Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Eco-lifestyle: Vertical gardens

Vertical gardens are all the rage these days in the modern sustainability circles. A vertical garden is the perfect solution for apartment dwellers who don't have a little plot of land to toil or a rooftop to transform into Eden.


The benefits includes reducing noise, cooling a building, filtering and oxygenating the air and of course, producing delicious organic food. Vertical gardens can consist of herbs, vegetables, ferns or whatever you fancy. I found the best pictures of succulent vertical gardens so I think if I were to tackle this project, I would go the succulent route first.

I found instructions here.

1. Build a frame with a 2'' depth and cover with wire mesh. Or buy one at Succulent gardens

2. Place soil over screen and run your fingers over the screen and soil to move through screen. Make sure there is very little air space between soil and screen.

3. Snip some cuttings from mature plants. Make sure the stems are 1/4 inch in length or smaller. The cuttings will need to heal and form a scab for about one week before planting. Store cuttings in a cool shaded area before planting.

4. Poke the cuttings’ stem ends through the mesh and into the soil. Leave the frame lying flat in a cool, bright location while plants take root, about 7 to 10 days after planting, then begin watering.

Once plants are securely rooted―this takes between 4 and 12 weeks―display the frames upright in an area that gets morning or filtered sun.

Water as soil approaches dryness, about every 7 to 10 days. To water, remove frame from the wall, lay flat, water lightly, and let soil drain before hanging up again.




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