How to Create a DIY Vertical Garden at Home
I’ve always believed you don’t need acres of land to create a thriving garden.
My expedition with vertical gardening began when my tiny apartment balcony felt too cramped for traditional planting.
What started as an experiment quickly became a passion. Vertical gardens aren’t just space-savers; they’re conversation starters and mood lifters.
They change blank walls into living art and bring nature into even the most urban environments.
Whether you’re working with a small balcony, a fence, or an indoor wall, I’m excited to share how you can create your own vertical oasis without breaking the bank.
Ready to grow up instead of out? Let’s plunge in.
Step-By-Step on Making DIY Vertical Garden
Step 1. Gather Your Materials and Tools
Start by collecting all the cedar fence boards. Choose cedar because it resists rot and pests, making it safe for growing edible plants.
Tools Required
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Speed square | For marking and measuring angles (10° angle used) |
| Nail gun | For fastening the boards together |
| Measuring tape | For measuring the boards |
| Pencil | For marking measurements |
| Chop saw | For cutting the boards |
| Level | To ensure the planter is level |
Materials Required
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Cedar fence boards | Rot-resistant and pest-resistant, safe for edible plants |
| Nails | For securing the boards together |
| Potting soil | For planting the herbs |
| Herb plants | Basil, cilantro, and dill mentioned in the video |
Step 2. Cut the Side Pieces
Mark two cedar boards at 4 feet tall with a 10-degree angle at the top and bottom. Use the speed square to mark the angles. Cut the boards with the chop saw. These angled cuts will form the sides of your vertical planter.
Step 3. Cut the Back Piece
Cut another cedar board at exactly 4 feet with flat (90-degree) cuts at both ends. This piece will serve as the back support for your vertical garden. Make sure the cuts are clean and precise.
Step 4. Assemble the Frame
Position the two angled side pieces so that they face inward. Place the back piece between them at the top. Use the nail gun to secure the pieces together. Make sure the side pieces stay on the outside of the frame.
Step 5. Cut the Planter Shelves
Cut additional cedar boards to fit between the side pieces. These will be your planting shelves. Cut 45-degree angles at the ends of each shelf board so they sit flush against the frame.
The creator made seven planter shelves that are 7 inches wide.
Step 6. Attach the Planter Shelves
Position each shelf board at your desired spacing within the frame. Use the nail gun to secure each shelf to the side pieces. Leave small gaps between boards to allow for water drainage.
Step 7. Fill with Soil and Plants
Once the structure is complete, fill each shelf with potting soil. Plant your chosen herbs in each section. The video creator planted basil, cilantro, and dill. The planter design allows water to drain through the cracks between boards.
Step 8. Position Your Vertical Garden
Place your finished vertical garden in your desired location. The design allows it to be moved if needed so that you can change its position according to sunlight or space needs.
Video Tutorial
For a visual tutorial, refer to this video by Swyers:
Tips for Your DIY Vertical Herb Garden
1. Choose the Right Wood: Select cedar or redwood for your vertical garden. These woods naturally resist rot and pests without chemical treatments. This matters when growing food plants that you will eat later.
2. Adjust the Angle for Your Needs: Consider changing the 10-degree angle to suit your plants. A steeper angle holds more soil for plants with deeper roots. A gentler angle allows for more planting sections in the same space.
3. Plan for Proper Drainage: Leave small gaps between the boards. These spaces allow excess water to drain away. Without good drainage, your plants might develop root rot or fungal issues.
4. Consider the Sunlight Needs: Place your vertical garden where it gets the right amount of sun for your plants. Most herbs need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. The movable design lets you adjust as seasons change.
5. Group Plants with Similar Needs: Plant herbs with similar water and sun needs together. For example, group basil, cilantro, and dill since they have comparable care needs. This makes watering and maintenance easier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Proper Drainage: Without gaps between boards, water gets trapped. This causes root rot and kills plants. Always ensure proper drainage paths exist.
- Making Angles Too Steep or Too Shallow: If angles are too steep, soil falls out. If too shallow, plants lack growing room. Test your angle before the final assembly.
- Forgetting to Level the Structure: An unlevel planter looks bad and causes uneven watering. Water runs to one side, leaving some plants dry.
- Overcrowding Plants: Putting too many plants in each section limits growth. Give each herb enough space to thrive.
- Skipping the 45-Degree Cuts: Straight cuts on shelf ends look unfinished. The 45-degree angle creates a clean, professional appearance.
- Making Shelves Too Narrow: Shelves need enough width to hold adequate soil. Anything less than 5 inches may dry out too quickly.
Conclusion
You know how to build your own cedar vertical garden in just 20 minutes. This simple project turns unused fence boards into a practical herb garden that saves space and looks great.
Remember to select cedar for safety, adjust angles for your specific plants, and ensure proper drainage through board spacing.
What makes this project special is its flexibility. You can customize it to fit your space, plant preferences, and skill level. Even with basic tools, you can create something both useful and attractive.
Ready to start growing? Gather your materials, set aside an afternoon, and enjoy fresh herbs right from your wall. Your vertical garden awaits!
What herbs are you planning to grow in your new vertical planter? Share your plans in the comments below!
