doesn’t fall out.
And don’t forget that you can buy wooden pallets for a wide range of gardening and DIY projects.