Making room for gardens in today’s urban landscape is a
really tough job; most of us live in apartments with tiny balconies where
having even a couple of plants are problematic.
Hardcore gardening
buffs have come up with a way around this problem - vertical gardens!
Plants in containers or geo felt bags mounted on the wall is
quite a popular concept abroad and is fast catching up in Indian metros as
well.
The primary area of concern for vertical gardening is
watering, which has to be done using a certain method. The excess water should
drain out through a proper channel. Seasonal flowers, philodendron and money
plants are ideal for vertical home gardens. You can opt for indoor or outdoor
plants. Having a vertical garden save you a lot of space and help in bringing freshness
and purity in your home.
How to begin
Identify the area where you want the green wall. Any wall is
good, but it's always better if you choose one that gets some natural light,
even if indirect. Think about your budget and research to find good budget
ideas.
Area required
All you need is a wall or a partition; you can go for a
boundary wall or even a small balcony wall. The structure of the green wall
should be a three-layer sandwich -frame, plastic sheet and fabric -so that even
when you attach it to a wall, it stays unharmed. This also makes dismounting
easy.
Choosing plants
For indoors use plants that thrive in shade, while for areas
like balcony walls etc you can opt for sun loving varieties of plants.
How to water the
plants
If your green wall has a drip irrigation system, you just
need to turn on a tap and your plants get watered in no time. Otherwise, you
can use a hose for outdoor walls and a spray gun for indoor plants.
How to maintain the
garden
Maintenance is dependent on the type of plants and the unit.
If you're using green walls from reputed companies that offer you soil-less
units, then minimal maintenance is required. However, plants need good care,
and if watered properly, they require less maintenance
Remember vertical gardens are somewhat expensive, and need
good care. So consider carefully before you commit.
