Vertical Gardening

A vertical garden can run the gamut from a simple arrangement of flowers in a large container on a deck to an elaborate display of strawberries and geraniums amid climbing peas and vines of small squash growing up a backyard fence. Any upright structure that can support vegetables, fruits, herbs, or flowers, whether these plants are in containers or in the ground, can be used in vertical gardening. Although vertical gardening is of particular interest to apartment dwellers and to city residents with limited yard space, it's also used by suburban and rural gardeners to grow vining plants up supports, so valuable space can be freed up for root crops. Gardening expert Jason Johns offers examples of many types of vertical gardens and gives suggestions for the most appropriate plants to grow vertically. He also gives tips for how to plan a vertical garden to take advantage of sunlight, allow for easy watering and care, and provide protection from wind and insect damage. Included are many photographs illustrating innovative and creative vertical gardening containers and arrangements.