On today’s podcast episode, Rachel talks about something that can totally change your garden — growing vertically! Whether you have a tiny backyard, a small deck, or just a balcony, vertical gardening is a fun way to grow more food and flowers without needing tons of space.

Listen To The Podcast

Why Grow Vertically?

There are so many good reasons to grow up instead of out:

• Save Space: Perfect if your yard or balcony is small!
• Better Airflow: Helps prevent plant diseases, especially in humid weather.
• Easier Harvesting: No more bending over or hunting for hidden veggies!
• Pest Control: Growing up can make it harder for bugs to reach your plants.
• No Good Soil? No Problem!: You can grow vertically in containers even if your soil isn’t great.

Simple Setups for Growing Vertically

You don’t need fancy equipment to start. Here are a few easy ways I’ve done it:

• Trellises: I use metal conduit bent into arches, with strong netting attached. It’s sturdy enough for even heavy tomatoes!
• Arbors and Arches: Big wire panels (like cattle panels) bent into shapes make perfect arches for vining plants like beans or squash.
• Tepees: Gather sticks or bamboo poles into a tepee shape — awesome for beans and peas!
• Vertical Towers: These can be homemade or store-bought. You can even find affordable ones at places like Dollar Tree!
• Wall-Mounted Structures: Use pallets, gutters, or even wool bags attached to walls or fences.

Tip: Heavy plants like melons may need extra support. Old nylons make great stretchy slings!

What Plants Grow Well Vertically?

Lots of plants love to climb! Here are some of my favorites:

• Tomatoes: (Use indeterminate varieties — they just keep growing!)
• Cucumbers: Most varieties climb naturally.
• Pole Beans: I love growing purple pole beans because they’re easy to spot!
• Peas: Perfect for smaller trellises.
• Squash and Zucchini: Especially the vining types.
• Strawberries: Perfect for tower gardens.
• Herbs: Great for vertical towers or wall planters.
• Melons: Just give them extra support when they start to fruit.
• Blackberries: Trellising them keeps the patch neat.
• Small Fruit Trees: You can even train little trees flat against a wall (this is called espalier).

Tips for Vertical Gardening Success

Want to make your vertical garden awesome? Keep these tips in mind:

• Sunlight: Make sure your plants get the right amount of sun or shade.
• Watering: Vertical gardens dry out faster. Set up a watering system or plan to water often.
• Use Good Soil: Whether it’s homemade or bought, make sure it’s rich and healthy.
• Prune Smart: Trim your plants to improve airflow and prevent disease.
• Support Your Plants: Train vines to climb and tie heavy fruits gently with things like old nylons.

Ideas for Small Backyards

When we had a small yard, I learned to use every edge:

• Raised Beds + Trellises: A raised bed with a trellis above it is a space-saving powerhouse!
• Perimeter Planting: Grow along fences, garages, or house walls.
• Create Shade: Arches covered in vines can shade lettuces or make a fun hideout for kids and pets.

One of my favorite books about this is “Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew. I used his ideas for years, and it worked so well that I even bought copies for my kids!

Ideas for Balconies and Tiny Spaces

No yard? No problem! Here are some fun ways to garden vertically on a balcony:

• Railing Planters: Hang planters over your balcony rails.
• Vertical Towers: Soil or hydroponic towers with wheels work great!
• Wall Planters: Use felt pockets, shelves, or even recycled items.
• Ladders and Benches: Set up shelves or ladder frames to grow more plants.
• Earth Boxes: Moveable raised beds with built-in watering systems.

Even on a tiny 4×8-foot balcony, you can grow tons of herbs, veggies, and flowers!

It’s Never Too Late to Start!

If you’re worried that it’s too late in the season — don’t be!
I live in a place where we don’t plant until the end of May, and we still grow plenty. Even if you missed starting seeds, you can always buy some young plants and get growing.

Try starting small with a single trellis or tower. Watch how much fun it is to have green vines and colorful fruits hanging in your space!

Final Thoughts

Growing vertically has totally changed the way I garden. It’s fun, it’s beautiful, and it lets you grow a lot of food — even if you don’t have a lot of room.
Plus, who doesn’t love walking under a shady tunnel of cucumbers or beans?

I hope you give it a try this season.

Links:

Jute Trellis: https://amzn.to/44I0L8O

Nylon Trellis: https://amzn.to/44Llys5

Earth Box: https://amzn.to/4jRSBiC