Grow A Living Wall - Create Vertical Gardens With Purpose Pollinators - Herbs and Veggies - Aromatherapy - Many More (2015)

RG O W A L I V ING W A LL
C R E AT E
L GARDENS
E R T I C A R P OS E
V H PU
WIT
Pollinators Herbs and Veggies Aromatherapy Many More

SHAWNA CORONADO
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
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42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160_c1.indd 1 11/14/14 4:36 PM
(Fogra 39) Job:11-42102 Title:CSP - Grow A Living Wall
TEXT 11-AC72478 DTP:160 Page:1
Acquisitions Editor: First published in 2015 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA
Mark Johanson Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA
Project Manager: 2015 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Text 2015 Shawna Coronado
Caitlin Fultz Photography 2015 Shawna Coronado unless otherwise noted
Art Director: All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purposes of
Cindy Samargia Laun review, no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission
from the Publisher.
Designer:
Diana Boger The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All rec-
ommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or Publisher,
who also disclaims any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific
details.
On the front cover:
Hydroponic Pollinator Garden We recognize, further, that some words, model names, and designations
(page 73), Shawna Coronado mentioned herein are the property of the trademark holder. We use them for identifica-
tion purposes only. This is not an official publication.
On the back cover:
Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or
Top, Aromatherapy Garden sales-promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing
(page 119), Shawna Coronado Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.
Center, Insulate-a-Wall Garden To find out more about our books, visit us online at www.coolspringspress.com.
(page 83), Shawna Coronado
ISBN: 978-1-59786-624-4
Bottom, Herbal Cocktail Garden Digital edition: 978-1-62788-620-8
(page 43), Shawna Coronado Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-624-4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Coronado, Shawna, author.
Grow a living wall : create vertical gardens with purpose : pollinatorsherbs & veggies
aromatherapymany more / Shawna Coronado.
pages cm
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-59186-624-4 (sc)
1. Vertical gardening. I. Title. II. Title: Create vertical gardens with purpose.
SB463.5.C65 2015
635dc23
2014035466
Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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To my friends, family, and all The people who have decided To grow.
Do not give up. Keep learning and growing.

You can make a differenceI believe in you!

CONteNts
7
Introduction
How to Make a Difference with a Living Wall
Part I Part II
How to Create Living Wall Gardens
Living Walls with Purpose
22 43
Which Living Wall System Herbal Cocktail Garden
Is Right for You? A Freestanding Herb Garden Planted
with Mixology in Mind
26
Tools That Help 47
Moss and Shade Wall Art
29 Low-Maintenance Moss Makes a Novel
Getting Started Design Statement in Any Home
31 51
Watering the Living Wall Vegetable Balconies Garden
32 These Hanging Veggie Boxes Deliver
Soil and Compost Fresh Food and Fresh Air
35 55
Choosing and Obtaining Plants Fern Garden
for Your Living Wall A Stunning Vertical Wall Solution for
Shady and Damp Locations
59
Cactus Living Wall
Put a Spotlight on Exotic Desert Beauty and Color
with an Arrangement of Water-Smart Cactus
65
Therapeutic Hanging Gardens
Two Simple Living Wall Arrangements that Turn
a Plain Gate into a Calming Garden Element
73
Hydroponic Pollinator Garden
This Beautiful (and Soilless) Flowering Garden Offers
Food and Shelter for Bees and Butterflies
79
Shade Pallet Garden
Bringing New Life to a Living Wall Using Some Old Wood
83
Insulate-a-Wall Garden
Use Flowers, Vegetables, and Herbs to Save Energy

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89
Bookshelf Fence Garden
Upcycle an Old Bookshelf into a Shady Living Wall
93
Succulent Living Wall
These Fleshy Plants Are More Popular than Ever,
Plus Theyre Perfect for a Living Wall
97
Vertical Vegetable Farm
Grow Luscious, Fresh Veggies
Even in the Tiniest Spaces
101
Aphrodisiac Wall Garden
Grow Your Own Garden of Love
107
Freestanding Entrance Garden
A Pretty Project to Improve Curb Appeal
with Houseplants
113
Culinary Kitchen Garden
Grow Your Own Organic Vegetables and
Herbs for Cooking
119
Aromatherapy Garden
Invite Some Favorite Scents into Your Garden
to Improve Mood
125
Money-Saving Garden
Growing a Fruitful Garden from Seed 148
Is Practically Free Living Wall Maintenance
131 152
Smart Garden Online Product Resources
A Balcony Garden Can Help Increase Your
Attention Span in Your Home Office 153
Contributors
135
155
Colorful Living Wall
Acknowledgments
Build One Today Because Beauty Is Important
156
139
Conversions
Vitamin-Rich Culinary Garden
Fresh Herbs and Vegetables at Your Fingertips 157
Index
143
Urban Water-Saving Garden 160
Conserve Water and Make a Difference Meet Shawna Coronado

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INtROduCtION
How to Make a Difference with a Living Wall
IMAGINE A rEVOLUTIONArY PLANTING technique that lets you plant more than thirty plants in a floor area that is only one
square foot. The trick is simply to grow up, not out. Gardening with this technique is amazingly simple and easy to accomplish
for anyone, just by planting a living wall garden. Sited on fences, gates, walls, balconies, and even doors, living wall gardens
save enormous amounts of space, while producing an abundance of flowers, perennials, herbs, and vegetables.
I came up with the idea of planting more vertical mitigate urban heat issues, inspire therapeutic living, grow
or living walls on my own property when I picked up a aphrodisiac plants, contribute to your culinary kitchen, save
24-by-7-inch window box, did a little math, and discovered water, help beautify a community, help save the pollinating
that its footprint was exactly 1.16 square feet. Then I insects, and even help you entertain your friends. Do you
thought: What if I stacked five window boxes on top of one love herbal tea? Design a garden with all the herbs you need
another and fastened them to the wall? That 1.16-square- to make your favorite herbal tea blends. Imagine having a
foot garden would increase its planting capacity five times. cute little kitchen garden or cocktail herb garden that can
In about one square foot of floor space, I could plant nearly reside right on your balcony or patio. The point is, these
6 square feet of plants. This would enable me to plant distinct, self-contained gardens are just the right size to
between thirty-five and forty-five plants. Hows that for make any statement or develop any theme you want, from
efficient? And what if small-space gardeners all over the the frivolous to the life-affirming. With a living wall you
world would adopt this vertical growing method? That would can make a difference by creating something that is both
mean more food for the hungry and more flowering plants attractive and useful.
for pollinators. Planting vertically could truly help a family While the practical applications for living wall gardens
make a difference for themselves and their community. are virtually unlimited, for many people the best reason to
What else can living walls do? They can help save energy grow one is simply that they are beautiful and truly artistic
and reduce utility expenses, solve challenging design issues, conversation pieces.
Are you concerned about bees and

colony collapse? Why not design a
lovely, flowering pollinator wall that
attracts bees and butterflies and gives
them a safe refuge? This is a great
example of what I mean when I say
vertical gardens with purpose.

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Living walls offer brilliant solutions,
such as creating privacy for home
gardens by blocking neighbor
sightlines into patios and balconies.
Plant Connection, Inc.
What IS a Living Wall?

A living wall is a self-sufficient vertical garden growing on Several other terms are used to describe a living wall. For
the side of a building, fence, gate, or balcony. Within the example, green wall is a common synonym for a living wall
living wall system is a structural support that is fastened system. Other names include ecowall, biowall, hydrowall,
directly to the supporting wall or fence that holds the vegetated wall, plant wall, or vertical garden. Within this
plant roots and soil system. It can be soil-based or book you will see both living wall and vertical wall garden
water-based, and some have built-in watering systems. used interchangeably to mean the same thing: most typically
Plants receive their nutrients from within the vertical a garden that can be attached to a wall or fence of some
structural support system. Garden walls that have plants kind or even function as a standalone multi-tiered garden
with their roots in the ground, such as walls filled with that is not directly attached to a wall at all. Living walls are
ivy or covered with honeysuckle, are not considered a remarkably versatile and afford the ability to grow in spaces
living wall. that are much smaller than the traditional garden.
More Fun, Less Work

Most living walls require far less work than traditional Another benefit of vertical wall gardening is that it is out
in-the-ground gardening. There is no weeding involved. of reach of many garden pests; it is pretty tough for a rabbit
Gardeners everywhere jump up and cheerno weeding is a to climb a 6-foot wall and munch on lettuce. Some insect
reason to celebrate! pests can only get at the plants when they physically contact
Living walls can save you a lot of time. Many of the new the ground, and living walls are often hung well above
living wall products have self-watering systems to automate ground level. While growing a living wall does not guarantee
your watering. If they do not come with a watering system, that bad insects will stay away, chances are that you will see
it is easy to install one for your particular living wall fewer ground-related insects. A positive twist on this is that
situation. Because you will spend less time weeding and you will very likely see more flying pollinators such as bees
watering, you will have more time to do important things and butterflies, which you want to encourage for stronger
like read a book or drink herbal martinis with your friends flower and vegetable production.
or bike the Yukon.
8 IntroductIon

Living walls are amazingly versatile and can be planted in is fascinated with the gardens on my walls; they want their
virtually any location outdoors that offers even the slightest own wall garden, and they also want to learn how it might
direct or indirect light exposure. Did you know that you can help them make a difference. My daughters have loved the
grow vegetables in the shade? In this book you will find lists vertical wall gardens, and in turn, the gardens have become
of shade and sun plants that you can choose from to have educational tools to help my children find their health, learn
the best success with your particular living wall situation. to enjoy nature by getting their hands dirty planting, and
One of the most rewarding and fantastic benefits of learn about the environmental impact of things such as
having a living wall at home is the reaction from your pollinators. Simply by having a living wall, you are creating
friends and family. Every friend who comes to visit my yard an educational tool that has an impact on others.
Easy Sustainable Choices

Living walls have a great impact because they also serve a There are many reasons why living walls can be a
higher sustainable purpose for you and the environment. sustainable part of your familys environment. When we
Doing things that are good for the planet is far more than a grow plants of any kind, we are restricted by the hardiness
trend; it is the heart and soul of a community. In modern- zone issue. For example, some plants, such as tropicals,
day media and advertising, deceptive greenwashing dont do well in cooler regions. But when you plant a living
campaigns have caused a lot of confusion about what we wall garden, you are tapping into the warmth of the wall.
can do sustainably as individuals to make a difference for This can raise your gardens climactic conditions a few
ourselves and the environment. Grand life changes with degrees, which could be all it takes for you to be able to
giant projects attached to them are lovely and all, but grow new varieties of plants or even extend your growing
theyre usually not practical for most of us. How can we season. Wall growing also can have a heat-reducing effect
make a difference for our communities at a level that is inside the home by limiting direct sun exposure and heat
practical and easier to accomplish? I want everyone to feel absorption. And there are many more environmentally
that they can do something good for themselves and their friendly reasons to grow a living wall, such as air quality
neighbors within their daily lives. This book focuses on improvement, noise mitigation, health considerations,
how we can create practical, sustainable, purposeful, and energy efficiency, and a connection with nature.
manageable gardens in small spaces.
With paint and upcycled materials,

an urban living wall can be a bold
and colorful statement on an unused
and underappreciated wall. Danielle
Wieland of www.stacykfloral.com
How To MAKE A DIFFERENCE wITH A LIVING wALL 9

TEXT DTP:160 Page:9
every season I tour all around the country, educating very little space and a lack of garden know-how? or How
communities on how to garden. This purposeful living can I make a difference with a garden? This book is meant
wall book idea was inspired by the repeated and pointed to address these issues as well as discuss the reason to
questions I receive from attendees at my speaking events. start gardening in the first place: because a garden is always
Without fail, I get the very same questions over and over: certainly more than just a garden.
How do I grow a healthy garden for my family when I have
Why should everyone Garden?

I think everyone on the planet should grow a garden. Therapeutic gardening, and spending time outdoors
Whether its a living wall, a raised garden, or an in-ground in general, improves depression and overall health.
garden, a garden has benefits that can be significant and Growing organic food can reduce a familys
important to you as an individual and to your community. chemical consumption.
Gardens improve air quality.
Gardening is fun. Gardens help the health of our bees and pollinators
Vegetable and herb gardening can save your family by providing a food and housing source for them.
money and provide food for local food pantries. Building a garden can improve the heat island effect
Gardens of all kinds improve the value of your home in urban areas, reducing the citys heat off put.
and property. Saving energy is possible by wall gardening; it reduces
Landscaping and gardens can reduce crime. home energy use.
Boring brick walls in urban areas can be improved by adding

living walls. Dull, unattractive neighborhoods in heavy urban areas
often have blank brick walls just waiting for a living wall to be placed.
Sharing a garden, whether it be edible or tropical or anything in
between, is sharing hope for the future with your community.
Building a beautiful setting with a living wall can increase

home value and reduce crime in urban communities. This display
garden at Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois,
demonstrates the experience of a living wall when enhanced with
flower container displays.
10 IntroductIon

TEXT DTP:160 Page:10
Vertical gardens can be found on walls,
gates, and even doors (or even indoors, for
that matter). This living door at Longwood
Gardens Conservatory in Kennett Square,
Pennsylvania, is filled with tillandsia. These
low-maintenance air plants give the door an
intriguing fantasy aspect.
How to MAKE A dIFFErEncE wItH A LIVInG wALL 11

Living walls are a marvelous
way to grow more culinary herbs
and foods in less space, thereby
creating a small-space solution
that can make a big difference.
This living wall at the Chicago
Botanic Garden in Illinois is filled
with herbs.
Why Living Walls?

An important subset of traditional gardening, living walls
can be grown in very narrow and small spaces because Why do I Garden?
they grow upward (or downward in some cases). I first learned that gardening has many health and envi-
Therefore, it is possible to have a smaller footprint, ronmental benefits during the year I left my fancy-pants
but a significantly larger yield. This offers an answer to corporate job and started doing landscape design for
anyone who is concerned that she or he has no space to a living. I spent that summer outdoors in the sunshine
grow: if you have a wall, you have a space. Vertical wall building gardens of all sorts. Without a doubt, every day
space can be found in heavily urban areas, in traditional I came home sore and tired but happy as a clam. At the
suburban neighborhoods, and in the country on fences, beginning of that summer, I took over a dozen prescriptions
garages, gates, and barns. That small vertical space can per day trying to cope with all of my allergies, year-round
be available whether you are a renter or homeowner, bronchitis, and stress-related health issues. By the end
professional gardener, or someone who has never of my first summer gardening, I had gone down to two
gardened before. prescriptions per day and felt like a million bucks. The time
Living walls offer a remarkable, practical small-space I spent growing became a truly life-changing experience for
solution no matter where you choose to grow vertically. me personally and spurred me to consider social good as an
Whether it be on a fence, on a gate or door, on a wall, or integral part of the growing experience.
on a balcony, living walls can be an astounding solution for This change in my health was the result of spending
a family seeking a healthier and greener lifestyle. Living time outside touching nature and working to make my life
walls that are purposeful as well as beautiful contribute to as chemical-free as possible, while living a practical urban
your lifestyle in a positive way. lifestyle with my family. Growing and eating foods that
contain fewer chemicals was an important step toward
better health for me. The simple act of planting and
growing in any situation can be mind-freeing and help all
aspects of your physical health. Gardening is fun, and being
outside touching plants in a nurturing way is a part of that
pleasurable experience.
12 IntroductIon

About this Book
each vertical garden chapter in this book addresses a need Save energy with a living wall, as it insulates walls and
or a purpose that helps you or the environment. Below is a helps cancel noise.
list of ideas that will be covered in the book, which all offer Save water by using a vertical wall garden as a beautiful,
very practical, purposeful, and easy-growing concepts: drought-tolerant growing solution.
Use vertical gardens in urban areas as a tool to increase air
Build a pollinator feeding station to help save the bees. quality near windows and entrances.
Create a nurturing and therapeutic garden that
promotes healing. Growing a living wall is more than growing living art;
it can make a difference for you and your family. These
Grow vegetables in shade or sun that have high vitamin
and nutrition content. weed-free, small-space gardens have an exceptional amount
of personality and usefulness. Growing a sustainable and
Recycle and reuse items such as a pallet or an old
healthy living wall is easy to do with far-reaching, practical
bookshelf to make a vertical garden.
returns for all who try the technique. Use this book as a
Use living walls as an herbal resource for cocktail and
how-to that will introduce you to the fun and joy of growing
culinary uses.
a living wall.
Vertical gardens can be artistic as well

as useful. This lovely living wall garden
is situated on an urban home patio as a
way to beautify the wall and add a unique
contribution to the outdoor room design.

Living walls have become a fantastic
solution for public spaces, offering
more oxygenated air and green space
than an area that is gardened with a flat
perspective. Photo courtesy of Copley
Wolff Design Group and photographer
Luke ONeill
While most living walls are tightly

planted so that more plants grow in
a small space, some living walls are
designed simply for beauty. This wall
at Xel-Ha Eco-Park in Mexico is a
living wall with the plants floating at
wider intervals. It demonstrates that
understatement and simplicity can be an
intricate part of a beautiful display.
14 IntroductIon

In her garden near Atlantic City,
New Jersey, Liz Donaghy has created an
artistic herb garden masterpiece right
outside the back door. She combines a
wall garden with a raised bed in a small-
space area that grows an abundance of
culinary delights.
Side yards can be used as intensive

growing areas where large quantities of
herbs, vegetables, and pollinator plants
can be grown in a narrow space area.
These gardens, which grow in seemingly
boring areas of our properties, can
become attractive as well as useful.

Many different types of systems
and containers can be used to support
a living wall garden design. Here is a
gorgeous wall of flowering orchids at
the Longwood Gardens Conservatory in
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Living walls vary from full-wall

infrastructures to structurally simple
and utilitarian, as in the case of this
childrens wall garden at the Brookfield
Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois.
Outdoor kitchens have become all the

rage in many parts of the world. Growing
living walls both for embellishment
purposes and for providing herbs and
other culinary treats can improve
property value. Plant Connection, Inc.
16 IntroductIon

Growing a combination of herbs and
vegetables together in a living wall feeds
the family and is an edible delight to the
eye, particularly when planted on an
unattractive fence.
Have a dull, underappreciated area

on your back balcony or patio that
needs spicing up? Colorful flowers on
a vertical living wall are a fantastic way
to add a natural spark of sunshine.

Foliage plants can make remarkably
colorful additions to a living wall
garden. Various types of begonia,
coleus, and tropical plants can be
combined for a spectacular display as
seen here at Ball Horticultural Company
in West Chicago, Illinois.
This growing fence at the Chicago

Botanic Garden is a living wall formed
from various drought-tolerant sedums.
It brings color as well as structure to a
busy pathway.
18 IntroductIon

Incorporating vertical wall systems into an ornamental edible While most living walls are attached to large structures, some
garden can help you grow more edibles and also add interest to living walls, such as this planted arbor wall, can be added as the
the garden. This vegetable and edible flower view was discovered perfect miniature kitchen herb garden. Plant Connection, Inc.
at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Growing massive numbers of plants in a smaller area can

bring a lot of happiness to your locality. Living walls can improve
health, reduce crime, feed the hungry, beautify a community, and
support pollinators. Building a living wall can provide a solution
for gardening in extremely small spaces that can truly make a
difference for your neighborhood and the world.

Finding the right living wall
system to fit your unique planting
requirements will help you
succeed at growing. This vista
shows a shady, damp side yard
filled with fern and moss living
walls built for the local growing
conditions. Learn how to grow a
living wall before it is installed for
the best success!

PA R t I
T o C r E aT E
how
waLL S
InG
LIV
GETTING STArTED ON GrOWING your first living wall is

amazingly easy. Living wall gardens have a lot of the same
needs as traditional container gardens. Therefore, suc-
ceeding with a living wall or vertical garden is as simple
as choosing the right container, the right location, and the
right plants. Having the ability to plant thirty-five to forty
plants in an area that is less than 2 square feet offers an
astounding amount of garden ideas for small space or
urban growers.
Throughout this book you will see twenty-three
complete living walls presented as individual gardening
projects. each wall is designed for a unique and specific
purpose that goes beyond simply being beautiful. For
example, one design will help you save energy by insulating
walls and blocking heat. other gardens are created
to generate large quantities of food for you and your
community. Versatility and practicality are two hallmarks of
the living wall, and knowing why you want to grow a garden
and for what purpose is as important as selecting the right
system and plants.
Before we get to these creative designs, the following
section will introduce you to the basic tools, materials,
techniques, and know-how that youll need for any living
wall project, regardless of its purpose or unique properties.
youll find the information in the following six sections:
Which Living Wall System Is Right for You?

Tools That Help
Getting Started
Watering the Living Wall
Soil and Compost
Choosing and Obtaining Plants for Your Living Wall
21

WhICh LIVING WALL systeM
Is RIGht FOR yOu?
THErE ArE MANY TYPES of living wall systems that you can utilize, and it is important to discover the living wall system that
is right for you, your family, and your community. Several of these are plug-and-play products that are easily assembled;
others are more homemade and are customized to your own wishes and standards. Choosing which type of system is best for
you should be based on the size of the area where you plan to plant, the types of plants you are interested in, and the varying
types of walls you have access to.
For many years, the term green wall meant that the Typically, there are four styles of living wall systems that
roots of the plants existed in a soilless product of some kind, are suitable for exterior living walls: mat systems, block
which was then hung on either an exterior or interior wall. systems, loose-medium systems, and homemade systems. No
In recent years, this definition has changed and expanded as matter which style of living wall you choose, each can have a
more systems and units have come out for varying purposes. self-watering arrangement incorporated into it. This means
Living wall or green wall can be defined simply as a wall of fewer watering concerns and more ease of maintenance.
plants with various types of soilless or soil-filled products Mat-style systems are most frequently made from felt
supporting it. mats, coir fiber, or a rock substrate, much like the units
Building a system for a living wall can be as simple as putting

two nails in the wall and hanging a premade container, such as
these lengths of gutter trough. Creating your own living wall from
upcycled materials is one of the great joys of living wall gardening.
Choosing which living wall concept is best for you is determined by
the time and effort you would like to put into the project.
Hanging pocket systems have wool-like pockets sometimes

made from recycled plastic. Finding a system that offers the
potential to be beautiful and sustainable might be a smart choice
for your family.
22 PArt I: How to crEAtE LIVInG wALLs

Discovering the best system for your particular Framed living wall units are often smaller but serve as an excellent small-space
living wall can make the difference between success living wall for balconies or patios where space is an issue.
and failure for your vertical garden. For your needs, a
standalone, manufactured system could be the answer.
used in the Freestanding Entrance Garden or the Pollinator principle systems featured in each project. They are built
Garden projects. Some, such as the Pollinator Garden, are for installations that are less than 10 feet tall and have
exclusively hydroponic. Rooted plants are inserted into the soil as the major base component for planting. Window
system and most typically grow directly into the matting, box systems, pocket systems, bag systems, bracket-hung
which makes it a system that is less dependent on soil and framed art pockets, and container-on-the-wall systems are
more dependent on proper watering with organic fertilizer all variations on the loose-medium concept. Loose-medium
added to the water to help support the root structure. systems must have their soil/growing medium replaced
If left up too long, the mat system can become clogged once a season. Refreshing the soil is typically done in the
with roots, which prevents proper watering, so the system early spring for most garden zones, particularly areas that
should be refreshed regularly. Mat systems are best suited have extreme winter garden weather. This enables the
for installations that are smaller than 10 feet tall and wide young plants to get a fresh start with clean rooting material.
in order to have easy access to repair planting pockets. Additional systems include homemade soilless
Block systems are highly structural. They are often concepts, such as the Moss and Shade Wall Art projecta
shaped like bricks or blocks and sometimes combine soil do-it-yourself art concept that has no soil requirement
and coir or other fiber into a heavy-duty planting brick. They whatsoever. Additionally, soil-filled bottles, jars, pallets,
are tough systems that can last up to fifteen years after bookshelves, and other repurposed items can be reused to
theyre installed. They are easy to replace for maintenance make a living wall unit.
concerns. Block systems are the best choice in areas where Most living wall systems must be hung on a gate, fence,
earthquakes and seismic activity exist, because they build or wall. However, several of the living walls discussed in
a more stable living wall. Many industrial living walls are this book can be installed as standalone structures, yet
created with block systems and, generally, they are less are still classified as vertical systems because they are
suitable for home use. The planting details of this particular vertical standing container units that function as a wall unit.
system are not covered in this book due to its more Apartment dwellers with small balconies or renters with tiny
industrial nature. patios might consider the standalone systems for occasions
Loose-medium systems are the best solution for the where they do not want to or are not allowed to drill into
everyday homeowner or community garden and are the the walls or fences of their building property.
wHIcH LIVInG wALL systEM Is rIGHt For you? 23

types of systems
In this book, we demonstrate how to use several varieties of planting systems. Here is a list of the basic living wall unit styles.
Felt Wrap Living Wall. This system involves wrapping a plants can be planted in the soil pockets directly. Watering is unique
rootball with a felt-like wrapper. The wrapper encloses the root as it is important to water the back tongue of the wall pocket
system and enables you to insert it into the larger supportive at the top of each pocket entrance so that the fiber is thor-
system that hangs on a wall. The back of the living wall is made oughly moistened.
of plastic, so the wall is less likely to become damaged from Bracket-Hung Framed Art Walls. Increasingly popular as a
water exposure. Each felt-wrapped plant can be pulled out and small-area solution, bracket-hung framed art pockets are
replaced for easy maintenance. really single polymer units that hold enough plants to build a
Hydroponic Soilless System. This system is made from a BioTile, small garden. With an artistic-looking frame, these units look
which is an independent rock fiber system that enables the great outside or in rooms that feature plant solutions. each
gardener to grow the plants placed in the tile in a solely hydro- planting pocket area is lined with a moisture-holding felt mat.
ponic fashion. An advantage of the system is the flat growing Fill the pocket area with soil, then water from the top.
surface against the wall, which makes artistic planting designs Modular Planter and Bracket Systems. Most garden centers
appear to be a part of the wall. and nurseries will stock some kind of planter and bracket
Window Box Living Wall. Window box living walls are just what system. The brackets are often track style and attach directly
they sound like: window box planting containers that have been to your wall. The planter units hang from the tracks and can be
stacked one on top of the other to create a planting system. moved around in any arrangement that suits you.
These systems are remarkably easy to use because they can be DIY Living Wall Units. DIy living wall units are truly a mix of
handled like a traditional container garden and they only take upcycled and reused products: old Mason jars, pallets, metal art
up between 1 to 2 square feet of floor space. They can be hung pieces, planting cones or containers, bookshelves, and any other
on the wall, fence, or gate, or used as a standalone living wall. A repurposed items. you are only limited by your imagination.
perfect solution for urban areas and small-space gardening. These units are built with a creative eye and passionate heart
Planting Pocket Systems. Pocket systems are usually made by reusing an old item and transforming it into something new.
of a felt or fiber. Some have been made from recycled water Most DIy units are a soil-based concept, so they need the same
bottles. Their pockets hold the soil and either seeds or plants maintenance as a traditional garden container might.
Wall strength
Whether you make your own system or purchase a prebuilt Additional concerns for wall strength include watering
or structured living wall system for your own special techniques on the wall unit. If, for example, you have hose
vertical garden, your most important consideration should access and you regularly soak both the living wall system
be the structural integrity of the wall, fence, gate, or door and wall with water from the hose, will it weaken the wall
that will support your vertical garden. Fences, for example, structure? If the fence or wall is built for outdoor conditions,
should be permanently installed with sturdy fence posts then chances are it will be fine for system placement. Do
that are set in concrete to ensure that the fence will not tip not place a unit on plain drywall or any wall material thats
from the heavy weight. Walls should be structurally sound weak and can rot or become further weakened by watering
and be able to withstand hundreds of waterings and other conditions. This will likely end in failure of the garden, wall,
outdoor issues. or both.
Most fences and exterior walls can easily support fifty Dwight D. eisenhower once said, Plans are nothing,
to one hundred pounds of weight spread out over a 10-foot planning is everything. Indeed, this is particularly true with
area. This does not mean that all walls can support the living wall structures and systems. Having a basic living wall
heavier weight of a soil-filled living wall. If you intend to system might seem to be a lovely idea and easy enough to
install a large living wall installation, it is always a good idea assemble, but understanding the basic structure of the wall
to first consult a structural engineer to help you determine if can help you plan a long-term living wall solution that is safe,
the structure is adequate for the task. beautiful, and long lasting.

Building your own living wall
system by utilizing found objects
or unusual planting containers
can save you money and create
opportunities for artistic ingenuity.
wHIcH LIVInG wALL systEM Is rIGHt For you? 25

tOOLs thAt heLP
MOST TOOLS NEEDED FOr installation of the living walls included within this book are basic and simple to use. All living walls
need to be hung evenly, so using a tape measure and a level for the initial wall placement is essential. Additional tools needed
to install most of the units include a drill/driver for drilling holes and driving screws, a hammer, a pencil for marking the wall,
and a ladder. Measure twice before drilling or hammering, as rehanging a vertical wall system is far more challenging than
hanging it correctly the first time.
Living Wall Gardening tools

In planting and designing the gardens, I discovered a few but I find them to be great time savers and they let me
items that I consistently used when designing gardens that work cleaner.
helped me plant and maintain the vertical wall gardens. Standard trowelWhen planting in very narrow areas, a
These tools make it easier to work with living walls. See standard trowel can work well. It is also good for digging
Resources, page 152. out old plants for replacement. If you dont own a potting
A potting scoop is a type of hand trowel that is designed scoop, the standard trowel is the tool to use for many of
specifically for working in small containers. They have your container gardening chores.
a blunt tip, rather than the typical pointed tip, which Weeder and cultivatorWhy would you need a weeding
minimizes spillage when youre transferring soil from a tool for a living wall? They have no weeds, right? Because
bag to the compact environment of a container. The high a trim, hook-style cultivator enables a gardener to get into
sidewalls also help reduce spillage. The blunt end makes it the wall planting container, pop a plant out, and replace it
easier to scrape out last years soil from the container too. very easily. A traditional trowel does not do that effectively.
A scoop isnt essential to living wall or container gardening, Additionally, it makes planting seeds easier, as the sharp
When building a living wall on a balcony or

patio, you do not want soil spills to muddy up the
area. Using a trowel that contains the soil well as
you deliver it to the living wall system is a smart
idea as it creates less mess for easy cleanup.
While the CobraHead tool is mostly used for weeding in a traditional garden, I have
found it remarkably helpful in digging trenches, hooking and pulling out old soil, and
helping create space in living wall pockets. Photo courtesy of the CobraHead Company

Using pruners and scissors made from
materials such as stainless steel enables you to
trim and prune the living wall and not have them
rust throughout the lifetime of the tool. Bold-
colored handles prevent pruner loss, which can
be inconvenient and even dangerous.
heads found on some weeding tools dig perfect rows in soil force of the water with your thumb. When you use a tradi-
pockets. tional garden hose without a rain wand, the force of the
Bypass prunerI use the bypass pruner to clean browning water stream can push the soil out of the living wall. By
leaves and sticks off the living walls. Sometimes a little using a wand, the water comes out gently yet thoroughly
shaping of the plants on the wall with the pruner or waters all the various types of wall units. Definitely an
even a small pair of scissors makes an enormous differ- important tool if youll be using a garden hose to deliver
ence in cleanness and beauty. over the years Ive found water to your living wall.
that smaller cutting and trimming tools are very easy to Drinking-safe garden hoseIf you have access to a garden
misplace as they can slip into the weeds and hide easily. hose, it should be a drinking-safe water hose. Many garden
Thats why I look for models that have brightly colored hoses contain lead and other toxic ingredients. With this
handles that make them easier to spot. in mind, why would you water your organic garden with a
Rain wandA rain wand is a hose attachment that hose that has the risk of toxic exposure? Use a drinking-safe
enables you to water one-handed while controlling the garden hose for a healthier gardening experience.
tooLs tHAt HELP 27

Rain wands (also called watering wands)
distribute water evenly and gently to your
delicate living wall. Plug the watering wand
into a drinking-safe hose for extra safety
during the watering season.
Row markersDepending on the living wall system you are using, you
may or may not want to plant seeds. When you plant seeds, it can be
important to make straight rows depending on your planting plan. row
markers help make straight lines. Simply place the row marker dibber
in the soil on each side of your planting area and tie a string to them. Use
the string as a guide to plant a straight line.
Seed storage unitTheyre not just for living wall gardens, but Ive
found that having a dedicated place to store your seeds is a very helpful
resource for any gardener. I use a nifty little storage box I found online.
Row markers help with planting seeds and small
It allows you to sort, categorize, and store the seeds so you do not
seedlings in nice straight rows, which can have an
lose them. This can be quite valuable, particularly if you are a part of a
impact on the success of your living wall design.
community garden where everyone needs to keep track of where they
are and the specific expiration dates for the seeds.
Watering canMy favorite watering can is an old metal one I found at
a vintage thrift shop. What type of watering can is not critical, but youll
find enough choices out there that its worth finding one you like. This
is especially true if your living wall is located on an apartment balcony
where you may not have a garden hose available. Make sure your
watering can is small enough to fit easily under your water source and to
lift overhead without spilling when watering a high hanging garden.

GettING stARted
GArDENING, WHETHEr IT IS done in the ground, in a container, or on the wall, is a surprisingly rewarding experience. There
is something beautiful and astounding that happens when you finally realize success with a plant. While most people assume
that the astounding thing that happens is an emotional reaction based on pride, I say it is also the powerful connection that
you have with a plant that you have nurtured and loved. Knowing that the plants you are growing are contributing to the
health and welfare of your family and your community is also a powerful motivator to garden.
Living walls offer something particularly unique perspective. When you are faced with a medium-to-large
because of the striking visual effect produced by an wall installation, your entire body feels enveloped in the
upright wall. As we walk through our gardens, we spend garden. Its like a hug from nature to sit next to a beautiful
much of our time looking down at the ground and noticing wall garden and absorb the sights and smells. Living walls
the paths, the plants, and the color. Yet raising your help connect you with plants in a way that can only be
eyes upward can have a powerful effect from a design described as immersion.
sun Requirements
once you have chosen the best system, youll need to with little or no sunlight, but they like indirect light or no
take into account the light conditions available in order to light whatsoever. Watch the sun conditions on your site to
obtain plants that will thrive in your growing conditions. determine the best plant for the specific sun and growing
each balcony, patio, or property has unique sun conditions. conditions you have.
Choosing a site for a living wall means you must consider the By mixing shade plants with full sun plants, you might be
sun in order to place plants in a successful location. Whether creating a situation that will encourage failure. Try planting
you are growing annuals, herbs, vegetables, or perennials, all the sun-loving plants in one living wall garden that
you must understand garden light exposure for the living receives a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day. Shade
wall. Typically, most balconies, fences, and entryways are in plants should be planted in a shady area, grouping the plants
partial shade. occasionally sun will hit these areas directly with similar light and watering requirements together in
for most of the day, particularly if you have a southern order to achieve success. Designing with light exposure in
exposure or no other buildings nearby. Full-sun plants need mind can save you a tremendous amount of money as well
approximately six hours of direct sunlight per day. Part- because you will have to water a living wall less if it is placed
sun plants will prefer filtered light during the day but still in the right position.
require four hours of sunlight per day. Shade plants can live
Chemical use
There is absolutely no need to use heavy treatment of finding the quickest, easiest solution before finding the
chemicals with a living wall system. Many gardeners around best and healthiest solution. Sometimes the healthier
the world reach for the chemical fertilizers, pesticides, solution takes a few extra steps.
fungicides, or herbicides first. In the United States, the In the circle of chemical use, there is good news if you
home and garden market spends almost as much money grow a vertical garden. Living walls do not need herbicides
billions of dollarson pesticides as the agricultural industry. of any kind; in fact, they rarely have a weed to pull. When
Perhaps the reason for this is the give me a pill mentality considering the use of pesticides, fungicides, or fertilizers,
GEttInG stArtEd 29

Like all gardens, living walls start
with active plants. They have a root
system that needs to be cared for
in order to grow and evolve into a
larger plant.
go all-natural and organic whenever possible. When

considering any application on a plant, be sure that you
Climate (and Microclimate) are treating the right thing. Pests, diseases, or improper
planting could be the issue, and it is important for you to
Living walls can sometimes create warmer patches called discover and treat the correct problem rather than use a
microclimates. These areas form on walls that receive a random application and slam the plant with a solution that
south sun directly all day long; this heats up the wall, making will not work.
a living wall a place where some plants can survive, even Creating an environment within your vertical garden
though they might not grow in the ground successfully. that builds a thriving and beautiful living wall starts with
Additional considerations for living walls include an areas having the correct soil for the plants you are growing,
wind, humidity, and soil conditions. With good planning and then planting the right plant in the right location so
a thorough knowledge of a plants needs, one can purpose- that it receives the proper sunlight and environmental
fully create microclimates in order to expand the variety of conditions to succeed. your goal is to build a healthy
plants you can grow in a season. Understanding plant zones community, not just a healthy living wall, and that success
and growth conditions can mean the difference between comes by creating a healthy foundation for the plants
failure and success, particularly for vegetables. roots to grow in.

WAteRING the LIVING WALL
THErE ArE SEVErAL OPTIONS for watering a living wall. While rainfall can have an influence on a living wall, particularly
one that stands out a bit from the wall, such as a window box style of garden, you will be required to water the unit yourself
and not depend on rainfall. Mostly, the best technique for watering your living wall is determined by which wall system youve
chosen. Every two weeks, for instance, you should pull down the Sagewall system, which is the hydroponic system I used for
the Hydroponic Pollinator Garden (see page 73) and soak it in water. Most all the other units need to be top- or front-watered,
either with an automatic watering system or by hand, whenever they need it.
Planting your living wall units with plants that have

similar watering requirements is as important as grouping
plants based on sunlight requirements. Cactus and succulent
plants need far less watering than other plants. Vegetables
typically need to be watered more often. The rule of thumb
is to water based upon the needs of the plants within the
living wall unit. On average, let your living wall units dry
out between watering just as you would a more traditional
container garden. How often you are actually required to
water is an individual living wall experience. Typically it is
better to water your plants deeply two to three times per
week rather than giving them shallow sips every day.
Garden-hose watering systems may contain toxic
materials. A recent study in Michigan has shown that many
garden hoses contain lead that exceeds the safety level Whether you hand water with a watering
for children. Garden hose water quality was also tested wand or use a special automated irrigation
and shown to contained bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates system (bottom photo), watering your
that were twenty times higher than safe drinking-water living wall is key to its success.
levels. Rain barrels can provide a fresher, less chemical-
loaded source of water for your living walls. Another
benefit of using rainwater is reducing the strain on storm
water systems. Storm-water runoff is the leading type of
residential nonpoint source pollution and is a large concern
for those monitoring our earths oceans and water systems.
Water from your roof normally flows through gutter
downspouts and becomes runoff, eventually washing onto
paved surfaces collecting chemicals and oil from cars and
funneling down storm drains. Storm-water systems around
the world are overtaxed. Doing your small part can make a
big difference for the environment.
Another important consideration when watering
is making sure that you water at the right time of day. the soil for a longer period of time without drying out. Water
Watering your living wall in the morning before 10:00 a.m. at the base of the plants whenever possible, avoiding heavy
or in the evening after 6:00 p.m. ensures that water stays in leaf watering to prevent fungus and mildew issues.
wAtErInG tHE LIVInG wALL 31

sOIL ANd COMPOst
WHETHEr GArDENING IN THE ground, in a container, or in a living wall, getting nutritional material to a plants root system
is the secret to success. While some systems are hydroponic, the majority of the units discussed in this book require soil. Good
soil is the most important ingredient in your living wall system, because if roots are healthy, then the stem and rest of the plant
will also be healthy.
Because living walls are frequently raised up and exposed benefit of increasing complicated microbial growth within
to wind and air, they will dry out faster than traditional the soil around the roots. Yard clippings and food scraps
container gardens, which can mean you have to water make up one quarter of the United States solid waste
more. While growing the typical annuals, vegetables, and in landfills and produce methane, a greenhouse gas,
perennials, you will need a soil that is less airy and a bit as they decompose. Composting and making your own
heavier to help it have stronger water retention. you can worm castings in a kitchen worm-casting bin will help
increase the weight of your soil so that it will hold more the environment as well as your living wall. Do not add
water by mixing traditional potting soil with other natural noncertified organic water crystals made from chemical
ingredients or by making your own soil. These ingredients polymers or artificial fertilizers to your soil mixes, and always
include compost and worm castings. Both have the added grow with few or no chemicals whenever you can.
Making your own compost from leaves

or kitchen waste is a terrific way to save
money and contribute something amazing
to a living wall root system. See pages 149 to
151 for more information on composting.

Homemade Soil Recipes
Several homemade soil mix combinations are compat-
ible with the living wall gardens in this book. If youre
using potting soil, choose an organic product brand that
includes worm castings as part of the ingredient list. If you
cannot find an organic soil with worm castings, add a cup
or two of worm castings directly to your soil mix if you are
able; it is a great way to retain moisture. Each of these
recipes can be mixed in a large bucket or wheelbarrow.
See Resources, page 152.
eaSieSt Standard Living WaLL SoiL mix

1 part organic potting soil with worm castings
1 part organic rotted composted manure or plain compost Using organic soil whenever possible ensures that what you
1 part course builders sand grow will have an organic and all-natural foundation, especially
important when growing vegetables and herbs or pollinator plants,
Homemade Standard Living WaLL SoiL mix
for example.
2 parts compost
1 part presoaked coir peat
1 part vermiculite
1 to 2 cups worm castings
CaCtuS and SuCCuLent Living WaLL SoiL mix

1 part perlite
1 part course builders sand
extremeLy Water retentive Living WaLL SoiL mix

(needs strong drainage)
1 part organic rotted composted manure
1 part plain compost
Adding the best soil mix to the living wall system will help
the roots of the plants adapt and grow more readily, building a
successful foundation for your plants.
Soil and CompoSt 33

Worm castings for garden soil are easy to produce using a worm Bloodmeal is a fine example of a natural fertilizer; it is filled with
compost bin. You can also purchase bagged organic worm castings nitrogen and is good for most leafy plants root systems. Follow
if you prefer. Mix worm castings into almost any soil mixture to directions on the package when using any fertilizer.
increase moisture retention. See pages 149 to 151.
Natural Fertilizers
Living walls are essentially container gardens and, while
organic fertilizer is not absolutely needed to grow a plant,
the plant normally becomes stronger and more productive
if fertilized organically and on a regular basis. Also, vegeta-
bles are more likely to need an organic fertilizer than other
plants. When a slow-release fertilizer is added at planting
time it has been proven that vegetables are more likely to
succeed and produce more. For example, the University of
Maryland did a research study on pepper production and
doubled production by mixing slow-release fertilizer in at
planting time. Vegetables can be lightly fertilized with an
To make your own compost tea, simply mix composted manure organic product every two to three weeks throughout the
with water or soak compost tea bags. Add the tea to enrich the primary growing season. Compost tea can be added regu-
plants at watering time. larly at watering time.
one note, however: using any fertilizer when it is not
necessary will not improve the condition of your plants and
could simply cause a misbalance in the living wall system.
Before you apply fertilizer, always ask the question, Do I
really need to add this?

ChOOsING ANd OBtAINING PLANts
FOR yOuR LIVING WALL
Choosing plants at the nursery can

be a daunting experience. It helps
if you build a suitable list of plants
based on the growing conditions
for your living wall.
WHAT TYPES OF PLANTS should you use in your living wall? That answer can best be determined once you understand the
gardening conditions where you are growing.
What planting zone do you live in? How much light does the wall area where youll be planting your living wall get? If it
receives part-shade instead of sun, then it will be possible to plant vegetables, but you might want to consider the vegetables
that perform better in shade.
Much like traditional gardens, living wall gardens in cooler Depending on your lifestyle and schedule, you may
planting zones should not be planted until after the last frost choose to purchase pregrown vegetables or bedding plants,
in the spring. Its important to research your local growing houseplants, or perennials; or, you may prefer to grow
area to better understand when to plant, particularly if you your own from seed. When making purchases of these
are a new gardener. Consulting with a horticulturist at a types of products, consider buying from local sources.
nearby locally owned garden center or a college agricultural When a bedding plant is grown locally you will be saving in
extension office can help you make wise plant selections. energy miles, which is the amount of energy expended
cHoosInG And obtAInInG PLAnts For your LIVInG wALL 35

in relationship to the production, storage, and delivery colony collapse disorder as a result of the neonicotinoid
processes for products such as plants. exposure. Ask local garden centers if they use
Another concern when purchasing plants from neonicotinoids in the growing of their plants. If they do use
nurseries is neonicotinoids. They are a class of insecticides the chemical, do not shop at that garden center and find
that are very similar to nicotine and have been known one that uses fewer chemicals in their growing process.
to show toxicity in mammals, birds, and insects. These Think green, then buy local and chemical-free at every
chemicals have far-ranging and adverse effects on our opportunity to save energy and pollinating insects and to
ecology worldwide. Many good insects are being affected, do the right thing for the environment.
including honey bees, which seem to be experiencing
Plants from seed

Why grow from seed? The most obvious answer to that
question is that you cannot get some plant varieties in
vegetative form. If you want to grow some heirloom types
of vegetables, for instance, you will need to source those
seeds from a seed company. Another wonderful benefit
of growing your own plants from seed is that you can
determine how much chemical exposure each plant gets.
Seed starting is quite easy and a great way to save
money as well. Starting seeds can be done inside four to
six weeks before planting or outside, sown directly into the
soil. If starting your seeds inside, you need a sunny window
or growing lights above the seedlings. Follow the specific
directions on the package for seed treatment.
Use an organic commercial seed-starting soil mix that
focuses on organic plant growth. There are dozens of seed-
starting kits on the market that are easy to use. Moisten
Growing your own seedlings is a good way to save money and
the soil mix, fill the potting cells, and place a single
be more sustainable as it allows you to control if the seedlings
preprepared seed in each cell of a seed tray according to
are grown organically or not. Starting seeds is quite easy and a
seed packet directions. Keep moist until germination, then
rewarding experience.
water regularly. Use organic liquid fertilizer or compost tea
to improve growth.
About two weeks to ten days before your official planting necessary, gradually exposing the seedlings to stronger
date, bring the trays of seedlings outside in a shady area outdoor conditions. once the plants have hardened off, it is
that is out of direct, hot sunlight or drying wind. Protect time to plant them in your living wall. It is important to wait
from cold temperatures by moving in and out at night if until danger of frost has passed.
Growing Annuals and tropical houseplants

An annual is a plant that germinates from a seed, grows, obvious benefit to the environment other than the nonstop
flowers, and dies, experiencing its entire life cycle in one blooms they bring to your garden.
growing season. They are often the most colorful and florific Tropical houseplants are often used for living wall
flowers in the garden, which gives gardeners a sense of gardens because they offer extreme versatility in texture and
instant gratification. Many annuals flower all season long foliage color, with many vining varieties. Because tropical
and have fascinating shades and textures. There are annual houseplants do not overwinter outside well in most regions,
plants that are colorful, scented, and attractive to pollinators it is best to treat the tropical houseplant as if it were an
or beneficial wildlife. However, there are many annuals annualonly growing one life cycle in a season. It is easy to
that seem to have no pollinator attraction, no scent, and no pop a houseplant out, repot it, and save it for next seasons

Rootbound plants are plants that have an
overgrown root system within their pots
when purchased at the nursery or garden
center. Bring the plants home and gently
tease the roots loose so they will expand into
the soil.
living wall display if you would like to keep the houseplant

love going year-round.
My garden has a significant display of annuals I consider
dual-duty plants. Herbs such as oregano, cilantro, and
globe basil help encourage bees, who love their scented
flowers. Besides functioning simply as a beautifying tool in
the garden, ornamental herb and vegetable edibles such
as Swiss chard, kale, Bulls Blood beets, and purple basil
can help feed your community. Many annual flowers such
as nasturtium, pansy, mint, snapdragon, and marigold
are edible and make an astounding addition to a salad.
Culinary uses for annuals are extensive, making a strong
argument for having them in your garden. Every season
I donate over 100 pounds of fresh ornamental edible
vegetable and herb annuals to my local food pantry, and
you can too.
Like vegetables, most annuals are very heavy feeders
and can benefit from regular fertilization if you crave
larger, more florific displays. Use an organic fertilizer
recommended for flowering plants. Should you see fewer
flowers and more foliage, you will know that you may be
overfertilizing or might need stronger light exposure to
see heavier flower production.
Annuals can be both flowering varieties of plants or leafy plants.

Many foliage annuals make a powerful color statement in the living
wall garden.

Planting an herb and vegetable
living wall can help you grow more
food in a much smaller space than
in a traditional garden.
Growing Herbs and Vegetables

When I first began telling people about vegetable living Redbor, which normally grows quite tall, can stay shorter
walls, their opinion was that the gardens would be and more dwarfed. Therefore, some larger leafy greens will
unattractive because vegetables are utilitarian and practical. do very well in a living wall as they are kept confined and do
Nothing could be further from the truth. Living walls are not typically overgrow.
utterly astonishing when filled with vegetables. If planted Planting herbs and vegetables is easy; remove them from
correctly, you cannot tell they are traditional vegetables; the their cells or containers and gently tease apart the roots.
garden simply looks like a wall of beautiful garden color. Kale Place them in the amended soil and cover their roots. Water
and cabbage have amazing blue shades in their leaves, and thoroughly. Ornamental edibles are typically heavy feeders
beets and Swiss chard can have an intense burgundy color. and have heavier watering requirements. With this in mind,
Herbs, fruits, and vegetables can be perfect living wall it is beneficial to use the Extremely Water Retentive Living
ornamental edible plants, and they pair well with both Wall Soil Mix formula (see page 33) as long as the planting
annuals and perennials to bring a variety of colors to a system has excellent drainage. This mix helps retain water
vertical garden. Plant and fruit size matter when building a and also suggests rotted manure as an ingredient, which
living wall. For instance, giant indeterminate tomatoes do delivers a higher nitrogen content to the root systems.
not do as well in a living wall system as smaller herbs and Adding an organic fertilizer made for vegetables at planting
vegetables such as beets, basil, and spinach. Because living time and every several weeks will help kick up the vegetable
walls frequently have a smaller planting area, kale, such as production, particularly for leafy greens.
38 Part I: How to Create LIvIng waLLs

Growing Perennials
A perennial in a traditional bed such as a cottage garden
or English perennial border is considered a long-term Ornamental edible herbs,
investment because the plant typically returns every year in
the spring. Perennials can live for ten to twenty years and Fruits, and Vegetables
longer if cared for appropriately. They are easy to plant in a A vertical wall system featuring colorful ornamental edible
living wall; remove them from their cells or containers and vegetables is smart: the design becomes more colorful and, at
gently tease apart the roots. Place them in the amended the same time, flashy-colored vegetables typically contain a
soil and cover their roots. Water thoroughly. higher level of nutrition and vitamin value. Here is a list filled
Perennials planted in a living wall might not live through with some of my favorite colorful foliage vegetables that are
an unusually harsh winter. With this in mind, you have excellent in a living wall garden. If a type is not specified, it
two choices for perennial foliage: either pull the perennial means that most varieties offer ornamental appeal:
out at the end of the season and replant it in fall in the Anise Hyssop, Golden Jubilee
ground to insulate the plant, replanting again in the spring, Arugula Mints
or leave it in the living wall and see if you get lucky and it Basil, all purple varieties Mustard greens
overwinters into next season. Basil, globe oregano, Amethyst Falls
Perennials can be planted anytime, but they will see
Basil, Pesto Perpetuo oregano, Variegated
the most growth in a season if planted early in the spring.
Basil, Thai Ornamental cabbage
Understanding a perennial plants growth habits, watering
needs, and sun requirements is particularly important in Beet, Bulls Blood ornamental kale
the planting process so it will survive in the living wall. Cabbage Ornamental hot peppers
Planting the perennials with an organic fertilizer soil Celery Ornamental
amendment will help its roots take hold. Chives sweet potato vine
There are several design techniques I use with perennial Purple kohlrabi
Collard greens
gardens, and these concepts can be applied to wall gardens Radicchio
Endive
as well. One design idea is to put all the tall perennials
Fennel Rosemary
in the back, the medium height plants in the middle,
Kale, Dwarf Blue Curled Rhubarb
and the short plants in the front. This works well with a
living wall whether you are using perennials exclusively or Kale, Italian Lacinato Silver thyme
mixing in annuals and vegetablestall works best in back. nero Toscana Spinach
When I plant an island perennial garden, I plant all the tall Kale, redbor Strawberries
perennials in the middle of the bed, circled by medium Kale, Winterbore Swiss chard
height plants, with an outer ring of short plants. You can
Lavender Tarragon, Mexican
create this look with a living wall as well by planting the
Leaf lettuce Thyme, Golden Lemon
taller perennials in the middle area of the living wall, with
the plants gradually receding in height on the sides. Much Microgreens
like hanging a picture on the wall, I focus on planting in odd

numbers: one, three, five, seven, and so on. odd numbers
of plants look better grouped together whether they are
in a living wall or in a garden bed. In the end, there are no
hard and fast rules in design. your imagination is the only
limit on the design ideas you might use to build your little
piece of living wall joy.

P A R t II
aLL GardEn
G w S
LIVIn rPoSE
I T h PU
w
IN THIS SECTION YOU will find twenty-one (well, twenty-three,

really) complete designs for living walls you can build and grow
in your own backyard. Each project includes a full list of the tools
and materials youll need, including a detailed plant list. Plus,
youll find tips, how-to instructions, and even a little trivia here
and there. Whether you choose to make one of these designs
exactly or to come up with your own unique plan, youll discover
that living walls help connect you with nature and plants in an
immersion fashion, which leads to a greater sense of well-being.
If you build a living wall that benefits your community, it will be
an empowering experience.
Living wall gardening can be about environmental
stewardship, community growth, feeding the hungry, therapeutic
health, or simply adding enjoyment to your life. A living wall can
provide a space in time for you to commune with nature for a
quiet moment of peace. In my heart, I know that a garden of any
kind is much more than just a garden because it is also a place
that is beautiful and life-changing. Be a steward of nature; make a
difference for yourself and others with a living wall garden.
Herbal Cocktail Garden Succulent Living Wall

Moss and Shade Wall Art Vertical Vegetable Farm
Vegetable Balconies Garden Aphrodisiac Wall Garden
Fern Garden Freestanding Entrance Garden
Cactus Living Wall Culinary Kitchen Garden
Therapeutic Hanging Gardens Aromatherapy Garden
Hydroponic Money-Saving Garden
Pollinator Garden Smart Garden
Shade Pallet Garden Colorful Living Wall
Insulate-a-Wall Garden Vitamin-Rich Culinary Garden
Bookshelf Fence Garden Urban Water-Saving Garden
41

heRBAL COCktAIL GARdeN
A Freestanding Herb Garden Planted
with Mixology in Mind
ONE OF MY FAVOrITE activities ever is to sit on my cocktail garden patio after a hard day of weeding, covered in mud and in
my work boots, of course, enjoying a fine martini with my garden helpers and admiring the fruits of our hard work. You too can
create a cocktail/entertaining living wall on a deck, balcony, or patio. Plant herbs that you can garnish or muddle or infuse, and
youll have a perfect place to promote home entertaining and community building. Plus, it just smells darned delicious. One
truly amazing benefit of gardening with a living wall cocktail garden is no weeding. Therefore, you have my permission to skip
the weeding and go straight to entertaining friends with to-die-for herbal martinis!
herbal sips and Muddling Formula Box

Part of growing useful organic gardens is finding creative ways to use the bounty Great-Tasting and Easy-to-Grow
of the harvest. Herb and edible flower gardens are an easy way to grow foods Cocktail Herbs and Edible Flowers
that can enhance a beverage with a lot of flavor without adding a lot of artificial
Basil
ingredients. Fundamentally, creating an herbal cocktail is not just for alcoholic
Cilantro
beverage preparation. I like to call a refreshing herb-enhanced, non-alcoholic
culinary treat an Herbal Sip. on a hot summers day, theres nothing better than Greek oregano
muddling strawberries and fresh mint together and pouring ice-cold lemonade Lemon thyme
over the top of the muddle for an astounding flavor burst. Lavender
Ice-cold water can be flavored in a similar way by muddling herbs, pouring the Mint
cold water over the herbs, and straining the mixture before drinking; the secret is
nasturtium
in the muddle. A muddler is a wooden, plastic, or metal pestle that is an essential
Peony
tool used in bartending. Use the fat side for mashing and muddling and the
Peppermint
thinner side as a stirring tool. Simply put, muddling is a way of releasing the oils
and flavors within herbs and fruits in order to provide a stronger flavor. Rose
Rosemary
Infusing Flavor Snapdragon
Picking herbs and muddling them to enhance a cocktails flavor is the easiest Spearmint
way to add flavor to a cocktail. you can kick it up a notch by macerating herbs,
Violet
berries, or flowers in vodka, gin, or another liquor, infusing the flavors in a
stronger, more condensed way. Infusing means to soak or steep an ingredient
with a spirit in order to extract the dominant flavor of the item being infused.
Vodka is frequently used as a part of the infusion process because it has a
relatively neutral flavor that allows the infused herb flavor to stand out.
The infusing process is easy. Simply wash the herbs or flowers, shake excess mois-
ture away, place in a Mason jar, muddle gently, and cover the ingredients completely
with vodka or another spirit. Place the lid on the jar, lightly shake the container, and When fresh herbs are within arms
then store it out of direct sunlight for two to seven days. When the infusion is com- reach, they are easy to use in culinary
plete, strain the liquid into a clean jar and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. and cocktail delicacies.
HErbAL cocKtAIL GArdEn 43

Tip
If you are using citrus to infuse
your spirits (yumlemon is the
most common, but try them all), be
sure to use the peel only. Infuse the
product for less time than other
herbs because citrus peel can
create a bitter flavor if it stays in the
booze too long.
Tools needed
1 window box living wall system
purchased or built Mix edible sweet potato vines and flowers with herbs to create colorful, tasty ingredients
Allen wrench and garnishes for drinks and food.
Hammer
Stronger-flavored herbs and fruits take less time to infuse, while lighter
Screwdriver
flavors take longer. Its all about your taste preference. Better liquor creates
Containers a better infusion. Be sure, for instance, to use 80-proof alcohol or above, and
Container soil preferably 100-proof.
Organic fertilizer
Herbs and edible flowers Jellies
Extracting an edible herbs or flowers flavor can be super tasty; rose or lavender
If hanging on the wall: vodka infusions provide surprise flavors in cocktails. Another way to discover
Drill the flavor of an herb or flower is to convert the plant into a jelly. For example,
Exterior lag screws peony jelly is created by pouring 5 cups of boiling water over one quart of peony
and washers petals and letting them steep overnight. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth in
Socket wrench the morning, add the juice of one lemon and 3 cups of sugar, boil until the sugar
Tape measure is dissolved, then add 2 tablespoons powdered pectin, boil two minutes more,
and pour in jars. The resultant pink jelly is marvelously fruity and can be used for
Level
many thingsbut is absolutely the best in a cocktail.
Making mint, lavender, or nasturtium jelly is a great way to incorporate a
plants essence into an herbal cocktail. Jelly cocktails are easy to makemuddle
Tip herbs first, add 2 tablespoons jelly, 2 or 3 ounces of liquor, and ice, then shake
Harvest herbs for the first time like crazy and strain into a martini glass. Absolutely delicious!
when the plants have reached
maturity. Only harvest one-third Growing and Harvesting
of the plant at any given time, Herbs and edible flowers are a breeze to plant and maintain in a vertical wall system.
then wait for that third to grow Most herbs prefer full sun, but they can survive in partial sun or partial shade. Herbs
back before you harvest again. and edible flowers are also uniquely beautiful, and having a living wall system jam-
This revolving method of harvest- packed with herbs on your patio or balcony can be an overwhelmingly delicious
ing and patience will enable scent experience. I once had a visitor come to my cocktail garden, sit next to the
a longer-lasting vertical wall oregano, and exclaim, It smells like pizza fresh out of the oven!
without having to replace plants Maintaining an herb living wall takes consistent watering and several
as frequently. applications of organic fertilizer throughout the season. Cilantro and other leafy
herbs can boltthat means to flower earlyand grow less flavorful and leggy
with fewer leaves. Trim browning plants back as well as any plants that might
have bolted to keep your garden looking and smelling very fresh.
44 Part II: LIvIng WaLL gardens WIth PurPose

h o w To
BUILd AN heRBAL COCktAIL GARdeN

For this project, I used a manufactured window box system (see resources, page 152). If you're handy, you can build something
compatible pretty easily. This vertical planter can be fastened directly to a wall or used, with its feet, as a standalone system.
Set up the freestanding living wall unit. It usually comes Hang the wooden box frames onto the wooden
in two pieces that you secure with screws (provided). back supports by hooking them on as shown in the
If youre attaching the unit to a fence or wall, your best manufacturers directions.
bet is to let it rest just above the ground and simply Turn over the plastic containers that line the boxes and
drive a couple of deck screws through the top board punch out the drainage holes with a screwdriver.
and into the wall or fence. If youre hanging it so it is Mix container soil with organic fertilizer and fill soil in
completely supported by the wall, use 3-inch exterior lag the unit (see page 33).
screws (with washers) driven through guide holes and Plant herbs and edible flowers tightly into the plastic
into the wallpreferably at wall stud locations. garden containers, then drop the containers into the
If using as a standalone floor unit, simply hammer on wooden frames.
the special blocks that function as the feet of the unit. Water well.
Punch holes in the bottoms of the Plants used for this garden include
containers, then fill the planting containers globe basil, moss rose, oregano, purple
with a preferred soil mix. basil, rosemary, sage, sweet potato vine,
snapdragon, and thyme.
Place soil-filled containers into the

freestanding living wall unit.
Once planted, water the unit regularly

and trim off any dead leaves or branches.
For cocktails and culinary dishes, simply
snip up to one-third of the plants leaves
off. Let the plant grow back before
harvesting again.
Place containers of plants in your

preferred design configuration. If satisfied
with the design, dig holes with a trowel
and place the plants within the living wall.
HErbAL cocKtAIL GArdEn 45

MOss ANd shAde WALL ARt
Low-Maintenance Moss Makes a Novel Design Statement in Any Home
GrOWING MOSS AS A living wall first occurred to me when I journeyed to Ireland a few years ago. There, moss grows every-
where in abundance: on rocks, on walls, on animals, on homes, on absolutely everything. There was a certain magic about
seeing mossy green patterns dancing along a rock fence wall that coaxed a passionate desire to touch. Some types of moss feel
soft like lambs wool, while other types feel prickly like a dry sponge. But all moss is magnificent in its beauty. I love moss, and
surprisingly it makes rather wonderful living wall material.
Moss has been around for almost 300 million years and has been identified in
ancient fossils. The moss family has more than 12,000 species of small spore-
Formula Box
bearing plants ranging in size from microscopic forms to giant plants more than Items That Can Be Converted
40 inches long. They are typically distributed in freshwater areas of the world into Creative Moss Living
and do not tolerate salt water. Mosses are most commonly found in moist, Wall Gardens
shady locations and aid in soil-erosion control by providing a tight surface cover Premade metal wall hangings
that absorbs water. Moss reproduces through spore production as well as by
Small photo frames
branching and fragmentation and regeneration from small pieces.
Small embroidery hoops
Which Moss Is Best for Living Walls? Found and recycled metal objects
Metal wire baskets
While moss may grow abundantly in Ireland, and can easily grow everywhere
in the northwest United States, it is not as easily cultivated in all locations. My old literature racks or
garden now has moss, but I spent four years trying to grow moss and failing brochure holders
repeatedly. What I finally figured out is that I needed an expert to help me. I Flat tuna cans
contacted David Spain from Mossandstonegardens.com. He gave me a quick Glass cups
overview on moss and how to grow it.
Clay pots
According to David, there are two primary types of moss used in gardening:
acrocarpous and pleurocarpous. each has unique characteristics. Pleurocarpous
moss tends to form spreading carpets rather than erect tufts. They are freely
branching plants growing in a more chaotic colonizing fashion. They can be fast
growing and quickly regenerate when they are broken. Some pleurocarpous
require heavy amounts of water and special care to get established. Acrocarpous
mosses have a more upright growth habit. They tend to look tufty and are
somewhat more tolerant of dry conditions. Their extensive branches create a
more architectural mounded colony form. It is important to mark the difference
between the varieties because acrocarpouss upright growth habit and drought
tolerance makes it a better candidate for the conditions created by living walls.
Another benefit of acrocarpous moss is that it can survive without soil as Dry moss can make a fabulous living
long as it is an established plant and receives the water it requires. Dry moss is wall if given the proper attention; it
often found growing on rocks and other nonsoil locations. Lengthy contact with makes a lovely contribution to a shade
galvanized wire, zinc, and copper will kill this moss, so it is important that in living garden or walkway and can fit in very
wall installations you do not let the moss touch galvanized products. Additionally, narrow locations.
Moss And sHAdE wALL Art 47

Dry moss (acrocarpous moss) is
the best moss for use with this
type of living wall as it is easier to
maintain than moss that requires
constant moisture or has other
challenging growing requirements.
treated wood or chemicals can harm the moss, so it is better to grow organic and
Tools needed
be aware of what touches the moss. If you find or create metal wall hangings for
An item to use as a wall hanging, the dry moss, use nongalvanized material or paint over galvanized metal to block
such as a metal art wall frame the moss-killing effect.
An acrocarpous moss sheet
Hammer Wall sculpture
Nails Building a living wall using moss and wall sculptures, particularly metal art, is
tremendously easy, and the wall art can be created from reclaimed materials or
purchased as an already created art piece. Resale shops, garage sales, and online
Tip reseller stores have metal art in abundance and for reasonable prices. If you are
concerned about protecting the wall on which you are hanging your living wall,
Watering Acrocarpous Moss
the back of the art can be covered with a black hardware cloth or taken down for
Acrocarpous mosses are much
watering purposes and replaced once the moss has dried a bit. However, I used
slower growing than other
the art for a fence area and watered the wall sculpture directly.
mosses and do not tolerate
Mosses do best in moderate temperatures and are evergreen plants through
heavy moisture for periods up
winter. They will thrive year-round as long as moisture and sunlight are available
to three months. Eventually, if
at the same time. Photosynthesis is possible even below 32 degrees Fahrenheit,
moisture continues to persist,
so dormancy does not typically happen due to cold weather. Instead, most
the moss will die. David Spain
mosses go dormant because they are too dry. Typically, they return to active
of Mossandstonegardens.com
growth as soon as moisture fills their tissue. Although its not necessary, if you
recommends the following
want to bring the wall hanging inside during winter, simply water it in the shower
watering plan.
when necessary, let dry, and then rehang inside. Bring it out again in the spring.
Months 1 and 2: Water daily. Finding moss is easy. While some garden centers sell moss, suppliers are easy
Month 3: Water every to locate online. A soilless living wall requires minimal attention once established
three days. and is an incredible conversation piece in your garden and home.
Month 4: Water once a week.
Month 5: Water twice a month.
After Month 5, water only
when rain has been absent
for three weeks or more.
48 PArt II: LIVInG wALL GArdEns wItH PurPosE

h o w To
BUILd A MOss ANd shAde ARt GARdeN

Once your acrocarpous moss arrives, you will want to Take the large piece of moss in both hands, then
stretch the moss out in a shady area. compress and squeeze it tightly until it can fit into a
If you cannot plant immediately, water the plants. pocket on the metal art sculpture.
Moss should be dry before fragmenting, so on the day When the moss is gently pressed into pockets on the
you will be building your living wall, make sure the moss metal art sculpture, it slowly expands and fits tightly
is very dry. against the sides of the metal.
To get the acrocarpous moss to stay in the wall sculpture repeat until your art sculpture is filled as you like it.
unassisted, simply pull off a large piece of moss from the Hang the wall unit using a hammer and nails or
sheet of moss that arrived from the nursery. deck screws.
Water using the water recommendations on page 48.
Begin with an item that can be stuffed full of moss. Upcycling Squeeze the moss firmly together until it is squished in a
or converting old items into a moss garden is an excellent idea. tight formation.
Paint any galvanized metal surfaces as the moss can be killed by
prolonged exposure to them.
Stuff the tight moss formation into pockets on the item you are Water daily for the first month and follow the instructions listed
utilizing for the living wall. Make sure that the moss is tight so it on page 48 for specific watering requirements over a long period
cannot fall out of the planting pockets. of time.
Moss And sHAdE wALL Art 49

VeGetABLe BALCONIes GARdeN
These Hanging Veggie Boxes Deliver Fresh Food and Fresh Air
NUTrITION AND qUALITY AIr are two of the most important drivers of good overall health. Build this garden and install it
next to an outdoor living area or near a window, and youll be getting a good dose of both elements. Living wall gardens, full
of plants that breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, are a fantastic way to help filter the air surrounding a living
area. This oxygen reaches a city dweller with a living wall if he or she is sitting on the balcony or sitting inside the home with
the window open. Having a view of the vertical wall garden from the interior of the home will both reduce stress and increase
the green view. Most importantly, growing vegetables in the garden means that you will also be providing nutritionally sound
food for you and your family, so the living wall provides extensive benefits beyond simple beauty.
As a young woman fresh out of school, I moved to the big city and lived in the
downtown Chicago area. My neighborhood was filled with busy urban apartment
Formula Box
dwellers, few parks, very little grass, and lots of noise and pollution. After only a Vegetables and Herbs That
few years away from the country and more natural environments, my health and Make Great Oxygenators
allergies began to suffer. not only did I miss the outdoors, but I craved green. I feel Arugula
that by connecting myself to gardening again in later years, I was able to rescue Basil
my health.
Cabbage
Air pollution found in urban areas can cause long-term and short-term health
Collard greens
effects. The elderly and young children are particularly affected by air pollution.
Short-term health issues include sinus and throat irritation, allergy problems, and Kale
upper respiratory complications. Long-term health concerns are significantly more Lettuce
serious and can include lung cancer, respiratory and pulmonary disease, and brain, Mint
kidney, and liver damage. Spinach
Improving Mental and Physical health Swiss chard
Because urban environments are filled with noise, traffic, and air pollution, they
have a profound effect on us, both mentally and physically. Living without green
can hinder our emotional development and increase levels of violence within
humans. According to a study done at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaigns
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory, familial violence can be reduced if there is
a view of landscaping or nature outside the windows of your home and workplace.
This makes living walls a smart tool to use in living situations of all sorts. Whether
in suburban or city living, improving air quality and the view outside our windows is
critical. Living walls provide a substantial connection to nature that helps ease the
effect of the modern concrete jungle. Additionally, green walls are known to miti-
gate the urban heat island effect by breaking up the concrete and flat surfaces.
Improving air quality and providing
Large Leaves equal More Oxygen food for your family is possible in
When planning a vegetable balcony garden with air filtration and oxygen genera- an urban area by planting your own
tion in mind, the question becomes, How do I increase the oxygen levels with vertical balcony wall garden.
VEGEtAbLE bALconIEs GArdEn 51

the garden in order to bring more
oxygen to my balcony or outdoor
living environment? We know that
oxygen is respired by plant leaves.
Each leaf produces an hourly output
of about 5 milliliters of oxygen, with
larger leaves producing even more.
Plants with a larger concentration
of leaves will produce more oxygen.
Therefore, using leafy herbs and
vegetables in a living wall garden
serves a greater purpose than
simply providing food: the plants
will help increase oxygen levels
near the garden.
Plants for this project include All varieties of leafy houseplants make great oxygenators. There are many
Bulls Blood beets, collard greens, leafy green vegetables that are excellent for increasing oxygen output, such as
globe basil, kale, oregano, purple basil, Swiss chard, kale, lettuce, spinach, dandelion, watercress, arugula, bok choy,
and rosemary. cabbage, and sorrel. Other excellent greens include collard, turnip, mustard,
and beet greens. Oxygenating herbs include basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, and
oregano. While the leafy vegetables are often larger than the herbs and therefore
Tools needed more likely to produce more oxygen, the herbs have unique scents that bring
1 window box living wall system olfactory enjoyment to those sitting near the garden.
purchased or built Sometimes apartment management or townhome associations do not allow
Allen wrench drilling into balcony walls due to aesthetic concerns and potential long-term
Hammer damage issues to the property. This situation can be easily remedied by using
a portable or self-supporting vertical wall system that enables the living wall to
Screwdriver
stand completely on its own without a need to be attached directly to a wall,
Containers
balcony, or fence.
Container soil
Organic fertilizer Standalone Living Walls
Vegetables and herbs Standalone vertical wall systems are easy to put together and offer the addi-
If hanging on wall: tional benefit of being movable should you need to relocate the garden. Another
benefit of a portable garden is being able to maintain a garden while moving
Drill
frequently. Jobs around the world often force workers to relocate several times
Exterior lag screws and washers
a season. These same workers feel challenged in planting a garden. Why plant a
Socket wrench
garden if you will be moving to another city in just a few months? Conceptually,
Tape measure the standalone vertical wall system can be easily relocated, making it a positive
Level option for workers who are more transient throughout the year. Best yet, this
same vertical wall garden can produce a significant quantity of food in less than a
2-square-foot area of planting space. Portable gardens can provide the amazing
health benefits of an oxygenation garden while providing organic vegetables to
support better health.
Most leafy herbs and vegetables prefer at least a half day of sun but can
survive with less light or high amounts of reflective light. To get the maximum
oxygen benefit, the living wall should be placed just outside of the home or
balcony entrance to treat visitors near the open door with waves of fresh-
smelling air. Scented herbs are a fantastic addition as their fresh scent is
stimulating. Portable living walls can also function as a beautiful place to rest the
eye in an industrial area or a parking lot.

h o w To
BUILd A VeGetABLe BALCONy GARdeN

Freestanding window box systems can be fastened directly to the wall or used as a standalone system that stands without
being firmly attached. either way works for growing most air-filtration plants.
Assemble or build a freestanding window box living Hang the wooden box frames onto the wood back
wall system. supports by hooking them on as shown in the manufac-
If youre attaching the unit to a fence or wall, your best turers directions.
bet is to let it rest just above the ground and simply Turn over the plastic containers that line the boxes and
drive a couple of deck screws through the top board punch out the drainage holes with a screwdriver.
and into the wall or fence. If youre hanging it so it is Mix container soil with organic fertilizer and fill soil in
completely supported by the wall, use 3-inch exterior lag the unit (see page 33).
screws (with washers) driven through guide holes and Plant herbs and edible flowers tightly into the plastic
into the wallpreferably at wall stud locations. garden containers, then drop the containers into the
Punch out the holes at the bottom of the plastic box liners.
We designed and assembled the this urban living wall back at my

garden, then relocated it to downtown Chicago. These window box
style living walls are very easy to transport. Here, the soil containers
are filled before planting.
Creating a design and laying it out before you actually plant

prevents mistakes and allows you to see symmetry in the design.
Once youre satisfied with the design layout, plant the herbs and
vegetables in the living wall system.
VEGEtAbLE bALconIEs GArdEn 53

FeRN GARdeN
A Stunning Vertical Wall Solution for Shady and Damp Locations
FErNS HAVE ALWAYS FASCINATED me; I love their green, airy, delicate limbs that wave in the breeze. As a little girl growing
up on a farm, I rarely saw ferns growing unless I happened upon a stand of native ferns in the local woods. Farmers wives
would sometime hang Boston ferns from containers on their wide wraparound porches in the humid summers or perhaps
grow Ostrich or Japanese ferns as in-ground perennials when a particularly challenging wet and shady spot presented itself.
I have had great success growing ferns outdoors in recent years by placing them in an area that is best suited for their special
growing requirements.
Growing ferns as a living wall is an excellent idea for unique circumstances:

ferns are definitively built for indirect light and moisture. They will need to
Formula Box
have a regular and consistent source of water and humidity and prefer an air Soil Medium for a
humidity around 50 percent. More critically, ferns are the perfect living wall Fern Wall Garden
garden solution for an extremely damp, humid, and partially shady area. Do 1 part organic potting soil
you have a wall that continually grows green moss? This would be the spot to 1 part rotted manure
build a living wall garden made entirely from ferns. A whole wall of plants is
1 part sand or perlite
another way to protect an exterior siding or brick from greening up because of
1 part shredded sphagnum
moss. It also provides an extra layer of insulation on your home during the hot
summer months. Studies have demonstrated that having a green wall on an
exterior surface of your home can make that wall up to 50 degrees cooler than
an exposed wall. This means that less heat is radiated inward to the interior of
Tip
your home. Before planting your annual ferns,
Perennial Ferns
groom them. This means to clean
up dead or browned fronds and
While there are thousands of types of perennial ferns, these plants typically clip back any problematic growth.
require an in-ground planting to overwinter in most areas around the nation. Regularly grooming throughout
Therefore, it is best to treat this exterior wall garden as an annual planting rather the season is required to keep the
than expect it to be a year-round exhibit. Most ferns are known as shade plants, plants looking their best on your
but all ferns seem to be more prolific when grown in partial shade that offers a living wall.
lot of indirect light.
Several types of perennial fern selections can be used on the wall. Many
varieties offer a colorful and attractive solution; ghost fern has white tones mixed
in with green and gray, autumn fern turns a fall orange color late summer, and
Japanese painted fern has a rainbow of tones ranging from black to mauve.
Mixing these with the greener deer, maiden hair, or ostrich ferns would definitely
create an interesting look on a homes wall. There are dozens of other varieties
that have unique shapes and curious leaf patterns. The problem with selecting
perennial ferns is that they are relatively slow growers and rarely form fully A fern wall provides additional
developed stems or leaves the first year of growth. Unless you purchase a more insulation and complements
expensive, fully grown perennial, the wall will look rather barren until the plants garden landscaping.
FErn GArdEn 55

develop more fully. To overwinter perennial ferns, you need to bury their roots in
the ground well before the first frost, then pull them out again in the spring.
Annual Ferns
To have an immediate and full fern display, purchase a fully grown Boston fern
or similar variety, which is primarily known as a houseplant. Boston fern, sword
fern, or petticoat fern are all varieties with the same basic growing require-
ments. It is easy to achieve success with these ferns planted outdoors in indirect
light during the humid seasons. Ferns such as these can be found growing wild
in Florida and other subtropical and tropical zones around the world and truly
prefer warm tropical conditions whenever possible. The humid days of summer
throughout most of the country provide excellent conditions for this houseplant.
Boston ferns and similar varieties prefer temperatures in the 75- to 80-degree
range and can survive nights down to 55 degrees.
soil, Water, and Fertilizer

Soil requirements for ferns are specific. Most ferns prefer their roots in a
well-draining mix rich in nitrogen. Mix 1 part organic potting soil, 1 part rotted
manure, 1 part sand or perlite, and 1 part shredded sphagnum for a healthy
growing medium. This soil mixture provides nutrients and enhances proper mois-
ture requirements but still allows for good drainage.
Providing the proper water and feeding for your ferns is important. Using
tepid rainwater from rain barrels is best because it provides a mostly chemical-
free solution for the plants. Keep the soil consistently moist; do not let it dry out
completely. If the plant becomes too dry, it will begin to look dull and lifeless
and eventually brown out. Apply a nitrogen-rich organic plant food once per
month from April to September. Fish emulsion gives excellent results; natural and
organic fertilizers are preferred.
Boston ferns fill in fast and make an

impressive structure, but they are not
hardy and need to overwinter indoors in
most areas. Overwintering Ferns
There is an additional benefit in choosing the Boston fern: at the end of the season,
you can bring the plants indoors to use as houseplants. After winter has passed, you
Tools needed can place the ferns back out for use as a living wall again. Boston ferns sometimes
8 to 12 cone wall planters have an adjustment period when moved inside. If the leaves are shedding and
Drill browning, it needs a little help to overcome the drier, cooler, dimmer conditions it
might be encountering indoors. Homes in the winter are often at a local humidity
Exterior screws
level around 10 to 15 percent. Try moving the plant to a bright west-facing window
Screw-hole zip ties
to help it get a bit more indirect light, and mist it daily with a mister throughout the
Tape measure winter season. If at all possible, do not place the houseplant over a heating duct
Soil mix as too hot conditions can sometimes cause fungus to grow. Do not feed the plant
organic fertilizer during the winter months; it will snap back in the spring once it is taken outside again
Plants and its summer regimen is reinstituted. If overwintered with the proper attention, it
can easily be hung outside again in spring with little complication.
Trowel

h o w To
BUILd A FeRN GARdeN

Hang cone wall planters, evenly spaced, in your
preferred pattern. Measure carefully, drill guide holes,
and then attach zip ties to the cones. Fasten the zip
ties to the wall with exterior screws, such as deck
screws. Hooks with screws can also be used to secure
the planters.
Fill cones with the soil mix recommended for ferns
(see page 56) using the trowel.
Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer
into the soil; mix well.
Plant ferns individually in each living wall cone.
Water well.
Hang the planters and double-check that they are spaced evenly.
Measure and space the planting cones carefully.
Snip drainage holes in the bottom of each planting container. Water the ferns regularly with a watering wand or a watering can.
FErn GArdEn 57

58

CACtus LIVING WALL
Put a Spotlight on Exotic Desert Beauty and Color
with an Arrangement of Water-Smart Cactus
CACTUS CAN BE A great water-saving solution, particularly in an area that suffers from drought or perpetually hot, dry, high
sun, and low-humidity conditions. While cactus still need to be watered, the advantage of a beautiful cactus living wall garden
is that it is an appealing and attractive garden design contribution while being extremely easy to manage. Traveling for weeks
at a time? No problem. With a cactus garden, there is security in knowing the plants will not fall apart weeping while you are
away. Cactus are relatively easy to care for.
There are over 2,000 species of cactus, which is a subspecies to the succulent
family, and many of the plants have unique and beautiful shapes with distinct
Formula Box
growing features. They rarely have traditional-looking leaves, and they collect Soil Medium for a Cactus Garden
light through their stems to use for photosynthesis. Most stems or bodies of 1 part potting soil
cactus look swollen and fleshy. Cactus often have spines that are produced from 1 part perlite
unique structures on the stem called areoles, which are considered an identifying
1 part coarse builders sand
feature of a cactus. There are many varieties of spines that develop along the
stem of the cactus. There can be pointy spines, stiff bristles, or fuzzy hairs,
and nearly all of them can prick handlers, so care must be used when handling
the plants. Flowers are produced from the areoles, and they are typically
Tip
multipetaled and tubular to attract pollinators.
structured for Garden design

Wonderful as a houseplant, cactus also make superb design plants for outdoor
living wall gardens because of their unusual structure; they come in rounded,
columnar, short, tall, and flat shapes, which are delightful for eye-catching
interest on a balcony or along a wall. Cactus plants do flower and can make
gorgeous floral displays, but some cactus take many years to develop flowers.
Therefore, growing cactus centers more on their amazing structure and less on
their ability to display flowers. When the plants do flower, expect a lot of atten-
tion from pollinators, but until then it is best to enjoy your cactus garden for its
attractive display.
Garden centers often glue straw flowers on the end of a cactus to increase DIY Cactus Handling Tool
purchase appeal for retail consumers. While cactus aficionados might feel gluing A handy, protective tool you can
a flower on is tacky garden blasphemyI see them gritting their teeth as they use when planting cactus is a pair
walk by the displaysthe reality is that many gardeners I know love the little of kitchen tongs with duct tape
garden center cactus for its color and flowery bloom. The type of cactus you wrapped around the ends. The
tape protects the plant from the
Cactus are the punk rockers of the garden world; their shapes encourage second looks, tong edges, but you still need to
and their colorful spikes are as flamboyant a hairstyle as any I have ever seen. handle the cactus gingerly.
cActus LIVInG wALL 59

Cactus varieties planted in this
living wall unit include Argentine
opuntia, Peruvian old lady cactus,
Eves needle crest, grafted
cactus, golden ball cactus, ming
thing cactus, chamaelobivia
hybrid cactus, hamatocactus
hamatacanthus, and echinopsis
purpureopilosa cactus.
choose to plant is up to youstraw flowers or without, bold colors, spiky, flat,

Tools Needed hairy, rounded, or shortbut no matter which variety, the cactus is a delightfully
1 bracket-hung framed art easy plant to have in a living wall garden.
wallpurchased or built
(see Resources, page 152) Edible Cactus
Screwdriver or drill/driver There are a few varieties of cactus that are edible and could easily be included
Exterior screws in a living wall garden. Opuntia or prickly pear cactus is a paddled cactus used in
Tape measure Southwestern and Mexican cooking. To consume this variety of cactus, one must
first de-spine the plant, then boil it in water until tender. It is excellent in soups,
Level
stews, and served in a burrito, taco, or even huevos rancheros with spice and
Cactus soil mix
other vegetables added. Opuntias unusual paddle shape and growth habit make
Organic fertilizer it an excellent feature plant that provides an additional useful purpose for your
Cactus living walledibility.
Trowel To grow a healthy cactus plant, one must first purchase a plant that is
Tong with wrapped tips healthy. Avoid plants that have cuts or bruises, damaged spines, or uneven
and/or gloves growth. Some plants appear to have put in newer growth that looks sprawling
Gravel or moss (optional) or spindly due to dimly lit store growing conditionsavoid these plants as they
will remain disfigured permanently. Purchase a plant that looks strong, with
good color and shape.

While cactus might be surprisingly simple to manage, they are prickly and can
be difficult to plant. Handle the cactus very carefully and wear tough gloves so
that you can prevent prickles and spines from piercing your skin. Wrap the end of
cooking tongs with duct tape, so the metal does not cut into the cactus skin, and
use the tongs for lifting and placement. Should you get pricked with the cactus
needles, use tweezers to gently pluck the spines out of your skin.
Growing Requirements
Most cactus varieties have similar growing requirements. They all require excel-
lent drainage. To encourage good drainage, plant your cactus garden in a pur-
chased cactus soil mix or make your own growing medium, using 1 part potting
soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part coarse builders sand.
Although they need far less water than ferns or other heavy drinkers, cactus
still needs to be watered regularly. normally, more water is required during the
new growth period that happens in late winter or early spring due to higher light
growth. A light dousing once per week for small plants and every two weeks to a
month for larger, well-established plants will do. When temperatures rise in later
summer, growth will slow down and the cactus will require far less water.
Cactus need warmth and bright light, but full sun is not always the proper Cactus garden living wall
choice. Plant the varieties that prefer the same sunshine levels together. When components that will help with planting
temperatures drop below 50 degrees at night, consider moving the living wall include a framed art wall, cactus,
to an interior location and protecting it through the winter. Place in front of a trowel, gloves, tongs, and gravel or
window with strong light exposure. moss (optional).

h o w To
BUILd A CACtus LIVING WALL

Measure carefully, and then hang the framed art wall unit Hold the planted unit and frame together by placing one
using exterior-rated screws or other fasteners if listed in hand on the back side of the planter and the other hand
the manufacturers directions. on the underside of the frame. The collector tray piece
Lay the system flat and use a trowel to fill it with cactus should be at the bottom. Carefully place the planter
soil mix. onto the bracket.
Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer into If the framed unit you are using has a water delivery
the soil; mix well. system, install the irrigator and the collection tray as
Arrange cactus in the container. directed by the manufacturer.
Plant cactus carefully into the soil, using tongs and special 10 When watering in the future, water through the top
gloves to prevent injury. irrigator unit.
Water well while the unit is still lying flat.
While the water is draining, attach the mounting bracket
to a secure vertical wall, keeping the brackets level and
spaced properly.
Cactus plants can be quite prickly, so protection is absolutely Soil requirements for cactus and succulents are different than
necessary when planting the living wall. Use rose gloves or another for traditional living walls. Use the appropriate mix when filling the
heavy glove to prevent injury. living wall pockets.
Carefully level the hanging bracket so the garden will Secure the hanging bracket with a screwdriver once you are
hang straight. satisfied with the positioning.

Once planted, hook the framed art wall unit onto the bracket.
Should you prefer the soil to be hidden, gently press gravel or

moss into the base of the plants.
Use soil to secure the cactus roots inside the planting pockets so
that the plants will hang tightly without falling out.

theRAPeutIC hANGING GARdeNs
Two Simple Living Wall Arrangements that Turn a Plain Gate
into a Calming Garden Element
CONNECTING WITH NATUrE IS powerful. There have been times in my life when I have walked into a garden and felt better
because Ive connected with the environment in a personal and deeply emotional way. Sitting on a park bench inhaling the smell
of flowers in springtime or enjoying a pond that sits in quiet solitude can spark memories, facilitate meditation, or build a bond
with the outdoors. Being in nature is healing in its own right, but imagine if your health, both mental and physical, could be
improved simply by making a living wall garden. Or two! In this project youll see a pair of creative gardens designed to unleash
the restorative power of plants. We hung ours from a wood garden gate, but they can be mounted on any vertical surface.
healing Garden design Formula Box

Home gardening has long been viewed as an essential leisure activity, not Scented Herbs That Stimulate
just simple maintenance and labor. yet hard science supports the conclusion Healing
that the human psyches exposure to nature through gardening helps heal the
Basil
body and the spirit. Knowledge of the therapeutic landscape came into the
Basil, globe
broader publics awareness when Wilbert Gesler introduced the terminology
in his book The Cultural Geography of Health Care. originally, the definition Lemon thyme
Gesler proposed was that landscapes were places with an enduring reputa- Mint
tion for achieving physical, mental, and spiritual healing and could become a Oregano
critical element in healing and health care conveyance. Rosemary
Since Geslers original theory was introduced, therapeutic gardens have
Thyme
become established as a distinct garden design category, often including an
artistic or beauty-centered element. Therapeutic gardens are built for their
restorative benefits and might be considered healing, meditative, or calming.
However, it could also be a garden that is designed to stimulate energy or
encourage memory. each therapeutic garden is created with a healing purpose
in mind that will help visitors feel both emotionally and physically better.
Therapeutic gardens are not defined by specific structural parameters,
but they can generally help patients become more healthful and well by
creating an atmosphere where a person can explore his or her emotional Scents from the therapeutic herbs
health. Healing parks or gardens are often seen at hospitals and health centers waft by every time the gate is opened
to help encourage this type of exploration. Size is not a concern. A special and closed. Hanging a Mason jar living
living wall can be built to fit ones home balcony and designed with positive wall on a gate might seem precarious,
healing energy in mind. The wall can give a homeowner or apartment dweller yet the jars are quite secure and allow
immediate access to fresh scents and beauty that might stimulate introspective the gate to open and close with ease.
thought and meditative relaxation. Building a healing garden can be a simple You can also choose another vessel,
task that helps care for a persons medical and emotional needs. such as fabric planting pockets (inset).
tHErAPEutIc HAnGInG GArdEns 65

Therapeutic gardens employ both
color and scent to achieve their
goals. A few plants you might find
in them are oregano, rosemary, and
creeping jenny.

Calming therapy
Healing living walls, in their simplest form, can be contemplation gardens that
provide an area of quiet where one might consider ones spirituality, religion, or
peaceful feelings. This calm and safe environment can help reduce agitation or
stress as well as increase the ability to focus so that healthful recovery is more
achievable. restoring ones emotional balance in life, particularly when an indi-
vidual might be in the middle of illness and invasive medical treatments, can help
mitigate the extreme stress that hospitals and institutionalized environments can
stimulate during medical treatments.
While a healing garden should generally be calming and beautiful, it should
also focus on the specific requirements of the person who is in need of the
healing area.
For instance, if someone needs more exercise or to improve strength and
balance, the vertical wall garden could be placed on a fence or wall at the end
of a long alley or lawn that is a distance from a homes entrance. This creates a
destination to walk to and strengthens muscles. Additionally, scents are known
to stimulate mental awareness. Planting a living wall with flowers and herbs with
a noticeable fragrance could be critical to a stimulating environment. Perhaps a
healing living wall could be placed in a shared courtyard for many to enjoy. Living
walls on gates are also a great possibility, as entering an alley, home, or garden
can be more welcoming if scents and beauty greet arriving visitors.
design Notes
In order to determine what plants should go into a healing garden, it is impor-
tant to first know what might help the people who will be visiting the garden.
To be most effective, your garden design should be based on conversations with
or knowledge of the unique needs of the primary garden users. Will it be best
for the users to have a stimulating garden or a calming garden? Should there be
an activity associated with the garden, or is it simply a quiet, meditative area?
Although the therapeutic garden may be custom-designed for one specific
person, hanging a scented healing garden in an entry or door area will inspire
fresh, healing scents for anyone who walks through gates and brushes by the
wall garden.
Therapeutic living walls can be large, small, or anywhere in between. It
depends on the space available and the specific therapeutic needs. Using
upcycled Mason jars as the crafty soil base for the living wall plantings enables a
living wall gate that is part art installation and part gardenbuilt for its fragrance,
beauty, and calming effect for any who happen by.

h o w To
BUILd A theRAPeutIC MAsON JAR GARdeN

Carefully drill a drainage hole in the bottom of each Tie a length of wire or marine-rated cord around the top
canning jar using a ceramic tile and glass bit. Please see of each canning jar, just below the threads at the top, to
the safety tip (Drilling Holes in Glass, below) first. form a loop for hanging the jar. Vary the lengths of the
Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer into loops if youre hanging the jars from the same support
the soil; mix well. (like the gate pickets I hung them on).
Fill the jars with planting soil. Hang the jars so they are far enough a part not to bump
Plant scented herbs and flowers in the jars. into each other if they swing around when the gate
Water well. opens and closes.
Cut a 4-foot length of wire or twine.
Tools Needed
5 to 7 Mason jars
Drill/driver
-inch ceramic tile
and glass bit
Duct tape
Exterior screws
Tape measure
Level
Wire or marine-rated cord
Container soil
organic fertilizer
Herb plants
Trowel or spoon Mason jars of any kind or style can be used, although the standard one-quart size works
well for this project. If you can find colored ones, go for it.
drilling holes in Glass

Planting containers need to drain, but Mason jars are designed to be watertight.
To allow for drainage, youll need to drill a drainage hole in the bottom of the jar.
Although it might sound a little scary, there is no need to worryyou can do it
yourself. With the right tools and techniques, its simple and safe. youll need a
special drill bit called a ceramic tile and glass bit. They have a spear-shaped tip, and
a -inch one is reasonably priced. Wearing a good heavy glove and eye protection,
hold the jar securely on a soft surface, such as the ground. Put a piece of duct tape
over the bottom of the jar to help keep the glass from flaking or splintering, and
drill right through the tape and glass together. Use slow drilling speed and dont
push down hard, especially as youre nearing the end of the cut. remove the tape
and dispose of the glass dust immediately.

Herbs included in this therapeutic
Mason jar living gate are sage,
rosemary, and thyme.
Plant the Mason jars using a spoon to help backfill the soil within
the container.
Use an organic, moisture-retentive soil mix to help the plants hold Once planted, the jars should be tied with wire or marine cord
and retain moisture in a tight-rooted growing situation. that wont rot and hung on the wall or gate.

h o w To
BUILd A theRAPeutIC FABRIC POCket GARdeN

Measure the height of gate, door, or wall area to confirm length of
Tools Needed chain needed.
4 to 6 planting pockets Measure the threaded rods and cut them at an even length so that each rod
(see Resources, page 152) can be threaded through the planting pockets fastening hole on the sides of
Large black jack chain, -inch the wally to act as a support.
link (length is determined by (Optional) Place the cut rods, wing nuts, and standard nuts on a flat,
measurement) protected surface and paint. Let dry.
Threaded rods, -inch Lay out the pockets on the ground one on top of the other, making sure the
Wing nuts, -inch pockets fit within the area theyll hang.
Screw standard nuts onto the threaded rods, screwing down about 1 inches.
Standard nuts, inch
Lay the black jack chain around the edge of the pockets on the ground, giving
Tape measure
extra chain at the top in order to use it as the hanging area.
Hack saw
Use the wire cutters to cut the extra chain off at the bottom of the display.
Wire cutter Measure the area between the fastening holes so that all the sides are even.
Pliers Starting at the bottom of the chain, gently pry open the chain with the pliers
Spray paint (optional) and place the rod with the nut to the inside of the chain.
Container soil
10 recrimp with the pliers to close the chain link.
11 Screw the wing nut on the rod to the outside of the chain.
organic fertilizer
12 Tighten gently.
Herb and decorative plants
13 Touch up spray paint (optional).
Trowel or spoon 14 repeat the process for each side of every pocket, making sure nuts are evenly
placed so that they hang evenly.
15 Hang the planting pocket unit on fence or gate, dropping the chain around
the top of the fence to act as a support.
16 Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer into a bucket of soil;
mix well.
17 Fill each pocket with planting soil.
18 Plant scented herbs and flowers in the pockets.
19 Water well.
20 Move the mobile garden as needed or keep it in a permanent location.
Supplies for making a portable

therapeutic fabric pocket garden
include felt planting pockets, black
chain, rods, nuts, and bolts.

Measure the width of the pockets. Then, using a hacksaw, cut Spray-paint all metal parts to match the color of the chain.
the threaded rods to that length.
Once all pieces are gathered together, lay out the pattern for Once it is determined where the rods should reside on the length
hanging, measuring carefully. of the chain, snip one of the chains and wrap it carefully around the
rod. Use nuts and bolts to hold the rod in place.
After the rods are assembled, test the hanging system to make Because the pockets are small, it might be necessary to press
sure it fits well on the location you have in mind. the roots flat before planting in the soil mix. Backfill between plants
with soil as needed.

hydROPONIC POLLINAtOR GARdeN
This Beautiful (and Soilless) Flowering Garden Offers
Food and Shelter for Bees and Butterflies
THIS COMPACT FLOWErING GArDEN is so gorgeous that it almost makes you forget what it is for. right now, we are living in
a pollinator crisis. Ten years ago, my gardens were filled with hundreds of bees and butterflies flying, landing, and pollinating,
truly making a difference for the flowers and vegetables on my property. Now when I am out working in my garden, I only see a
few pollinators doing their thing, and my heart is aching over it. Gardeners and farmers around the world have started sharing
their concerns about our pollinators, and the results have been staggering. Bees are particularly important to humanity as they
pollinate one-third of the worlds food supply, a large percentage of medicinal plants, and 90 percent of the worlds wild plants.
Currently, more than $15 billion annually in American food crops are pollinated by bees. Without bees, humankind will suffer a
devastating drop in the food supply and a domino effect of massive economic disaster. If you are not concerned about this situ-
ation, you should be. We need more pollinator gardens, and a living wall garden is a great start.
There are many types of pollinators besides bees. For instance, beetles
pollinate magnolia trees. A small fly pollinates most of the cacao plants that
Formula Box
supply the worlds chocolate. Pollinators are animals that cause plants to make Fantastic Sunny-Spot
seeds and fruits. Most pollinators do this by relocating pollen from one part of Pollinator Flowers
a flowering plant to another part, causing fertilization. only fertilized plants can Ageratum
create fruit or seeds. Without the fertilization process, there would be no plants Alyssum
because they would not be able to reproduce and, of course, there would be
Angelonia
no fruit or seeds. While bees are the most prominent workers, there are also
Lantana
butterflies, beetles, flies, wasps, and birds (such as the hummingbird) that can
function as pollinators. Lavender
Mint
Pollinator deaths nicotiana
All pollinators exist as part of a complex ecosystem. Currently, there is not a single oregano, Greek
problem causing a significant decrease in pollinator populations, but there are
Sage
dozens of things coming together to cause the larger issue. An ongoing increase
Salvia
of the human population causes more and more natural land space to be taken
Spanish daisy
up by cement jungle. extreme weather changes and deforestation throughout
the world contribute to the declining numbers of pollinating birds and insects, Verbena
particularly the Monarch butterfly. Without regular intervals of pollinator plants Zinnia
to sup from, butterflies and other pollinators must travel at increasing distances
over urban areas that contain a dwindling supply of food sources.
Bees have been particularly hit hard with colony collapse disorder. This
condition has been studied extensively, and it has been discovered that large
quantities of home and agricultural pesticides and fungicides are clinging to Using a combination of creative
the pollinators and are brought back to hives and nests, causing illness and painting and vertical placement of the
death. Beekeepers have discovered that beneficial bacteria residing in the guts hydroponic living wall pollinator gardens
of honeybees has acquired a resistance to tetracycline, an antibiotic used by makes an original design solution.
HydroPonIc PoLLInAtor GArdEn 73

the beekeepers to avert colony-destroying infections and devastating bacterial
Tools Needed
diseases. Additionally, parasitic flies have begun laying eggs within the bodies of
1 hydroponic soilless system (or live bees, causing millions of deaths. Bees have also been attacked by a virus in
any other system you prefer) recent years caused by another parasitic mite known as the varroa destructor.
(see Resources, page 152) This bloodsucking parasite transmits deformed wing virus (DWV) directly into the
Drill/driver or screwdriver bloodstream of the bee as it feeds. Sadly, this means that DWV bypasses all the
Tape measure bees natural immunity defenses and swiftly attacks the bees system. Combined,
Level these devastating issues create colony collapse disorder.
All of these deadly changes to the pollinators ecosystem, both natural and
Water
human-caused, come together to attack the pollinators where they live and
A liquid organic fertilizer
destroy their feeding corridors and colonies. These devastating acts could also be
Pollinator plants2-inch plugs
the future downfall of the worlds primary food sources.
Cooling heat Islands and Building Corridors

One thing we can do to help the pollinators is build planted corridors through
our communities that allow pollinators to sip from organic, chemical-free garden
areas as they cross over and through large metropolitan areas. These corridors
will help support a healthier pollinator population.
Cities and urban areas are filled with no-fly zones for pollinators and are
known as heat islands because of the low percentage of trees and vegetation
and high percentages of cement walls, parking lots, and buildings. Planting
trees as well as growing vegetation and pollinator gardens can help cool this
environment, as shaded surfaces can be up to 20 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit
cooler. This can give pollinators a corridor to travel through city and suburban
areas and increase their likelihood of survival. Building living pollinator walls
in urban areas will decrease the heat-island effect and also give pollinators a
chemical-free place to sup, rest, and survive. Working together to save more
pollinators should be an important goal for communities around the world as our
own survival is also at stake.
Butterflies are particularly attracted to flowers that are bright and happy.
They love shades of orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white, and prefer to feed in
sunny, warm areas. Both butterflies and bees need a water source. A small saucer
or shallow container of water with a rock or marbles placed in it will be a great
location for bees and butterflies to land and drink. Sit a watering saucer near the
pollinator living wall to help attract more pollinators.
Apartment and condominium walls make the perfect location in urban areas
for organic living wall pollinator gardens as do fences, gates, and doors. If space
is tight, it is possible to plant several very small living wall pollinator gardens in
succession for an entrance to a garden or as the perfect balcony display.

h o w To
BUILd A hydROPONIC POLLINAtOR GARdeN

I used a commercially sold hanging hydroponic planting system to plant the pollinator garden you see here. Because the
flowers that are most attractive to pollinators are fairly thirsty, a hydroponic system makes sense. If you cant find (or dont
want to buy) a hydroponic system, you can use any other system you choose as long as you are attentive to the plant
maintenance. remember, this garden isnt about the kind of system you plant it in: its really about the pollinators.
Measure a level area for the hydroponic garden. Water flowers and herbs every five to seven days
Fasten the wall mounts included with the hydroponic by extracting the cartridge and repeating the
garden kit to the wall. watering process.
Plant the 2-inch plugs into the holes in the growing For outdoor installations, organic liquid fertilizer should
medium. Some plugs might be too short and will need be applied at a lower rate in the early spring and fall, as
potting soil packed into the hole to bring the plant flush plants are coming out or going into dormancy. During
with the face of the growing medium. these times, fertilizer should be applied at a reduced rate
Take the cartridge to the sink and run it under water of 2 teaspoons per 1 gallon of water (0.33 ounces per
for at least one minute until it is fully saturated. 128 ounces) with every refill. During the active growing
Leave the cartridge in the sink for 15 minutes to remove season, when plants are developing new leaves and
excess moisture. Gently shake. blooming, fertilizer should be increased to 3 teaspoons
Place the cartridge into the frame by sliding the frame per gallon of water (0.55 ounces per 128 ounces).
over the tops of the wall mounts to install onto the wall. (continued next page)
Spanish daisy, alyssum, and zinnia

are used in a planting combination
for the hydroponic unit. It is easy to
grow plants from seed, but you can
use smaller rooted plants as well.

The hydroponic garden kit I used is pretty simple, consisting of
two primary parts: the frame and the hydroponic insert.
Because the units are smaller than 1 square foot, it is necessary

to consider their positioning on the wall in relationship to one
another. Purchase one or a dozen and hang them according
to your preferences.
Hang the frames with nails. Measure and level the nails first in Hang frames in the desired configuration without the
order to place the units evenly on the wall. hydroponic inserts.

Soak the hydroponic insert in the sink or a tub until it absorbs
water throughout the unit. Let it drain before planting.
Cut excess root and soil away from the plant ball, gently pressing
the root system tightly together and placing it into one of the holes
within the hydroponic system.
Carefully insert the hydroponic unit into the wall frame after the Water the flowers and herbs every five to seven days by pulling
water has drained and excess soil has been cleaned off. the units down, extracting the cartridge, and repeating the root or
frame-soaking watering process.

shAde PALLet GARdeN
Bringing New Life to a Living Wall Using Some Old Wood
PALLET GArDENS HAVE BECOME a popular way to show a young family how urban plant and flower growing can work.
These gardens can fit comfortably in most any space; it can give city life a little bit of outdoor planting or country life a little bit
of creative-chic style. reuse a pallet to build a garden and keep it out of a landfill. Whether you have limited room or lots of
space, pallet growing can be a surprisingly sustainable experience.
There are many benefits to pallet gardening. It is easy to do, uses very little space,
saves money, and reuses a common item. It is estimated that over 200 million pallets are
Formula Box
currently in American landfills, and most of the pallets have only been used once. Pallets Shade-Loving Plants
typically weigh between 35 to 75 pounds, so even shipping the pallets to the landfill is an Perfect for Your Pallet
environmental concern; heavier loads force garbage trucks to burn energy more quickly, Begonia, Gryphon
and pallets have more weight per square foot than other types of garbage. Coleus, Kong
When I lived in a tiny apartment in Chicago with a miniscule balcony that barely
new Guinea Impatiens
had enough space for a table, regulations restricted me from hanging plants off the
Spider plant
balcony railing. But I could have placed a pallet garden up against the wall in that tight
space to bring some growing love into my life. With limited room or lots of space, Sweet potato vine, Blackie
pallet growing can be a surprisingly sustainable experience, and it is easy to do with a
recycled pallet.
Tools Needed
Finding Pallets 2 clean pallets
When selecting a pallet, it is always paramount to know how it was manufactured
and where the wood originated if possible. new pallets are often made from scratch Landscape fabric or burlap
at manufacturing factories, large retail stores, and printing facilities. When you go to Heavy-duty staple gun
collect a pallet, ask for the details of what wood was used to manufacture it so you Staples
can make an educated decision about bringing it to your apartment balcony or home. Gloves
If you do not know where a pallet has been, then it could have been exposed to a Bricks or landscaping stone
hazardous material during shipment and might not be the best choice for your home.
A level
In the United States, there are regulations that require pallet manufacturing
Screws and drill/driver
companies to build pallets treated with chemicals or heat before being shipped
overseas. Aside from chemicals, dirty pallets can also harbor mold, bacteria, and Zip ties
pests. Good types of pallets to use for planting projects are those that have been Potting soil
marked HT. These letters mean the wood has been dried in a kiln and has been heat Plants
treated instead of being chemically treated. Pallets can be found by going directly to a Trowel
manufacturing facility, retail store, or factory. Secondhand pallets are easy to find via
the Internet: Freecycle.org, Craigslist.com, and other sites.
At the heart of the sustainable reuse effort is a great concern for safety. Pallets are This shade-lover pallet garden
best used for outdoor vertical gardens, and growing vegetables is not recommended features plants that adore shade, such
for pallet gardening because of the possibility of chemicals. Flowers and other plants as Kong coleus, Gryphon begonia,
that will not be eaten are the best choice for your pallet garden so that the chemicals Blackie sweet potato vine, impatiens,
are not absorbed through the plant and passed on to you. and spider plant.
sHAdE PALLEt GArdEn 79

h o w To
BUILd A shAde PALLet GARdeN

In this project, we are planting two pallets side by side sides and front. When the inside of the pallet is unreach-
to give the fairy garden in the foreground a rich, green able with the staple gun, simply staple the black fabric on
backdrop. While it is possible to connect the two pallets, it the edges of the pallet wood. Even stapling means there
will not enhance their stability. Therefore, treat each pallet will be no soil leakage.
as a separate component to the garden. Should you want Use old bricks or landscaping blocks to build a flat, even
to sand or paint the pallets with environmentally friendly foundation for the pallets. Recycled landscaping timbers
paint, do so before you start this build. Lay the two pallets or old concrete sidewalk pieces will also work. Use a level
on the ground, wearing gloves to prevent splinters. Roll to check the placement of the pallet.
landscape fabric over the backside of the pallet. Place the pallets on top of your bricks or blocks. Secure
Staple black landscape fabric or burlap firmly over the the midsection of the pallets to the fence behind it by
backside of the pallet so soil will not escape. Drive heavy- using zip ties or by screwing them into the wall or fence.
duty staples evenly across the pallet, approximately Zip ties should be wrapped around the main frame to
every 3 inches, to support the soil and plants. Wrap the be secured firmly. To hang the pallet on the wall, predrill
fabric around the sides of the pallet and staple it down holes and screw the pallet directly into the wall or fence.
securely. Trim off any excess so the fabric doesnt stick This project will be too heavy to hang off masonry or
out in front. lightweight wall board, so this technique is recom-
Using the fabric and staples, build pockets that are mended for heavy-duty fencing or wooden walls.
around 4 to 6 inches deep to hold soil and plants. Judge Purchase plants for your pallet garden. This garden is
creatively where the plants should go on the palletsit is located in the shade, so I used shade plants that would
different for every pallet as each pallet is shaped slightly perform well in lower light conditions. Fill the pallet pockets
different, but your focus should be to keep the pockets with potting soil using your trowel. Begin placing plants
evenly spaced. Do not worry if the black fabric hangs into the pockets you have created. Plants should be placed
below the pallet wood; it is supposed to in order to have snugly for a fuller look as they begin to grow and fill out.
an appropriate amount of soil with which to plant your Water well and fertilize with organic fertilizer when
garden. once your plants begin to fill in, the black fabric needed. Maintenance for the pallet garden is simply
will not be as noticeable. Try to stretch and staple the regular watering and organic fertilizer throughout the
fabric in a way that will prevent soil from leaking out the season with a clean-out and replant in the spring.
With your pallets on a flat surface, roll landscape fabric over the Staple the landscape fabric to the pallet, spacing staples about
back face that will be positioned against the wall. 3 inches apart, wrapping around the sides and stapling securely.
Create pockets on the front of the pallet by stapling landscape fabric
in the voids behind the front pallet boards. The pockets should hang
down a few inches to create room for soil.

This shade kitchen garden features
the florific pallet garden as a
colorful backdrop. Featuring some
of the plants already in the garden
is a good way to make your living
wall fit in.
Create a level base for the pallets using extra landscape blocks Fill the pockets with potting soil. Plant the pallets, grouping plants
or other materials that can withstand ground contact. Secure the tightly so they fill in visually as soon as possible.
pallets to the fence or wall.
sHAdE PALLEt GArdEn 81

INsuLAte-A-WALL GARdeN
Use Flowers, Vegetables, and Herbs to Save Energy
AN ExTErIOr LIVING WALL can help increase the level of energy efficiency operation and can reduce heating and cooling
requirements of a building. Having a large number of plants placed on the exterior of the home functions as an additional
insulant and can reduce indoor air temperatures by up to 7 degrees Celsius, which means a nearly 20 percent reduction in the
heating and cooling requirements.
Studies have shown that the surface of a planted green wall is 10 degrees
Celsius cooler than an exposed wall due to the disbursement and absorption
Formula Box
of solar radiation as well as the slowing of air movement and carbon dioxide A Burgundy, Chartreuse, and
absorption. Mitigating the urban heat island effect, the difference between urban Yellow Wall Planting Combination
areas and their rural surroundings known to be a huge contributor to climate That Includes Colorful Vegetables,
change, is another benefit beyond traditional energy savings. Vertical gardens Herbs, and Flowers
truly save energy and conserve resources, but they can also be a gorgeous and Basil, purple
eye-appealing contribution to a balcony, patio, or home. Beets, Bulls Blood
Using a larger wall area, such as a 4-foot to 6-foot wall or fence for planting,
Calibrachoa, yellows and purples
means that you can grow a miniature urban farm with hundreds of plants in less
Chocolate mint
than a 7- to 12-inch-wide floor space area. This is a revolutionary idea that could
allow unlimited quantities of pollinator plants, vegetables, and herbs in areas Kale
of the world where there is minimum space. entire community gardens could Lantana, Little Lucky Lemon
be planted on a 20-foot wall and produce hundreds of pounds of food. Beyond Queen (or any yellow variety)
plant production, the conceptual idea of saving money through energy mitigation Limelight licorice plant
means that the gardens pay for themselves. Sweet potato vine, Marguerite
Bigger living walls are definitely better for a building to truly save energy. Swiss chard, Bright Lights
These walls can fit easily in a home gardeners living area or on an apartment
Verbena in purple shades
balcony or fence. They can also be used for much larger commercial reasons.
Yellow coreopsis
Additionally, in many countries around the world, planted living wall systems also
qualify for financial reward credits associated with sustainable municipal zoning
ordinances and tax credits.
Noise Reduction, storm Water Management,

and Carbon sequestering
There are other advantages to a large planted wall beyond energy savings,
such as reducing noise. Soil, plants, and air surrounding the planting areas are
strong acoustic insulators. noise reduction in a city area or near a noisy street
or highway is a great benefit to the occupants of homes and buildings. This Living walls can be amazingly
is particularly true when a building is located near an extremely loud airport, beautiful in an outdoor room and are
train, or traffic area. Metropolitan areas also have challenges with storm water also useful, particularly when used as an
management, and large green walls absorb and filter storm water; depending insulating wall cover to help save energy.
Insulate-a-Wall Garden 83

on the plantings, a living wall can remove pollutants found in the storm water.
Plants used for this living wall system Watering the green walls with rainwater can save additional money.
include a combination of annuals and Plants are carbon sponges, absorbing or sequestering greenhouse gases from
vegetables: asparagus fern, purple the environment and storing it in their green tissues. The more carbon dioxide
basil, Bulls Blood beets, cabaret deep that is taken out of the air surrounding the living wall garden, the more oxygen
blue calibrachoa, cabaret deep yellow is returned to your neighborhood. While you are saving energy, you are also
calibrachoa, limelight licorice plant, spreading oxygen, which is good for the health of the community.
sweet potato vine, Swiss chard, and
empress violet charme verbena. Beautiful Growing Results
Insulating living wall gardens can be amazingly beautiful and function as multi-
Tools Needed purpose growing solutions as well. Planting a vertical garden that has a diverse
selection of vegetables, herbs, and flowers means you will attract more pol-
Modular planter and bracket
linators. More pollinators mean stronger fruit and vegetable production and
system (see Resources, page 152)
healthier plants. Most importantly, the beauty of a larger living wall garden can
Wall cleats (comes with unit) completely transform a patio, balcony, fence, or wall in a magical way; it can
Tape measure bring people to an area that was once flat and unappealing.
Level Growing many plants in a small floor space will be more successful if you use
Drill/driver and bits a wall system that provides for drainage yet has a moisture-retentive potting soil.
Plant from seed or use vegetative pack plants that have already been grown,
Screws appropriate for wall type
and/or wall anchors making sure the plants are able to touch and tap into fresh soil within the
container system. To maintain the look of the system, allow the plants to fully
Container soil
mature before harvesting. only harvest about one-third of the plants at a time,
organic fertilizer
allowing them to fully regrow before harvesting a second and third time within
Vegetables, herbs, and the season. By leaving part of the growth available in this rotating harvesting
edible flowers
method, the garden will continue to function as an energy-saving living wall.
Once you harvest all the plants at the end of the season, you will have pulled the
energy-saving benefits out of the soil.

h o w To
In S Ta
LL AN INsuLAte-A-WALL GARdeN
The tracks and brackets that support your planter units should be fastened directly to the wall or fence. When installed on a
wall, attaching wall cleats to at least one stud is recommended.
Measure for placement of the units using a level as a Mix the container soil with organic fertilizer and add
guide and marking locations of screws for wall cleats. soil to each unit.
Predrill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw that Plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers tightly into the
will be used in the designated locations. modular living wall containers, being sure that all
Secure the cleats to the wall with fasteners appropriate the plants touch the soil mix.
for your wall type. Use anchors if necessary (on brick or Clip the panels and planters onto the mounted
stucco) and ensure that the lip on the wall cleat is facing wall cleats.
in the upward direction. Water well.
Be sure that you have all parts required for your planting Because the units are rather small, it is easier to fill them
system. This system includes one bracket, one container, with soil if they are placed closely together on a table or on
screws, and one wall plaque for each hanging unit. the ground.
Using a moisture-retentive soil mix (see page 33), fill Measure and carefully level the living wall
the container portions of the unit about three-quarters of the hanging brackets.
way full with soil.

Place the brackets side by side to build a
close, insulating wall unit with no extraneous
spaces between the panels and containers.
Begin hanging units in the design order

most preferred.
Building a wall with an appealing color

combination makes the wall marvelously
suited to outdoor rooms.
When finished with the hanging process, the units should mold together as a whole and fit tightly together.

To provide a fantastic place to rest the eye as well as the
body, consider extending the colorful design with your outdoor
roomadd accessory containers and plants that coordinate
from a color and design perspective with the living wall.

BOOksheLF FeNCe GARdeN
Upcycle an Old Bookshelf into a Shady Living Wall
WHEN ONE OF THE bookshelves in our home became too wobbly and decrepit to support our giant book collection, I saved
it to use for an upcycling projectand I had one in mind. I had an empty wall in a shady area of the garden that needed a
bookshelf garden attached to it. rigging it up was quite easy, and as we all know, horizontal surfaces never stay empty long,
whether they are in your house or in your garden. Now full of container plants and a few knick-knacks, the shelf is practically
beaming. Maybe furniture enjoys fresh air too.
the Joy of upcycling Formula Box

What are you throwing in the landfill? Before we became aware, my family would Annual Plants That Grow Well in
discard just about any item that we no longer needed or wanted. In more recent Part-Shade Locations
years, we have worked hard to do everything we can to upcycle, preserve, or
Basil
reuse every item before recycling. It saves energy and is truly the right thing to do
Begonia
to help our environment. Upcyling is a variance on recycling that means to reuse
discarded objects in a way that recreates the product and transforms it into some- Coleus
thing of a higher quality or value than the original. Kale

In 2012, Americans alone generated about 251 million tons of garbage. Only Lettuce
87 million tons of this material were composted and recycled, which is equivalent Lobelia
to a 34.5-percent recycling rate. Garbage, or municipal solid waste, is made up of
Mint
many items people commonly throw away after being used. These items include
nasturtium
packaging, grass clippings, food waste, tires, appliances, sofas, bookshelves, and
new Guinea Impatiens
other furniture. While the statistics are strongAmericans recovered over 65
million tons of municipal solid waste via recycling and 21 million tons through Oregano
compostingwe need to recover more to keep our landfills available for the future. Snapdragon
Garbage is a serious global concern; the estimated global municipal solid waste Spinach
issue will have gone from 3.5 million tons per day in 2010 to more than 6 million Sweet potato vine
tons per day by 2025. If current increases in waste remain unchanged, we will be
Swiss chard
creating 11 million tons annually by 2100. not only is there a huge concern about
space to keep all this trash, but there is also a concern of expense. Currently the
global cost of dealing with municipal waste is a little over $205 billion per year, but
it will increase to $375 billion by 2025.
Many people think the solution is burning the trash, but incinerating furniture
and other items can release carcinogenic fumes into the environment and increase
climactic changes. Landfills also produce heavy levels of methane and other Converting a shady garden area
chemicals that are potent greenhouse gases and can contribute to global warming. into a sustainable garden by reusing
old materials such as wine bottles and
the solution: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle old furniture is easy to do; a living wall
This brings us to the solution: intensive reduction of our waste and principles can be an active part of the design as a
in our communities that encourage reusing and recycling. Why throw out magnet that draws the eye up.
booKsHELF FEncE GArdEn 89

Plants used for this project include
begonias of various types, Bulls
Blood beets, and sweet potato vine.
Tools Needed
An old bookshelf
Extra wood or 2 4s
Other Items that Could Be upcycled into a Wall Garden
There could be an unlimited number of creative ideas for upcycling old items into a
Handsaw
wall garden. While I used a bookshelf, you could just as easily use old chairs or small
Tape measure
tables that might hold container gardens. Over-the-door shoe organizers form perfect
Level pockets for planting a vegetable garden. other materials include old metal shelving,
Drill/driver and bits Mason jars, old pots and pans, filing cabinets, old clay roofing shingles, cement bricks,
Screws appropriate for wall type louvered shutters, shelving, stairwell supports, tin cans, liter bottles, baskets, fabric
Paint or stain pockets, boots, gutters, dressers or desks, and so much more.
All it takes to get started is an old item that can be filled with soil that will not
Small potting containers that will
release any type of carcinogenic byproduct into the environment. So, asbestos-filled
fit on your bookshelf
wall material is not what you are going forto reuse something successfully, it needs
Container soil
to be a healthy item that will not release anything environmentally harmful into the
organic fertilizer
plants you will be growing. Drill drainage holes into the items that do not have proper
Plants drainage and line other items with a nonpermeable lining if you are concerned about
soil leakage or other drainage problems.
Growing a beautiful living wall in a nontraditional DIy container is a great way to
help the environment by keeping the products out of the landfill. Building unique,
beautiful, and creative walls start with the concept of building a better earth.
something when you can reuse it again in a fashion that prevents the item from
going into a landfill?
My garden has become the center for my recycling and reusing efforts. If
I cannot donate it to a friend or resale shop, I try to think of a creative way to
use old things in my garden. Artistically painted shovels hang on my fence as
contemporary art, and you can find rescued Adirondack chairs, wheelbarrows,
and old planting containers that I saved from many a garbage can. While some
may call it trash, I definitely call it treasure.
Bookshelves are one of those items that can be reused with vigor. Cut the
shelves up and use them as spare wood, or make them into a table. or, in this
example, hang the bookshelf and create a rather remarkable living wall to share
with garden visitors.
While I have filled the shelves with part-shade annual plants and random
artsy tchotchkes, one could just as easily fill the shelves with vegetables and
herbs to help feed a family.

h o w To
makE A BOOksheLF FeNCe GARdeN

Measure your wall to determine bookshelf placement. Secure the bookshelf onto the cleat using the
Measure for support wood installation by measuring and predrilled holes as guides for placement.
marking the wall just below the spot where the top of Paint or stain the support wood to blend in with
the bookshelf will rest. the bookshelf.
Cut the wood to length for the cleat. Mix container soil with organic fertilizer and fill the
Screw the wood cleat into the fence or wall, using a level soil in each planting container.
on the wall as a reference. Plant one plant into each small container, watering well.
Predrill a hole slightly smaller than the screw used along 10 Arrange plants on the bookshelf with other tchotchkes
the top edge of the bookshelf into the cleat. in a decorative display.
Hang an old bookshelf on a fence; upcycling it instead of Find planting containers. Here, old tins with plastic inserts
throwing it away saves it from a landfill. are used as small containers that fit the size of
the bookshelf.
Fill the containers with soil and plant the living wall garden.
While the living wall is not designed to be moved regularly,

nearly everything on or surrounding the bookshelf living wall
can be moved and relocated at whim. This creates a versatile
atmosphere for gardening and entertaining.
booKsHELF FEncE GArdEn 91

Succulent living Wall
These Fleshy Plants Are More Popular than Ever,
Plus Theyre Perfect for a Living Wall
SucculentS were completely underappreciated and outside of my target range of plants-I-must-have until author
debra lee Baldwin penned Designing with Succulents in 2007. This was a definitive book with astounding photos that helped
gardeners worldwide discover succulents as the answer in their busy lives and turned me into a succulent addict. Since then,
the use of succulents as centerpiece garden plants has become an international craze, and succulent displays are sold out as
soon as they are set out at garden centers. Its a worthwhile addiction, and because of succulents low water requirements,
they are an absolutely brilliant ingredient in a low-maintenance living wall garden.
Beautiful Beyond compare Formula Box

Succulents have remarkable structure and beauty to go with their intense Great Plant Choices for a Succulent
water-saving qualities. They are technically listed as a plant that is a fleshy, Living Wall Garden
thick, water-storage organ. They might store water in stems, roots, or leaves,
Burros Tail (Sedum
usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. Cactus are a subcategory
morganianum)
within the succulent family, and while cactus are succulents, not all succulents are
Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum
cactus. Succulents do not have areoles, where the glochids, spines, branches, and
tectorum or echeveria elegans)
flowers might sprout from, and all cactus have them; succulents do not. Therefore,
Jade plant (crassula ovata)
not all succulents have what most people think of as a traditional cactus form.
Succulents, as natives to all sorts of arid areas around the world, have Medicine plant (aloe vera)
developed fascinating plant shapes and leaf forms with unique colors and Pink vygie (lampranthus blandus)
complicated designs in their plant structure. This uniqueness gives them an Plush plant (echiveria pulvinata)
otherworldly appearance that works remarkably well in a living wall. When you Senecio (Senecio Spp.)
think you have discovered all the succulents that ever were, there is another,
Stonecrop (Sedum acre)
more stunning plant for you to find. There are succulents that are pointy, narrow,
fat, tall, or short; resemble strings of beads, rosettes, paddle leaves; and come in
every color one can imagine.
Beauty is the hallmark of the succulent; it captures the eye of every passerby,
so they make a delightful wall design. If planted in a moveable system, succulents
can easily be moved indoors during colder weather so the living wall could be
enjoyed year-round.
Hardiness and light Requirements

Succulents survive in many different climates. Several types of sedums, for exam- Using a small living wall as an accent
ple, can survive seemingly arctic-like winter conditions in the North. However, is an excellent way to draw the eye to an
most exotic succulents found in modern greenhouses and grown for their very area you want to feature. Creating the
unusual shapes and architecture are known to survive in arid climactic condi- wall with succulents means the unit will
tions. On average, these tough plants can thrive down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit be drought tolerant and built for harsh
at night but prefer day temperatures that range between 70 and about 85 gardening conditions.
Succulent living Wall 93

Plants used in this planting
arrangement include ghost plant, various
types of jade plant, kiwi, pink vygie, blue
senecio, and coppertone stonecrop.
Tip
Succulents are extremely drought
tolerant, but they appreciate
generous summer watering.
Let the soil dry out between
waterings. Overwatered plants can
be mushy, discolored, rotted, and
limp; leaves will often turn white,
completely losing their color.
Underwatered plants will stop
growing, turn brown in spots, and
then drop their leaves. Consistent,
even waterings with time to dry
out in between drinks will ensure a
healthy plant.
degrees Fahrenheit and average nightly temperatures no lower than 50 and 55

Tools Needed degrees Fahrenheit. This makes the succulent an excellent candidate for most
1 bracket-hung framed art wall balconies or patios during the summer
(see Resources, page 152) Most succulents prefer bright light, but they can scorch badly when placed in
Screwdriver or drill/driver direct sunlight. Scorch is easy to diagnose as the leaves will turn brown or even
Exterior screws white as the plant bleaches heavily in the sun. Some succulents that get too little
light will get leggy and grow out of shape to try to reach the light. Therefore
Tape measure
bright, even light is preferred. Many walls, fences, and gates have bright light
Level
conditions without direct light, making them an excellent location for succulents.
Cactus or succulent soil mix
organic fertilizer Good drainage Is a Must
Succulents Consistent soil drainage is the most important condition for growing a drought-
Trowel tolerant plant such as a succulent. Plant succulents in a quick-draining soil
mix that is specifically made for cactus and succulents. If you cannot find the
specific soil for purchase, mix 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part coarse
builders sand in a bucket and use as a succulent potting soil.
Fertilize during the summer with an organic fertilizer recommended for cactus
or succulents, following directions on the organic fertilizer container. Winter is
not the time to fertilizestop all fertilization at the end of the summer season.
Building and maintaining a succulent living wall system is remarkably simple.
With the succulents incredibly architectural plant structure and gorgeous color
combinations, a succulent living wall can truly add a powerful design statement
in a small space. Some succulents have a shallow root system, making them a
creative fit in dish gardens as well as wall gardens. Partnering your succulent
living wall on the patio with a succulent dish or two on side and dining tables can
create a unifying design and a gorgeous outdoor growing setting.

h o w To
BUILd A suCCuLeNt LIVING WALL GARdeN

Measure carefully, then assemble your framed bracket to a secure vertical wall, making sure to keep
art wall system with exterior screws, following the the brackets level and spaced properly.
manufacturers instructions. Hold the planted unit and frame together by placing one
Lay the system flat and fill it with the soil mix, using hand on the back side of the planter and the other hand
a trowel. on the underside of the frame. The collector tray piece
Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer should be at the bottom. Carefully set the planter onto
into the soil; mix well. the bracket.
Arrange the succulents in the container. Slide the irrigator into the top planter grooves for
Plant the succulents carefully into the soil, being watering, then slide the collector tray onto the bottom
gentle to prevent stem breakage. ledge of the frame to collect any excess water.
Water well while the system is still lying flat. 10 When watering in the future, water through the top
While the water is draining, attach the mounting irrigator unit.
This system is easy to use and has very few partsit features
a top-watering area and a collection box for any dripping water at
the bottom of the unit, which helps protect an outdoor wall from
excessive watering.
This seating area has been converted to an all-succulent design

statement with hints of blue to bring out the contrasting copper
color in this living wall system and the plants. Once planted,
Measure, level, and hang the support brackets for the unit. succulents are tremendously easy to maintain
succuLEnt LIVInG wALL 95

VeRtICAL VeGetABLe FARM
Grow Luscious, Fresh Veggies in Even the Tiniest Spaces
I FIrST STArTED THINKING about vertical vegetable growing years ago when standing on a friends tiny balcony in an apart-
ment building in downtown Chicago. We were up on the eighteenth floor leaning over the railing and conjecturing upon the
age-old question, Would a tomato drop faster than a watermelon to the ground? when my friend suddenly frowned and said,
I wish I had a garden. I miss green. I crave the smell of real amazing life. Like plants and food and flowers, but I dont have
the time or space. We stood quietly for a moment, and I laughed, You have 3 perfectly good feet to grow a garden here!
We giggled, but it was true. There were 3 tiny feet of space, a meter of worthy gardening potential. Why not grow in every
space you can? Its possible to feed your family by growing an urban farm in less than 2 square feet, and I soon discovered how.
Although the structure is a unit that a manufacturer made and I purchased, the idea for this Vertical Vegetable Farm really
began that night.
years passed and I continued to consider the issue of how to plant large
quantities of food in small spaces. Urban farming is more than a trend; it can
Formula Box
be an utter necessity driven by health and financial concerns. even as organic Vegetables and Herbs That
food is becoming more easily found in grocery stores around the world, to eat Grow Well in a Small Space
exclusively organic is challenging because of the increasing prices for organics Arugula
in the marketplace. enabling people to grow in smaller and smaller spaces Basil
means that they will be able to provide for their families health and welfare
Beets
in a positive way.
Celery
Imagining the potential of small-space growing is what got me thinking
about the revolutionary planting technique of growing a living wall; planting Collard greens
more than thirty plants in a floor area that is slightly over a square foot Kale
definitely under 2 square feetis a powerful possibility. All you need is a Lettuces
fence, gate, wall, balcony, or door and a series of window boxstyle planters, Mini peppers
and you can grow amazing quantities of vegetables, herbs, and pollinators.
Mint
These gardens, along with therapeutic gardens, could solve millions of peoples
Oregano
concerns about finding a way to make every meter of space into a whole new
level of happiness. Parsley
Swiss chard
Beautiful design with Multiple uses Thyme
Best yet, the gardens can be intensely beautiful and amazing conversation Pot tomatoes
pieces, so urban farm living walls become more than just foodthey become Turnips
art. Seeing living art is therapeutic and provides a healthy mental rest in the
sea of urban cement and industrial views. Urban heat mitigation and oxygen
production are additional benefits, yet the conceptual idea of farming in tiny Growing many plants in a small space
spaces makes sense that goes beyond beauty and design. is more than possible; this unit sits
Advantages include no weeds, which means the only regular maintenance directly outside of the living area in this
for an urban vegetable patio garden is watering and picking the plants. home, bringing a large quantity of fresh
Vegetables and herbs come in a surprising variety of colors, some flowering, herbs and vegetables immediately to the
some trailing; this plant variety can inspire lovely and colorful designs. homeowners.
VErtIcAL VEGEtAbLE FArM 97

Growing and Harvesting
Patio vegetable production can have challenges; growing a giant indeterminate
tomato in a tiny space is not a reasonable structural fit. However, it is very practical
to consider growing leafy greens, pot tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, trailing
or vining plants, and all varieties of herbs. Choosing the appropriate plants for a
smaller space and the specific light conditions can generate significant success.
Planting on balconies or between tall buildings means considerably less light
than a traditional full-sun vegetable garden. Therefore, light considerations
must be made when planting vegetables and herbs in a small space. How much
light will the garden get? If you have a full-sun area, then planting varieties
that include root vegetables and heavily fruiting plants such as small, potted
Tools Needed determinate tomatoes or strawberries will be more successful. If you have a
shady area, planting fewer root vegetables and fruiting plants and more green
1 window box living wall
systempurchased or built leafy vegetables and herbs might be more successful.
(see Resources, page 152) Maintaining a vegetable and herb living wall takes consistent watering and
fertilizing several times throughout the season. Italian parsley, cilantro, lettuces,
Screwdriver
and other leafy plants can boltthat means to flower earlyand grow less
Container soil
flavorful and leggy with fewer leaves. Trimming back browning plants, as well as
Organic fertilizer
any plants that might have bolted, will keep your garden looking and smelling
Herbs and vegetables amazingly fresh.
Design your installation to your preferences; I like to mix burgundy-leaved
plants, such as beets or Swiss chard, among the greener plants to give the display
Plants included in this living wall are visual appeal. Harvest herbs and vegetables for the first time when the plants
beets, two types of kale, peppers, Swiss have reached maturity. Only harvest one-third of the plant at a given time, then
chard, and turnips. wait for that third to grow back before you harvest again.

h o w To
BUILd A VeRtICAL VeGetABLe FARM GARdeN

Set up the window box living wall system stand. The one
Im using here has an attached self-watering pump that I
hooked up as well.
Build the frame by placing screws in predrilled holes and
connecting as instructed.
Attach the back board assembly.
Screw eye hooks into side of the unit (to be used for
drip irrigation).
Weave the irrigation tubing through the eye hooks and
attach irrigation tubing as instructed.
Install angled front shelving planting areas. Add organic soil from the top of the unit. This is most easily
Line the bottom with fabric liner. accomplished by cutting the bottom of a soil bag and allowing the soil
Lift the vertical wall system up and place it on the stand to fall through the back of the unit, layering in height until it is full.
that has the self-watering pump attached.
Connect the drip irrigation tubing.
10 Fill the entire system with soil mixed with organic fertil-
izer (follow package directions). Fill it from the very top,
being careful not to harm the irrigation tubing.
11 Plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers tightly into the
planting areas.
12 Attach the timer to the system and assign designated
times for drip irrigation.
13 Water regularly.
Once full of soil, the window box unit is ready to plant. Gently dig
a hole large enough for each root ball to fit on each level of the unit.
Start at the bottom and plant to the top.
Set up the unit and incorporate the watering system hosing To ensure the plants get watered regularly, fill the water reservoir
before adding soil or plants (if the unit you buy or build has a and attach a timer to the unit.
self-watering function).
VErtIcAL VEGEtAbLE FArM 99

APhROdIsIAC WALL GARdeN
Grow Your Own Garden of Love
INTErESTED IN GrOWING A living wall that may have certain aphrodisiac qualities? Aphrodisiac-themed gardens offer a
creative idea for a living wall garden that is easy to grow and has some enticing added benefits. Using sexually stimulating
plants, you combine the sensations that tend to arouse people, such as scent and color, with energy-dense nutrition provided
by the garden. Vitamin- and nutrient-rich plants with an herbal-scented kick will be perfect for your special wall garden.
Ive thought about the possibility of growing an aphrodisiac garden several

times before. In fact, not too long ago, I was standing at the local grocery store
Formula Box
considering the ample options in the fruit juice aisle, when an unassuming Plant Suggestions for an
elderly woman leaned in and began a rather daring discussion on the benefits of Aphrodisiac Garden of Love
vegetables and sexuality. Her opinion was clear: Passion fruit juice is supposed Basil
to be an aphrodisiac, but I think V8 is probably better for you because it has Beets, Bulls Blood
carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress, and spinach in it. Thats a lotta
Celery
energy to build the excitement. Her comments got me thinking: could we be
Cilantro
growing an exciting sex life?
Obviously, discussions about sex are no longer taboo. Times have changed, Cucumber
and the modern-day view of sexuality is a common conversation focused Fennel
on health and emotional welfare. Herbs and vegetables, weve learned, can Kale
improve our sexual appetites, functioning like aphrodisiacs. Aphrodisiacs are Leafy vegetables
most commonly described as food, drinks, or scents that somehow encourage
Mint
or enhance sexual desire. Historically, foods that resemble human sexual organs
Parsley
have been revered as aphrodisiacs because they sometimes remind us of the
phallic or female form. In actuality, sexual vitality has been linked explicitly to Swiss chard
nutrition by medical experts. In other words, eating the proper diet can help you
get your romance on. Growing your own fresh, organic herbs and vegetables is
certainly a great way to do that.
Nutrition
raw foods are specifically known to greatly enhance sexual energy. In 7 Keys
to Lifelong Sexual Vitality, authors Brian R. Clement and Anna Maria Clement
conduct an experiment where they survey four couples and four individuals
to better understand their reactions to raw food. nearly all interviewees lost
significant weight and claimed stronger and more intense desire, arousal,
intensity of orgasm, and sexual stamina and performance by eating a diet that
contained between 50 to 100 percent raw foods. The authors suggest in their
book that there are several key nutrients essential to sexual health. Consuming An aphrodisiac garden features herbs
these nutrients by eating raw foods is a fantastic way to kick off the romance in and vegetables with enticing scents
your life. At the top of the list are beta-carotene, calcium, choline, iron, niacin, and qualities that stimulate the sexual
vitamin E, and zinc. Most of these vitamins and nutrients can be found in green imagination and appetite.
APHrodIsIAc wALL GArdEn 101

leafy vegetables, kale, cabbage, broccoli, turnip greens, parsley, and Swiss chard.
Tools Needed Imagine plucking these nutritious foods directly from your living wall garden and
Modular planter and bracket consuming them immediately as a salad for an energy boost.
system (see Resources, page 152) other experts agree with this surveys findings that food filled with good
Tape measure nutrition helps our bodies perform more optimally. For example, according to
Level Dr. Stephen Holt in his 1999 book The Sexual revolution, nutrients can be an
important point to sexual vitality: In my own clinical experience, I have seen
Drill/driver and bits
individuals reverse sexual problems by balancing their diet and taking well-
Screws appropriate for wall
selected dietary supplements. Certainly they may have changed their lifestyle in
type and/or wall anchors
other ways to enhance sexual function, but good nutrition is the foundation for
Container soil
continuing good sex.
organic fertilizer
Vegetables, herbs, and
edible flowers that have
scent
Smells can be intensely sexy. Helen yoest has published an entire book on the
aphrodisiac qualities subject of aphrodisiac plants called Plants with Benefits. She gives great emphasis
to health- and vigor-promoting plants in the book and explains scented herbs and
sweet-smelling plants that can be eaten or inhaled that offer the body a com-
bination of stimulation and aromatherapy. Helen suggests plants such as basil,
cilantro, cucumber, fennel, lavender, mint, rose, sage, and jasmine.
Additionally, in the late 1990s, the Smell and Taste Treatment and research
Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, did a study to discover which scents sexually
aroused participants. They did this by measuring the blood vessel reaction in
erogenous zones of both men and women while the subjects smelled various
scents. The studies demonstrated that for both men and women, licorice and
cucumber scents are particularly powerful sexual stimulants. Fennel and basil
often have a slight licorice scent, which can explain why fresh tomato and basil
dishes make our hearts beat a little faster. Having fresh basil of various sorts in a
living wall garden or a single fennel plant set at a perfect angle for touching and
smelling as you walk by can be two great aphrodisiac garden candidates.
Color
Gardeners often refer to gorgeous photos of gardens as plant porn. Perhaps we
can redefine that term to include healthy plants that lead to healthy aphrodisiac
eating that leads to, well, good sex! Building a beautiful living wall also means
that your secret pleasure garden can be eye-catching and visually stimulating.
Color can also be important to visual stimulation. Warm colors such as red and
shades of burgundy or purple can stimulate a warmer reaction from viewers.
Consider mixing leafy plants in the living wall planting boxes that might have red
and purple. To create an optimal reaction, hang the garden within visual and
touching distance on your patio or balcony so you or passersby can reach out and
brush their hands through the seductive scents.
Gardening in its purest sense also encourages exercise, which is a stimulating
activity for all involved. To encourage the sexy theme with the garden, why not
hang and plant the garden with your spouse or partner? Discussing the purpose
of the plants in the garden while playfully planting the living wall with your
partner is sure to bring a lot of emotional meaning to your shared goal of the
garden helping build excitement in your relationship.

Aphrodisiac plants included in this
planting are chocolate mint, cucumber,
fennel, and variegated mint.

h o w To
BUILd AN APhROdIsIAC WALL GARdeN

The hanging brackets for your system should be mounted directly to your wall or fence. When attaching to a wall, wall cleats should be attached
to at least one stud.
Measure for placement on the wall or fence, using a Mix container soil with organic fertilizer and fill each
level for reference. Mark locations of screws for the wall unit with soil.
cleats with a pencil in the small holes of the cleats. Plant vegetables and herbs tightly into the Compoclay
Predrill a hole slightly smaller than the screw used in the containers, being sure that the plants touch the soil mix.
designated locations. Press the roots tightly together. Place the tallest plants
Secure the cleats to the wall with screws that are appro- toward the inside of the container and cascade the
priate for your wall type. Use anchors if necessary (on plants toward the outside and front.
brick or stucco walls) and make sure the lip on the wall Clip the panels and planters onto the mounted wall cleats.
cleat is facing upward. Water well.
Planting an aphrodisiac garden starts with good organic soil and Add organic planting mix to each container.
an appropriate hanging system, such as Compoclay units.
Before hanging, set the preplanted units up to inspect and Before attaching the hanging bracket, be sure it is level.
evaluate the design. There should be no plants hanging off the back
or blocking the hanging frame.

Predrill holes for unit placement. Attach the hanging bracket to the wall Attach all the frames to the wall, carefully
using screws. spacing and measuring for accuracy.
Hang one container unit, then hang a panel

based on your preferred design pattern.
Water plants well after hanging, then water

regularly to maintain the living wall.

FReestANdING eNtRANCe GARdeN
A Pretty Project to Improve Curb Appeal with Houseplants
DUrING THE WINTEr WE stay huddled inside next to our houseplants as if they are little lifelines and hold on to every green
bit of life we can. In the spring we explode outside with a passion and vigor seen only by the desperate, hoping to breathe
some long-awaited fresh air. As we go out, so do the houseplants. They suddenly appear on patios and balconies as soon as the
last frost is done, excited to live it up by soaking in a bit of the natural air and light. Using container or living wall gardens as a
way to improve curb appeal and to help oxygenate the areas around the front door can result in an appealing dual purpose for
our winter houseplants.
Curb Appeal Formula Box

Curb appeal is the conceptual idea of improving the look of the front of your nASAs Recommended
home. realtors and investors use this term as it often goes hand in hand with Chemical-Absorbing Houseplants
improving the financial value of the home as well. There are many ways to increase
Aloe
property curb appeal, such as painting the door and shutters, upgrading the mail-
Chinese evergreen
box, replacing the siding, installing new house numbers, or upgrading light fixtures.
one of the most significant things you can do to increase the value of your home Chrysanthemum
is to add appealing plants. This can be done via landscaping or container and living Dracaena
wall additions and can play a surprisingly important role in property valuation. English ivy
Container planting, living walls, and landscaping have an exceptionally Gerbera daisy
positive recovery value if you have put your home on the marketyour overall
Golden pothos
home value can be increased by anywhere from 7 to 15 percent just by having
Peace lily
attractive plantings. This means that a nice-looking wall garden can be added with
Philodendron
confidence to the list of curb appeal components for your home.
To improve curb appeal, the living wall garden needs to be seen from the Snake plant
street. An excellent location is near or next to the entrance of your home. This Spider plant
area is commonly shaded or has an overhang that might provide bright light
without scorching direct sun. If that is the case for you, the perfect plantings
could be houseplants, herbs, or vegetables. Houseplants provide a surprising and
unexpected planting combination. recycling old houseplants into a solid living
wall will help create a lively view at the entrance to the building.
Fresh Air
Beyond curb appeal, this is also a magnificent idea for decorating outside sliding
doors or windows as the plants help filter the air surrounding these living areas.
Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, so every time you walk Entrance gardens have always
in and out of the house, you get a beautiful, green, stress-free view with an added been a way to improve curb appeal
breath of fresh air. and increase fresh air around the door
While plants with larger leaves are more likely to produce high levels of area of a home. Having a living wall
oxygen, all plants create oxygen as a byproduct of the photosynthesis process. This entrance garden is appealing and
breathing is why forests are so important in maintaining earths atmosphere. uniquely beautiful.
FrEEstAndInG EntrAncE GArdEn 107

Plants used in this planting unit
are mostly tropical and houseplants.
Selections include albo fern, begonia,
fittonia, heart leaf fern, golden moss,
lemon button, peacock moss, peperomia,
purple passion plant, rabbits foot fern,
spider plant, and toothed brake plant.
Tools Needed
1 felt wrap living wall kit or
comparable (see Resources,
page 152)
Extra soil
Hammer
nails or L-hooks
Black window screening
Scissors
The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) and the national

Aeronautics and Space Administration (nASA) conducted a two-year study to
determine ways to create breathable atmosphere in outer space. Their research
demonstrated that tropical plants are very effective at processing carbon dioxide
as well as other gases and chemicals. Their list of recommended plants for
reducing toxic chemicals in indoor environments might not have as strong of an
effect in an outdoor environment where the circulation of the air is constantly
replaced. However, any absorption is better than none and walking by a beautiful
living wall that is specifically built to remove harmful chemicals and return fresh
oxygen is a great thing for your family.
Growing houseplants Outdoors

Most houseplants are fairly low maintenance and offer little trouble. Many
gardeners prefer bringing the plants outside during the spring and summer to
give them some fresh air and different humidity. Watering houseplants with rain-
water seems to perk them up after their long winter season as well.
once planted in their new location, they require only that you give them
the proper light, keep an eye out for pests, water regularly while letting the soil
dry out between waterings, and regularly fertilize with a light organic fertilizer.
Succulents and arid desert plants require far less water than other typical
houseplants. Using a self-watering system can keep the living wall system low
maintenance for an active family.
Planting houseplants in a living wall by using the Florafelt Vertical Garden
System is easy. The technique is different than typical plantings as you will be
wrapping the roots of each plant to create individual pouches of tightly wrapped
soil and root that are placed inside the Florafelt planter pockets. When warm
weather is over, it is easy to relocate this freestanding garden inside next to a
sunny window for continued enjoyment through the winter season.

h o w To
BUILd A FReestANdING eNtRANCe GARdeN

Vegetables need a consistent supply of water, so I chose to use a vertical wall kit with a recirculating water pump that delivers
a steady and controllable supply of water to the top of the unit (see resources, page 152). Ill show you how to hook up this
kind of system on the next couple of pages. I think these self-watering systems are the best choice for veggies, but naturally
you can plant the veggie garden you see here in any system of hanging planters or freestanding boxes you choose. Just
remember to water regularlythe soil in containers dries out much faster than the ground.
Measure the wall to make sure the system youre using Fold the bottom corner up.
will fit where you want to locate it. Fold the bottom edge up over the roots.
Using L-hooks or nails, hang the vertical wall kit so the 10 Push the planting unit down, squishing slightly.
bottom of the wall garden hangs into the black water Hold down the edges and fold in the tips.
tank by 1 inch. 11 Use a rubber band to hold it together (optional).
Firmly stretch open the pockets. 12 Place plants into stretched pockets, pushing down
Use root wrappers provided with system to wrap the firmly so the wrapped plant is entirely enclosed within
plants so they can be changed out if needed. the pocket.
Start with a diamond shape. 13 Plug in the timer. Suggested watering time is
Fold the top corner down to create your top soil line. 30 minutes per day.
Place your plant facing forward. Add a couple table- 14 Maintain the water level below flap.
spoons extra soil if needed. 15 Add screening to keep mosquitoes out of the water tank.
Unpack the planting unit from its shipping box and find a site that
works well for you. Hang the unit using two nails.
Lay a felt root wrapper on the ground at a diagonal and place the
plant in the top portion of the square.

Fold up the bottom corner of the square. Pull the square up and place the folded bottom along the top of
the plant. Press down on the rootball to flatten it.
Fold one side of the root wrapper over, then the other. Although its not necessary to wrap it with a rubber band to hold
it together, its still a good idea to reinforce the wrapper by binding it
until it is stuffed into the unit.
Stuff each wrapper into a pocket in the unit starting at the bottom, working up the wall garden.

Plug in the timing unit so the automatic watering system waters Plug the water pumps power cord into the timer.
the living wall once per day for 30 minutes per day to start. It can be
adjusted if more or less water is needed.
Fill the water reservoir, then nestle the pump down into the If mosquitoes are a problem in your area, install a mosquito
water at the bottom of the reservoir, adjusting the wiring to rest screen. Simply measure a black screen and cut to the same width
behind the felt. as the reservoir.
Fold the screen so it does not pop out of the reservoir but stays In addition to keeping mosquitoes out of the reservoir, the
just above the surface of the water when the reservoir is filled. screen collects droppings from the plants, so rinse it every time
you add water.

CuLINARy kItCheN GARdeN
Grow Your Own Organic Vegetables and Herbs for Cooking
WHILE INTErVIEWING A YOUNG mother in an urban inner-city area, I listened as she told me a heartbreaking story. Her son
had asthma, and medications were not effective, so she tried limiting his chemical exposure by providing more organic food.
The price of organic vegetables from the market was high, and she dreamed of having a garden where she could grow her own
fresh produce. There were two places she could grow: her small balcony or a fence along a back alley that was over 20 feet
long but offered only a 3-foot-wide area to walk.
Finding a practical and easy growing solution for people who have small,
narrow spaces, like this young mother, seemed impossible until recent years
Formula Box
when living wall systems have become readily available. At 18 inches by 8 Common Culinary Plants
inches, the modular vertical planters in this project take up exactly 1 square for Kitchen Gardening
foot of space. Thirteen units could be placed side by side on the 20-foot alley Basil
wall the woman had to work with. She could easily stack five or six planters on Celery
top of each other, expanding her planting space to 65 square feet if she planted
Chives
thirteen units wide, five units tall. Sixty-five square feet of food for her family,
Cilantro
a larger garden than many traditional land gardens in backyard garden spaces.
even by utilizing only a small area of the wall and planting traditional containers Kale
beside the wall garden, a massive quantity of vegetables could be grown in a Lettuce
narrow area. Mint
The herbs and vegetables that are most popular are ones easily and quickly Oregano
grown. Great examples include leaf vegetables such as Swiss chard, lettuces,
Parsley
kale, arugula, celery, and almost any variety of herb. Basil, chives, cilantro, and
Spinach
oregano are all fast-growing herbs that contribute heavily to culinary in nearly
every culture. Swiss chard
Food grown on living walls can be a solution for urban areas worldwide and a Thyme
revolutionary concept for community gardens and apartment buildings. Imagine
coming together as a community to grow healthier food and the positive change
that can happen within a community as a result of the effort.
Finding a Location
While there is no garden or growing system that is completely perfect, there
are many that offer creative solutions for growing in small spaces. While urban
and city dwellers need these solutions, so do suburbanites and farmers. I grew
up in Indiana farm country, and when I recently went back to a garden center to
speak on growing, the number one question asked by farmers was, How do I Attractive as well as functional,
grow without chemicals? a culinary kitchen garden can be
When I asked them what they meant by that since they have large plots of incorporated into a small space yet
land to grow on, I discovered that farmer families or their neighbors typically provide an enormous amount of fresh
have a large garden out in a back area of the property. This area is near the vegetables for a family and community.
cuLInAry KItcHEn GArdEn 113

Tools Needed
Modular planter and bracket
system (see Resources, page 152)
Drill
Level
Tape measure
Screwdriver or drill/driver
Container soil
organic fertilizer
Culinary vegetables and herbs
Plants used in this kitchen culinary

Tip
design include basil, beets, celery,
CHEMICALS AnD HEALTH mint, purple basil, and Swiss chard.
There are more than 80,000
chemicals registered in the United
States alone that are used in many fieldsonly a few feet away from them, in fact. These corn and soybean fields
areas of our lives, especially in our are not organic and are sprayed with massive amounts of fertilizers, insecticides,
food. More people are demanding and herbicides. This overspray drifts to nearby gardens, giving the neighbors a
organic food as a way to reduce heavy dose of chemicals in their growing area.
chemical exposure. Environmental When the farm properties were tested, areas toward the center of the
health expert Paula Baillie- property were less likely to be exposed to chemical overspray. on average, most
Hamilton wrote Toxic Overload: A homeowners or farmers who own a large amount of land primarily keep their
Doctors Plan for Combating the homes and buildings in the center of their property. So if a garden was installed
Illnesses Caused by Chemicals in closer to the buildings, farmers would have more success growing with less
Our Foods, Our Homes, and Our chemical exposure.
Medicine Cabinets out of concern Finding a small growing space on a large property might seem silly, but to
for the chemical sensitivities faced families exposed to large quantities of chemicals, it might just be a positive
by modern society. healthy choice that could change their lives. A food garden can yield an
Baillie-Hamilton details how estimated pound of fresh produce per square foot of garden area. When
toxins and chemicals may be comparing freshly grown food with in-season grocery prices, that produce is
linked to dozens of serious health worth approximately $2.00 per pound or more. Since a traditional garden takes
problems. These health problems up a larger area and forces growers to use existing soil that could have chemicals
include asthma, cancer, immune trapped in it, building a living wall with fresh, organic soil makes sense. Barn
system diseases, neurological sides, fences, home walls, pens, and gates create fantastic and productive garden
disorders, digestive disorders, areas with lower chemical exposure.
hormonal imbalances, cardio-
vascular diseases, hyper-sensitivity,
obesity, musculoskeletal disorders,
and childhood health problems.
Children have a unique sensitivity
to chemicals compared to adults
and are more easily affected
by them.

h o w To
BUILd A CuLINARy kItCheN GARdeN

I really like the planting system Im using here because not only is it modular so you can hang the planters anyway you like, but
you can also get a reservoir and self-watering tubes so you know your veggies are getting the water they need. Plus, I think the
planters are pretty when theyre hung in a group (although the plants will cover them up quickly). For your culinary garden,
any planters that can be attached directly to a wall or fence will do. Just think carefully about the arrangement and leave
plenty of space between rows for the plants to grow.
open the living wall package, making sure you have the
self-watering tank, planters, and screws.
Save package wrapping for the horizontal self-directing
holes template on the package. Using a level and the
template, calculate how many wall planters you will
need by dividing the width of your wall area by 18 inches
and height by 13 inches. For example, four planters
cover a 36-inch width and 26-inch height wall area.
Predrill holes.
Attach the self-watering tank to the wall using included
hardware. Place the lid on the tank.
Fill planter with living wall potting soil up to the soil Most vertical hanging planters are super easy to install. This unit
level line. includes the containers, watering tank, and screws.
Mix organic fertilizer in with the container soil.
Plant your favorite vegetables and herbs.
When hand-watering, water will seep evenly through
breathable vents across the front of planter; carefully
dry the planter prior to hanging.
Slide the planter loops up behind and onto tank hooks.
Hint: Look down the irrigation supply channel to see the
loops and hooks.
10 Use watering holes for watering unless you are attaching
self-watering system.
11 If using the self-watering system, pour one liter of water
through watering hole into the tank, which will precisely
Place all the units side by side when filling for easier
water the plant roots. Fill the reservoir to keep the
soil management.
plants watered for up to two weeks. Breathable vents
aerate the soil and release excess moisture from heavy
rainfall or excessive watering.
Fill to the soil level line.

Measure and level each unit
to make sure the garden will be
visually appealing.
Plant vegetables, loosening pot-bound

roots carefully so that they will spread
down into the soil.
Hang each unit below its appropriate

water reservoir, being careful not to bend
freshly planted vegetables in the process.

Tend to the garden as necessary,
removing brown leaves or stems and
watering regularly.
Plants will grow in thickly with time

but start out smaller. Harvest one-third
to two-thirds of the vegetables at a
time, letting the plants grow back for
second and third harvests throughout
the season.

AROMAtheRAPy GARdeN
Invite Some Favorite Scents into Your Garden to Improve Mood
SMELLS TrIGGEr MEMOrIES AND they can change your mood. For instance, on a gorgeous August morning, mist hangs in
the air as I get ready for the first day of school. My house is an island in a sea of cornfields in the middle of Indiana, and I wait
on my front porch steps for the bus to come down the angling road and pick me up to drive me 10 miles to school. It is already
80 degrees with 90-percent humidity, and as I sit on the steps, I am enveloped in the scent of Mr. Lincolnthe reddest, most
beautiful rose I ever did see and the prize of my fathers garden. That rose could lure in any human from 20 feet away with its
beautiful, heady, overpowering scent. I would come out early on those first days of school just to have the privilege of sitting
next to Mr. Lincoln because his scent was a powerful stimulant. When I smelled this rose, even when my childhood was emo-
tionally complex and filled with drama, I was happy.
Good-smelling things can improve your mood, just as Mr. Lincoln did for me
as a child. While aromatherapy is the use of fragrance to enhance health and
Formula Box
promote feelings of well-being, there is a limit to the power it has, according Scented Plant Ideas for a Living
to scientific studies. Discussions on essential oil and scents have been going for Wall Garden
centuries; egyptians used odors to treat diseases. Scents are used in modern-day Anise hyssop
times to relieve pain, reduce chemotherapy side effects, and promote restful Artemesia
sleep. However, the only thing that aromatherapy has been scientifically proven
Basil
to do is improve mood.
Fennel
scientific Proof Flowering tobacco
A study from the University of Vienna found that female patients displayed Lavender
less anxiety in dental clinics when orange oil was used. Mie University School Lemon balm
of Medicine discovered that smaller doses of antidepressant medications were Lemon thyme
needed after patients trialed a citrus fragrance treatment. Controlled trials have
Oregano
also suggested that different types of aromatherapy might be helpful for calming
Rosemary
symptoms of Alzheimers disease and dementia. one small study dosed a hospi-
Scented geraniums (every type)
tal ward with either water or lavender oil scent for several hours. A researcher
unaware of the studys design, who wore a sensory block to prevent inhalation of Thyme
odors, was sent to rigorously examine the behavior of the residents who all had
dementia. results indicated that lavender oil aromatherapy decreased agitated
behavior and encouraged calmness.
essential oils can have a toxic effect to humans when consumed orally in
large quantities rather than inhaled. Various oils can produce illness and even
fatal effects, so essential oils should be inhaled or consumed within suggested
parameters due to safety concerns. Natural plants, however, do not have that
restriction because they have not been distilled down to an essential oil and are Whether in an industrial area or in
safe and beneficial for sniffing. With the knowledge that scents can be mood an everyday home, herbs can have a
enhancerseither calming or stimulatinghaving scented plants in a living wall powerful impact on mood. Beauty, as well
garden is a powerful way to build a healthier mood. as scent, can be tremendously uplifting.
AroMAtHErAPy GArdEn 119

Plants included in this aromatherapy
living wall include basil, chocolate mint,
cilantro, curry, mint, oregano, sage,
lemon thyme, and thyme. Combination smell Garden Ideas
Pizza-Scented Culinary Garden: rosemary + oregano + basil
Tools Needed Calming Garden: lavender + rosemary + mint or mint-scented geranium

Stimulating Garden: lemon balm + lemon thyme + lemon geranium
1 bracket-hung framed art wall
Happy and Relaxing Garden: rose-scented geranium + lavender
(see Resources, page 152)
Memory Stimulating Garden: cinnamon geranium + basil + thyme
Screwdriver or drill/driver
Invigorating Garden: mint + anise hyssop + fennel
Exterior screws
Tape measure
Level
Potting soil
Improving Mood
In a time when millions worldwide are suffering from stress, mental illness, sleep
organic fertilizer
disorders, and road rage, it seems that improving our mood with scent might be
Scented plants a positive thing. Whether you are at work or home, a scented garden filled with
Trowel delicious smells located near the patio lunch area, on an entrance door or gate,
or perhaps on a wall near a busy entrance makes a lot of sense.
There are several types of plants that can contribute to a scented wall
garden. There are flowers that have smells, herbs with strong essences, and
foliage herbal plants, such as scented geranium. Depending upon the visual
design you prefer, it is possible to use plants in combination with one another
to create a certain atmosphere or scent. The Combination Smell Garden Ideas
sidebar includes are several different types of scent combinations to consider.

For example, a pizza-scented garden might be positioned on a patio next to the
kitchen. you could use the herbs for cooking, and of course, you could stimulate
a guests appetite and create a dining mood with the scented garden.
Growing scented Plants

Scented geranium is a particularly powerful plant as its smell can fill a room.
Like other herbs, scented geraniums are fairly easy to grow. They are delightfully
drought tolerant and actually tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions. Their
preference is for at least four hours of direct sunlight per day. While other herbs
can tolerate far less light, scented geraniums require more light to stay healthy.
There are a couple geraniums that are exceptions to that rule: Pelargonium
tomentosum Chocolate Mint and Pelargonium tomentosum Peppermint both
tolerate more shade.
While herbs of all kinds would love more sunshine and at least some direct
sunlight through the day, most can survive well with bright reflective light and
a heavy amount of shade. They may not be aggressive under those conditions,
but with a small growing space, it works well. Choose the plants that you like and
make you feel good by researching what might work best for your health and
home conditions.
Capturing the amazing aromas of fresh herbs

either at work or at home can have a profound
effect. Creating a small living wall that rests
on a door or near an entrance is a great way
to welcome people with amazing scents.

h o w To
BUILd AN AROMAtheRAPy GARdeN

Measure carefully, then hang the framed art wall system
youre using according to package directions.
Lay the system flat and fill with the soil mix using
the trowel.
Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer into
the soil; mix well.
Arrange your preferred scented plants in the container.
Water well while the system is still lying flat.
While the water is draining, attach the mounting bracket
to a secure vertical wall, making sure to keep the
brackets level and spaced properly.
Hold the planted unit and frame together by placing
Your hanging framed planter should include spongy planting hole
one hand on the back side of the planter and the other
liners to include moisture.
hand on the underside of the frame. The collector tray
piece should be at the bottom. Slowly set the planter
onto the bracket.
Slide the irrigator into the top planter grooves for
watering, then slide the collector tray onto the bottom
ledge of the frame to collect any excess water.
When watering in the future, water through the top
irrigator unit.
Fill the planting areas with the appropriate soil mix.
Plant the herbs firmly into the soil-filled system.

Flatten larger rootballs.
Hang the unit by screwing hanging

brackets into a wall or, if hanging on a
door or gate, use wreath hooks to hang
the unit by attaching a wire around the
area where the bracket would normally
go and hooking the wreath hook onto
the wire to hang it in a nonpermanent
position. Hanging the living wreaths on
Backfill the holes with soil as needed to provide a full rooting area for each plant. doors and gates is a wonderful way to
have everyone who comes and goes
exposed to the amazing aromatherapy
benefits of herbs.

MONey-sAVING GARdeN
Growing a Fruitful Garden from Seed Is Practically Free
WATCHING MY GrANDMOTHErS GArDEN their plots was perhaps the best way to learn how to be frugal. They reused
everything: coffee tins were saved to hold and sort seeds and tools, tomato stakes were old broom sticks, watering cans were
old buckets, pie tins were tied to stakes in the garden to keep away pests, compost tea was handmade from old sheep dung,
and pantyhose cut up into strips was used to tie up bean plants. There was no waste in those gardens. Dead plantings and
rotted vegetables were used to make compost, and no potting soil was ever needed as soil from the old sheep barn was filled
with more healthy microbes than any manufactured soil. They planted everything from seedit was a money-saving garden.
Waste seems to be a modern invention, and waste creates expense. Finding

a way to annually reuse items is a green and money-saving idea. Most living wall
Formula Box
systems can be stored over winter and brought out to be used repeatedly for Easy Plants to Sow Directly in
many seasons. After the initial purchase of a living wall system, it can truly bring Soil from Seed
long-term enjoyment if maintained properly. Vegetative plants cost more to Allysum
purchase. Greenhouses have to maintain and grow them for many weeks by the Beans
time you are ready to buy them and plant them in your garden. While it might
Beets
take more planning, there are two ways to use fresh seed. When saving money
Carrots
is the goal, costs can really be cut for the living wall garden by using seed over
vegetative grown plants. Cucumber
Kale
sow seeds directly in the Living Wall soil Leaf lettuce
There are several easy-to-grow flowers and vegetables that are simple to sow Love-in-a-mist
directly in the soil of the living wall container. Start by working your preferred
Mini sunflower
organic fertilizer or soil amendments into your soil. Add the soil to the living wall
nasturtium
system, then gently water. This helps the seeds to stick to the soil where you
Radishes
place them. Plant the seeds according to the directions on the seed package
some seeds require light to germinate and must be placed at the top of the soil, Spinach
and some seeds require a deeper planting. If you have enough space and want a Sweet peas
straight planting row, use a garden row marker tool to make it straight. The tool Swiss chard
allows you to stretch out string between two garden dibbers to dig a small furrow Zinnia
that helps guide seed planting along the straight line. Whether you choose plant-
ing rows or more clustered planting in a living wall pocket is really based on what
your final design goal might be.
Generally speaking, seed placement can be important for a living wall; plants Living walls can also be money-saving
that hang over and grow lush should be planted at the front edge of the planting gardens if seeds are incorporated into
pocket so the plant can spill over the edge. Fuller, medium-sized plants do well the growing plan. This living wall is filled
in the middle of the planting pocket and function as a filler for the center of the with color that offers a happy mood lift
planting area. Tall plants should be placed at the back of the pocket so that their to passersby, and at least half of the
height can peek out from behind the other plants and also cover some of the plants are grown from seed, which saves
blank wall behind the system. significant money.
Money-savInG Garden 125

Tools Needed OPtION: start seeds Inside before Frost
9 planting pockets Many flowers and vegetables cannot be grown through cold winter conditions
(see Resources, page 152) due to their frost sensitivity. Starting plants indoors from seed six to eight weeks
before the last frost guarantees that seedlings will have an advanced start to the
Tape measure
growing season. Instead of seeing empty soil in your living wall, you will be able
Level
to plant a seedling in the living wall after the last frost of the season. Getting a
Drill/driver
head start on growing means you will have flowers or vegetables produced much
Container soil sooner than if you had planted seeds directly into the soil.
organic fertilizer Seeds and seedlings are quite delicate, so having a lighter soil to start your
Seeds for selected plants seeds in often means better success. Using a seed-starting soil mix, plant seeds
Trowel or spoon according to package directions. Plant in a starting kit, in cell packs from last
season, or even in old yogurt containers. Make sure that the containers you grow
in have good drainage, because if the plants are too wet they will rot. Grow the
planted seeds in a warm area between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably
in a sunny window or beneath a fluorescent light. If you use artificial lighting, the
seedlings need close exposureput the light only three to four inches above
the seedling tray.
Following the directions on the package, place seeds in or on soil, then water
delicately with a spritzer. Cover with cellophane or a clear plastic tray top to help
hold in humidity. Mist daily and watch for sprouting. once the plants sprout,
uncover the seeds and begin watering from the bottompour water in at the
bottom of the tray instead of the top. Heavy top watering when seedlings are
young can cause damping off, which means the seedlings will rot. Watch
the weather closely and do not put the seedlings out before the last frost as
the plants could die if it is not warm enough outside.
About seeds and storage

Fresh seeds have a longer shelf life. each package should be dated for the cur-
rent year, if possible, to guarantee success. Seeds are sold in several differing
forms: pelletized, loose, and in tape form. Sold in packets, loose seeds are most
familiar to gardeners. Pelletized seeds look like small pills, as they are individually
coated to make handling and proper spacing much easier. They are also sold in
small packets. Seed tapes also work successfully in living wall pockets. They are
long strips of biodegradable paper with seeds embedded within the strip. These
embedded seeds are properly spaced, so you do not have to worry about spacing
when planning; just unroll the tape and cover with soil.
Airtight jars or kits built to file seed packets alphabetically away from air
or moisture are perfect places to store extra seeds. When stored properly and
placed in a clean, dry location, seeds can remain viable for several years.
Planning your living wall garden with seed means you can create a more
affordable garden. I used seeds to build a pollinator garden to attract bees and
butterflies, which include alyssum and zinnia seeds mixed with vegetative sweet
potato vine. Saving money can look gorgeous.

Plants used in this living wall unit include
Chipotle sweet potato vine, Marguerite
sweet potato vine, white sparkle euphorbia,
clear crystal white alyssum, white wedding
zinnia, cosmic red cosmos, and cosmic
orange cosmos.

h o w To
BUILd A MONey-sAVING GARdeN

Choose a spot with the right amount of sunlight for the
seeds and plants you have chosen.
Use a level to draw a reference line and make sure the
wall garden will be straight. However, if youre install-
ing on a fence and your fence line slopes slightly, your
garden may look better if you install it parallel to the top
of the fence.
Mark where the grommet holes in the planting pouch
will be for the top row, then follow with each consecu-
tive row.
When hanging multiple pockets, overlap the pockets
grommets horizontally. Space them the correct distance
Hang the planting pockets with screws driven into the wall
apart vertically from grommet to grommetthis hides
or fence.
the grommets and ensures plants have enough space
to thrive but are still dense enough to create a lush
living wall!
Predrill the holes.
Slide fasteners into the holes.
Attach the pockets with the fasteners.
Fill pockets halfway with potting soil using your trowel.
If installing automatic drip irrigation, install behind the
pocket tongue. Test the entire system prior to adding
soil. once soil has been added, adjust the drip lines so
that they are above or at the soil line, then adjust if
additional soil is needed.
Plant the seeds according to the directions on the seed
packs, keeping plants that hang over and grow lush at Using a level, make sure the units rest side by sid. Half fill with
the front edge of the pocket, plants that grow full at the soil, and backfill as needed once the plants are installed.
middle of the pocket, and plant seeds that grow taller at
the back of the pocket.
10 Water through the tongue with 2 cups of water per
pocket, being careful not to disturb the seeds. once
the plants start to grow, water gently with a water
wand or use an automatic drip irrigation system.
remember to only water the top tongue; dont water
the plants directly.
While it is possible to use only seed, I chose to mix vegetative

plantings and seeds. Fill with any vegetative plantings first, leaving
areas for the other seeded plants to fill in.

Plant seeds, such as these zinnia seeds, according to directions. Regular organic fertilization throughout the season will
encourage plant growth, particularly for heavy-feeding plants such
as annuals.
The gardens bright orange, creamy

white, and bold purple design
is meant to stimulate a colorful
setting for an outdoor room.

sMARt GARdeN
A Balcony Garden Can Help Increase
Your Attention Span in Your Home Office
YEArS AGO I LEFT a dramatic and hated job to begin a new life working out of my home office. While it might seem terrifying
to some, it was a miracle for meit allowed me to step away from the pain and drama of a closed-in, unhealthy environment
and transform my office into something healthier. While I spend a lot of time writing in front of my computer inside, I have
built a lovely view of the trees and sky. When I am able, I work outside on my balcony or patioI try to surround myself with
plants and life. It does more than make me happy; it helps me breathe and think. Having a close connection to plants while you
are working, particularly in a home office, can mean the difference between a positive working environment and a horrid one.
Thats why I planted this smart garden, and one like it can do the same for you.
Plants sharpen your Brain Formula Box

Scientific American recently ran an article discussing the power of plants on Top Houseplants for a Living Wall
the brain based on a study done by the Journal of Environmental Psychology. Garden with Dim or Low-Light
researchers demonstrated that when a working office setting has plants, it Exposure
boosts the office workers ability to maintain attention. Additionally, there was a
Arrowhead vine
study done at The Royal College of Agriculture in Circencester, England, showing
Cast iron plant
that students demonstrated 70 percent greater attentiveness when their class-
rooms contained plants. These results are based on a specific concept: attention Chinese evergreen
restoration theory. rachel and Stephen Kaplan developed the conceptual idea for Dracaneas
the theory, and according to attention restoration theory, people can pay atten- Peace lily
tion and have a greater capacity to pay attention to work if that person has had Peperomia
longer exposure to plants or nature. In other words, you can pay attention more
Philodendron
when you have an emotional or physical connection with nature.
Pothos
Combine this scientific information with what we already know about plants
Snake plant
and oxygen; that, as part of their breathing process, plants output oxygen
in exchange for carbon dioxide. Having plants in a living wall sharpens our Spider plant
attention, produces fresh oxygen, and also offsets chemicals and purifies air, as Zee Zee plant
demonstrated by the study done by the Associated Landscape Contractors of
America (ALCA) and the national Aeronautics and Space Administration (nASA).
Plants can make a positive difference for our work environments.
Working at home
The number of telecommuters or at-home workers is increasing worldwide.
According to a poll conducted by reuters, nearly one in five workers around the Simply being exposed to a garden
globe, particularly employees in the Middle east, Latin America, and Asia, tele- during work hours can improve ones
commute frequently and nearly 10 percent work from home every day. While outlook; building a small living wall filled
working conditions within an office can be high-pressure or uncomfortable, when with oxygenating plants can contribute
workers are able to telecommute, they can take control of their working environ- to that positive experience by bringing
ment in a unique way. nature to a balcony or patio.
sMArt GArdEn 131

At-home workers have more freedom to
manage family and home because they are able
to work the personal hours that make them
feel better and in control. Are you a night owl?
no problem; working at home enables you to
pull more night hours. Are you an early bird?
no problem; get up at 4:00 a.m. and jump
online to send a few emails. Telecommuting
and working at home is also more sustainable
because telecommuting reduces carbon dioxide
and ground-level ozone levels by at least 25
percent. If 40 percent of the US population
would work at home half of the time, it would
be like taking 9 million cars permanently off
the road.
Make the Balcony, terrace,

or Patio your Office
Blending the work-at-home freedom with
more natural conditions means working in the
home can actually be better and healthier for
you, your corporation, and the environment.
Particularly if you take your work to the terrace
or balcony. Winter might restrict balcony office
work, but three seasons of the year could easily
be spent outside on a balcony. With modern-
This planting design uses a mix day laptops, it might not even be necessary to have a traditional table or desk.
of tropical plants selected for their Put together a chair, plants, and a living wall with a place to rest your coffee cup,
color and attractiveness. They include and you have built a small outdoor office space that might free your soul and
arrowhead, croton, hypoestes, ivy, your mind to make amazing work progress.
schefflera, and spider plant. In the United States alone, Forrester Research has forecasted that 34 million
Americans currently work at home, and the number is projected to increase to
over 65 million by 2016. Working in the home saves large companies time and
Tools Needed
money. Best yet, it increases the happiness levels of many of the workers that
1 bracket-hung framed art wall participate in this type of working arrangement. Having a traditional home office
(see Resources, page 152) with an escape to a nature mindset leads to amazing ideas for your summer
Screwdriver or drill/driver office. Create a living wall with houseplants, vegetables, or herbswhatever
Exterior screws your favorite plants might beon your balcony or patio. Keep the living wall on
Measuring tool
the balcony or patio close to your work zone to enable the most benefits from the
experience. Using houseplants might give you the added benefit of moving
Level
the wall garden inside to your primary office area during the winter as well.
Potting soil
Working outside on a computer, whether on a covered patio, balcony, or in
organic fertilizer open area, can sometimes mean that there is glare on your computer. This can
Scented plants be mitigated by installing bamboo screens or a canvas canopy over your work
Trowel area. Building a large or small living wall in a shaded area that is for low light,
accompanied by a mix of tall potted houseplants, can help block glare, absorb
street sound, and still provide healthy plants. Combine a home office with a
patio, terrace, or balcony for a happier work experience.

h o w To
BUILd A sMARt GARdeN

Measure carefully, then hang the framed art wall system Hold planted unit and frame together by placing one
according to package directions. hand on the back side of the planter and the other
Lay system flat and fill with the soil mix using the trowel. hand on the underside of the frame. The collector tray
Measure an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer into piece should be at the bottom. Slowly set the planter
the soil; mix well. onto the bracket.
Arrange your preferred plants in the container. Slide the irrigator into the top planter grooves for
Water well while the system is still lying flat. watering, then slide the collector tray onto the bottom
While the water is draining, attach the mounting bracket ledge of the frame to collect any excess water.
to a secure vertical wall, making sure to keep the When watering in the future, water through the top
brackets level and spaced properly. irrigator unit.
Design the layout of the plants by placing the framed system side Once filled with soil, place the plants in the soil pockets and
by side with the plants and calculating the best color arrangement backfill with extra soil. Water well.
for the planting pockets.
Using brackets, hang the unit firmly on the wall and keep it Building a living wall that can also function as an air-freshening
regularly watered. natural resource for a modern work-at-home family can bring both
beauty and health inspiration.
sMArt GArdEn 133

COLORFuL LIVING WALL
Build One Today Because Beauty Is Important
WHEN I FIrST BEGAN gardening, my color palette was heavy with a monochromatic theme of green on green. It seemed to
reflect simplicity and calmness. Many shades of green foliage seemed to blend in a rolling wave of chartreuse green to Kelly
green to blue-green; it was a wave of color calming to the eye and heart. As my garden has matured, I have expanded the color
palette to include flowers of all shades and an explosion of bold foliage colors. Each garden bed, garden container, and garden
wall has grown into a design challenge. Part artistic expression and part mystery, I am excited to see what develops with each
experiment. How shall I make this garden more filled with passionate color?
Beautiful Gardens Improve Community Formula Box

Simply having a garden for its beauty is as important as having a uniquely useful
garden. In fact, beauty is in and of itself very useful; beautification of a neighbor- Colorful Foliage and
hood can improve home value, bring a community together, feed people, attract Long-Blooming Flower Annuals
businesses, and reduce crime. Cities and urban areas across the world are suffer- for Partial Shade
ing from a challenging economic climate; we are suffering from economic strife
Beets, Bulls Blood
in our cities, crime statistics are on the rise, and small towns are becoming ghost
Begonia
towns because there is no financial reason to live there. Beautiful gardens are
needed because they create an emotional bond between people and their neigh- Caladium
borhoods, keeping both businesses and neighbors actively involved and available Coleus
within the community. While an areas physical landscaping and garden beauty Dragon wing begonia
might seem superficial, it is incredibly important as it presents opportunities for Golden creeping jenny
social activities and creates a feeling of neighborhood safety. Beautiful, colorful Kale
gardens bring community together.
Mondo grass
Urban neighborhoods often have higher crime concerns, but studies focusing
new Guinea impatiens
on green exposure have shown a surprising result. Scientists at the University
of Illinois Urbana-Champaigns Landscape and Human Health Laboratory Polka dot plant
studied landscaping near public housing in Chicago. They discovered that areas Sweet potato vine
beautified with flowers and plants have a reduced rate of home violence and Swiss chard
residents have a more positive demeanor. These studies emphasize that beauty Torenia
and greenery in a community will increase personal wellness and reduce crime.
Understanding this can redefine how we focus on beauty and gardens within our
neighborhood. By beautifying your home and community, you are building strong
neighborhood ties that will lead to secure neighborhoods where the residents
feel supported, cared about, and work together to protect one another.
Color in the Garden A gorgeous living wall filled with color

Color in the garden is a personal choice. Whether you choose calming or exciting, adds a lot to the garden; it draws the eye
color is a major player in the gardens visual appeal. This applies whether you up, can be a source of food for the family,
are building a living wall or a traditional garden. A color wheel is made up of the and brings beauty to a small area.
coLorFuL LIVInG wALL 135

primary colors yellow, red, and blue. Secondary colors are purple, green, and
orange. White and black are known as neutral colors.
There are several types of color schemes for the garden. Monochromatic,
for example, could be an all-green theme like I originally had in my garden. It
could mean all whitewhite flowers with white-leaved or silver-leaved plants.
Perhaps you love yellow and would like a living wall that has all yellow flowering
plants mixed with plants that have yellow on their foliage. Depending upon
the color, monochromatic can be calming or stimulating. Monochromatic can
also be amazingly eye catching. White is a neutral, yet it is easily seen at night.
Therefore, if you are away from your house all day and spend more time in the
garden in the evening, perhaps you would appreciate having white as a central,
monochromatic theme because it stands out in the evening and early morning
A color wheel is a helpful tool when hours when you are more likely to be at home.
designing a colorful living wall. Complementary colors are opposing colors on the color wheel, such as yellow
and purple. Building a garden that features yellow and purple together creates a
stimulating color combination. There are many purple-foliaged plants available,
Tools Needed so defining the colors as only coming from the flower aspect of the garden
1 window box living wall design is not necessaryuse foliage for color as much as the flowers themselves.
systempurchased or built Orange and blue is another example of opposites. Blue foliage mixed with orange
(See Resources, page 152) flowers is a bold statement.
Hammer Analogous colors are adjoining colors on the color wheel, such as the cooler
Screwdriver
colors of blue, purple, and red (or pink). They blend together more and create
a harmonious garden view. Another example of adjoining color is the hot color
Containers
combination of red, orange, and yellow. This color combination creates a stronger
Container soil
emphasis in the garden. Mixing colors in a creative way can improve your living
organic fertilizer wall design by giving the eye an interesting spot to rest and appreciate the view.
Herbs and edible flowers When creating a beautiful, color-filled wall, I have gone with the color
combinations of green, blue, and red (or pink/burgundy in this case). What?
If hanging on wall:
you say, That is madness! youre mixing up all the rules. Why, yes, I am! rules
Drill are meant to be broken, and I love the foliage combinations of the sweet potato
Exterior lag screws and washers vines chartreuse shades mixed with the blue colors of the kale mixed with the
Socket wrench burgundy and pink found in the flowers in this gorgeous fence garden. Throwing
Tape measure in unexpected creativity is often what stimulates a beautiful garden. Use your
best judgment when purchasing the seeds or plants. Start with a general color
Level
theme, then toss in a surprise to bring the beauty to a peak.
Plants used in this garden include

begonia, coleus, dinosaur kale, dragonwing
begonia, dusty miller, snapdragon, and
sweet potato vine.

h o w To
BUILd A COLORFuL LIVING WALL

The system for hanging wall planters thats shown here is sturdy and easy to use and I like the way it looks. When youre
choosing or making a window box living wall system, keep the convenience of being able to adjust the planter box height
easily as your plants grow.
Set up the wall unit. Most come in two pieces that you Hang the wooden box frames onto the wood back
secure with screws (provided). supports by hooking them on as shown in the
If youre attaching the unit to a fence or wall, your best manufacturers directions.
bet is to let it rest on the ground and simply drive a Turn over the plastic containers that come with the unit
couple of deck screws through the top board and into and punch out the drainage holes with a screwdriver.
the wall or fence. If youre hanging it so it is completely Mix container soil with organic fertilizer and fill soil in
supported by the wall, use 3-inch exterior lag screws the unit (see pages 32 to 34).
(with washers) driven through guide holes and into the Plant your plants tightly into the plastic garden
wallpreferably at wall stud locations. containers, then drop the containers into the
Assemble the back of the living wall. It is used to hold the When the back portion of the living wall is screwed to the wall or
planting boxstyle soil containers tightly against the fence or wall. fence, it will be flat and ready for the planting boxes.
Punch out the drainage Once planted, maintain

holes in the planting boxes with regular watering and
Hang the planting boxes in the design configuration you and fill with the appropriate organic fertilizing throughout
choosethere is no right or wrong. soil mix. the season.

VItAMIN-RICh CuLINARy GARdeN
Fresh Herbs and Vegetables at Your Fingertips
WHAT DO YOU DO when you live and work in a heavily urban or industrialized area and you want to have fresh, organic
vegetables for your family? Grow them, of course. The garden featured in this project is shown at an industrial nursery.
Families that work there are encouraged to share and use the fruits, herbs, and vegetables by taking the vegetables home
to family or by eating them at their lunch hour.
Getting your family to eat vegetables might be a battle reminiscent of

Godzilla, but theres a surprisingly successful approach that can get them to try
Formula Box
vegetables and like them: have them grow their own! Fresh vegetables ripened High-Vitamin Content
in the garden typically taste better than vegetables that are grown far away, Vegetables and Herbs
picked while in a still green state, then left to ripen on the shelf. The fruits and Arugula
vegetables you find in the grocery might look ripe, but the way they have ripened Beets, Bulls Blood
means less taste and nutrition.
Bell peppers
Vegetables that are shelf ripened also look different than vegetables that are
Broccoli
home grown. When you grow your own vegetables and pick them at the peak
of ripeness you discover a vegetable that has rich colors, strong tastes, and a Carrots
sweetness that can be overwhelming. This is the way to get the family to fall in Chinese cabbage
love with vegetables; having a vegetable that is at the top of its taste and color Cilantro
is appealing and will get consumed, but having a vegetable that looks and tastes Collard greens
bland is not appealing to young palates.
Kale
Children Like to Grow Lima beans

Mustard greens
Kids like to garden for a number of reasons. There is nothing better than
getting messy by planting seeds or vegetables in a big pile of dirt. Planting Oregano
is fun. Watching a childs face light up when they finally understand that a Parsley
tiny seed is going to grow into a cucumber or some other edible wonder is Peas
an amazing process. By teaching your kids to garden, you are teaching them Rosemary
the entire circle of life. They learn that growth does not happen without
Spinach
nurturing and that it is each humans responsibility to help nurture one
Sweet potato
another through life.
When your family grows together, they water and watch the plants develop Swiss chard
together as well. It is a home-community building process that can last an Watercress
entire season, sometimes over three seasons of growth. each time your family
comes together to nurture a garden, you are contributing to positive mental Living walls come in many shapes
health by reducing stress and calming your minds. Physical health benefits and forms and are most needed in
include increased oxygen exposure and, of course, exposure to the natural urban communities where there is very
world in general. Growing a plant yourself means you get to reap the rewards: little growing space. Seeing a living
tasting the vegetables. This is truly the best way to get someone hooked on wall vegetable garden growing in an
fresh food. once you try a ripe, freshly picked vegetable, it is all you will crave industrial area is reason for celebration.
vItaMIn-rIch culInary Garden 139

Tools Needed
Vitamin sources
1 window box living wall
systempurchased or built
(see Resources, page 152) Potassium: beans, potatoes, winter squash, greens of all sorts
Hammer Folate: beans, green peas, peanuts, dark-green leafy vegetables
Screwdriver Vitamin A: orange vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots;
Containers tomatoes; dark-green leafy vegetables such as turnip greens, collards, and spinach
Container soil Vitamin B6: broccoli, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, red bell pepper, and spinach
organic fertilizer Vitamin C: fruits such as cantaloupe and strawberries; broccoli; tomatoes;
Herbs and edible flowers cabbage; potatoes; peppers; and leafy greens such as turnip greens, spinach,
and romaine lettuce
If hanging on wall:
Drill
Exterior lag screws and washers in the future. When children are able to pick the vegetables that they grew
Socket wrench themselves, you are helping them form a connection between growing and
their own mental and physical health.
Tape measure
Level
Where the Vitamins Are
Growing a vitamin-rich culinary garden is as simple as making your living wall
vegetable garden as colorful as you possibly can. A basic rule related to vitamin
content and vegetables is this: more color equals more vitamins. Bold-colored
Swiss chard, orange carrots, deep-green spinach, and red Bulls Blood beets
are full of color and nutrients, which include phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Consuming lots of color and a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits will help you
have a most well-balanced diet.
Herbs are also powerful vitamin machines when consumed. One
teaspoon of thyme can provide 20 percent of your daily iron requirements.
Cilantro, particularly the seed, is known to improve cardiovascular health.
oregano has more cancer-fighting antioxidants than blueberries. Using fresh
herbs and vegetables in your everyday cooking schedule will enhance your
familys diet.
There are many types of vitamins in vegetables, and some vegetables
are known as powerhouses because of the large quantity of nutrients in
one plant. Therefore, you might choose to grow a vegetable or plant that
provides a nutrient you know you and your family might not be getting
enough of. This could stimulate more interest in that particular vegetable,
While it is best to use smaller leafy
particularly if you grow it and like it, so you will continue to consume the
plants in a living wall garden such as this
vegetable in the future. Growing a variety of colorful vegetables will give you
one, large plants can still find their place
a well-rounded, vitamin-rich diet. Whether you grow at work or at home with
as is seen with these collard greens.
your family, be sure to taste the amazing flavor that can be discovered
with high-vitamin vegetables.

h o w To
BUILd A VItAMIN-RICh CuLINARy GARdeN

Assemble or build your living wall unit. Hang the wooden box frames onto the wood back
If youre attaching the unit to a fence or wall, your best supports by hooking them on as shown in the manufac-
bet is to let it rest just above the ground and simply turers directions.
drive a couple of deck screws through the top board Turn over the plastic containers that come with the unit
and into the wall or fence. If youre hanging it so it is and punch out the drainage holes with a screwdriver.
completely supported by the wall, use 3-inch exterior lag Mix container soil with organic fertilizer and fill soil in
screws (with washers) driven through guide holes and the unit (see pages 32 to 34).
into the wallpreferably at wall stud locations. Plant your veggies tightly into the plastic garden
If using as a standalone floor unit, simply hammer on containers, then drop the containers into the
the special blocks that function as the feet of the unit, if wooden frames.
your system can be freestanding. Water well.
Assemble the unit. Because this is a freestanding unit that is not Punch holes in the bottom of the planting boxes and arrange
attached to the wall, the feet of the unit must be hammered on them on the living wall.
before the rest of the garden can be assembled.
Fill with an organic soil mix, leaving about an inch of space at the
top of the soil level.
Assemble the garden with whichever plants you prefer. This

garden has a mixture of herb and vegetables, including basil,
oregano, collard greens, parsley, Swiss chard, and kale.
vItaMIn-rIch culInary Garden 141

uRBAN WAteR-sAVING GARdeN
Conserve Water and Make a Difference
SAVING MONEY BY PLANTING with seeds or reusing garden planting systems is a great way to grow frugally. Water, however,
is one of the biggest gardening expenses around the world. By learning to save water, you are learning to save money. Living
walls, if used properly, can save water and expense.
Humans are wasting water. In the United States alone, it is estimated that
more than one trillion gallons of water are wasted annually nationwide. For the
Formula Box
average household, this means that water leaks can account for an astounding Drought-Tolerant Herbs and
waste of 10,000 gallons of water annually. Irrigation systems are often installed Vegetables
to water grass, which is a nonfood-producing, nonpollinator-supporting crop Amaranth
with heavy water requirements. Lawn watering consumes over 30 percent of the Broccoli
water used on the East Coast of the United States during the spring and summer
Chamomile, German
seasons. Many of these irrigation systems leak, which means that a slow leak
Chards
about the thickness of a of an inch can waste over 6,300 gallons of water
per month. Chinese cabbage
Lavender
World drought Malabar spinach
Drought is currently a pervasive environmental concern for most of the world. Oregano
extreme weather and climactic events are a natural part of earths system.
Peppers
yet drought and heat waves are particularly challenging for the act of garden-
Rhubarb
ing, having significant impacts on our community and lives. According to the
Sage
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, confidence has increased that
some weather events and extremes will become more frequent, more wide- Thyme
spread or more intense during the 21st century. In other words, look out for Tomatoes
more of the same in future years. Winter Savory
In areas such as Southern California, South Africa, Spain, and other European
regions, severe drought has been devastating to crops, having a severe socio-
economic effect on communities as well. In these regions, saving water is not a
considerate thing to do; its an absolute necessity.
Watering your Living Wall Garden

Living wall gardens can be quite water-saving efficient because gardens of this
nature are typically hand watered or have automatic watering as a part of their Growing in regions of the country
growing systems. Sprinklers waste tons of water annually, so the advantage that suffer drought often means there is
of living walls is that they lose less water through evaporation of the watering a lot of brown in the scenery. Why not
process. Using a watering wand when watering, instead of spraying directly perk up a dry, hot area with bold color,
with a hose, is a great step toward saving water. Utilizing an automated irriga- both in plantings and in container and
tion system is perhaps the best way to save water, but irrigation is not always wall design? This living wall shelf is a
available to a gardener. fantastic way to bring color to a dull area.
urban Water-savInG Garden 143

It is possible to take the concept of saving water through living walls to the
Tools Needed next level by carefully planning the container system. A self-watering container
3 water-saving planters helps save water by allowing you to water less over a period of time. For
(see Resources, page 152) example, a self-watering unit such as an EarthBox gardening system holds more
Custom shelf (see page 146) water than a traditional container within a reservoir hidden at the base of the
Tape measure planting container. This water is then absorbed slowly by the plant roots and
requires less watering than the typical container or wall unit, thereby saving
Level
water for you and your family.
Hammer or nail gun
earthBox gardening systems come in several varieties, most commonly regular
Galvanized 1-inch nails sized or junior sized. While large earthBox gardening systems function well for big
Heavy-duty nails plants such as tomato or eggplant, it is quite possible to use an earthBox Junior
Heavy-duty hanging hooks gardening system for a small patio living wall. Build a shelf system unit and water
for back of unit the plants through the water tube. Depending on air humidity, you may only have
Paint or stain to water once or twice per week.
Container soil
Plants
using Less Water
If you can combine the conceptual idea of watering less with the principle of
growing plants that can tolerate higher temperatures and require less water, you
have created a double layer of defense against drought conditions. Traditional
plants need less water when they are planted in a richer soil that absorbs mois-
ture. There are several soil mixes mentioned on page 33, and using a mix that
has traditional potting soil mixed with compost, worm castings, and other natural
ingredients increases its water-holding capacity immensely. Succulents or cactus
are also strongly drought tolerant but require heavier drainage.
Planting vegetables closer together actually helps conserve water. each plant
can shade and help preserve the other plant, and they share water this way. In
this fashion, living walls, by their nature, are water saving because they grow
plants in close quarters.
If you are not using an EarthBox garden system, your living wall should be
watered at the base of your plants in the evening or at night. This ensures the
plant will hold more water for a longer period of time. only switch to morning
watering if the living wall shows signs of powdery mildew or fungus. If the living
wall does not have an automated or self-watering system, it is best to water for
a longer period of time fewer times during the week. If the system is automated
or a self-watering system like the earthBox gardening systems, simply water the
containers according to system directions.
Plants with silver or white leaves, such as artemesia or dusty miller are often
drought tolerant. Flowering plants such as amaranth, cleome, Diamond Frost
euphorbia, lantana, oxalis, and verbena are quite drought tolerant. Herbs that are
drought tolerant can frequently be found in Mediterranean recipes: rosemary,
oregano, and sage are wonderfully hardy. Vegetables include cool-season growers
such as cabbage, kale, and chards. Summer-season growers that do remarkably
well with little water include peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli.

h o w To
BUILd AN uRBAN WAteR-sAVING GARdeN

Measure the wall that will hold the self-watering Attach heavy-duty hanging hooks on the back of
planters for customized shelf placement. the unit. Use the level to be sure both hooks are
Cut the wood to size if necessary. level for hanging.
Nail the 62-inch side pieces to the top and bottom of 10 Paint or stain.
the 28-inch 1 10s. 11 Using two heavy-duty nails, hammer nails into the
Place the remaining 28-inch 1 10s at 17-inch wall, check for level, then hang the unit.
intervals, nailing through the outside of the 62-inch 12 If using the earthBox Junior gardening systems,
board to hold the shelf in place. follow the directions to plant using the enclosed
Nail the 2 4 boards on the bottom of the unit. fertilizer and planting tray coverassemble, fill
Nail the 1 4 boards cut to 9 inches to the sides of with soil, add organic fertilizer, cut holes in the cover,
the unit at the top and bottom to form a rim trim. and plant the garden.
Nail the 1 4 boards cut to 29 inches to the front of 13 If using a different self-watering container, follow
the unit at the top and bottom to connect the trim. the directions as required.
Top the unit with the one 1 10 board cut to 30 inches.
Gather all the materials for planting:

unit, soil, trowel, and plants. This
living wall has basil, dusty miller,
red salvia, rosemary, and sweet
potato vine.

Build a Custom Shelf
2 1 10-inch boards cut to 62 inches 3"
4 1 10-inch boards cut to 28 inches
2 2 4-foot boards cut to 28 inches
17 58"
1 1 10-inch board cut to 30 inches
9" 17 58" 62"

Design by ricky rolon
Illustration by Bill Kersey
17 58"
3"
10"
Begin by laying out the supplies needed to build the shelf. Level Assemble the frame of the garden shelf.
and measure twice to make sure your project will work well.

Nail the shelves into place. Attach decorative trim and paint the Attach heavy-duty hooks to hang the unit
front of the unit. without additional support.
Pull out the water-saving planter kit while the paint is drying and
review the instructions.
Add organic soil amendments to the soil, then plant the plants Water-saving planters conserve water because of their bottom-up
accordingly. Follow the planter directions as indicated. watering technique that keeps roots cool and moist longer.

LIVING WALL MAINteNANCe
LIKE ALL GArDENS, living walls need regular maintenance. While they save enormous amounts of time because they do not
require weeding and can grow a lot more plants in a small space, they also need regular tender, loving care to maintain their
beauty. Consistent maintenance is truly the difference between a dead garden and lasting living wall.
There are many different varieties of living wall systems right within this book that you might be able to use for your own
garden. Planning for the gardens maintenance might better enable you to choose the right system and the right plants for
your vertical garden experience. Maintenance of the living wall system you choose is divided into two categories: growing
maintenance and fall maintenance.
Tip Growing Maintenance

RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE of course, the most obvious and consistent maintenance required after planting
2-PERCEnT InSECTICIDE SOAP a living wall is regular watering. Whether you hand water or have a water system
installed, each requires that you regularly check on the living wall to make sure
Large batch:
it is receiving the water it requires. With an efficient irrigation system, you can
5 tablespoons all-natural castile
soap to 1 gallon of water certainly make your living wall far more self-sustaining.
Living walls all require trimming and pruning upon occasion. remove dead,
Small batch:
diseased, or weak leaves and use your hand pruners to trim down overgrown
1 heaping tablespoon of
all-natural castile soap to areas as needed. Plants take time to grow, so pay attention as they grow in. If
1 quart of water you have a plant that does not adapt well, browns out, or even dies, you should
remove that plant and replace it with a substitute that works.
Mix the ingredients together,
making sure the soap is dissolved Should the plants you have installed consistently show signs of a severe
in the water, then fill a sprayer disease, such as a blight or fungus, treat organically whenever possible and
with the mixture. Spray the insects double-check that you are growing the right plants for the right conditions.
directly, as spraying the plant is not regular applications of organic fertilizer should be applied as needed throughout
sufficient. Soap clogs the insects the season either in water soluble form or as a top dressing to soiled systems.
pores, so most will die when
directly sprayed. Fall Maintenance
Although some gardeners around the world are able to keep both their traditional
and their living walls up year-round, the vast majority of gardeners close down or
slow down their garden in the late fall and winter. Some people prefer to pull all
the plants and soil out of the living walls and store the living wall inside for the
winter. others prefer to leave the unit outside attached to the fence or wall while
only cleaning out the plants and soil until it is replanting time in the spring.
Eventually, even in the warm tropical regions of the world where the plants
continue to grow year-round, the living wall will have to have its soil or root zone
replenished with nutrients and will have to be checked for root problems. This is
usually done in the fall every one to two years. Take all the plants out, divide or
remove those plants that are rootbound, pull the soil out, replace the soil with
freshly amended soil, and replant the plants.
148 LIVInG wALL MAIntEnAncE

Pests
Living walls attract butterflies, bees, and many flying insects and rarely attract
snails or other pests that are known to primarily be ground invaders. Mother
nature has a beautiful way of developing a balance in the garden, particularly in
relationship to bugs and other pests. Quite often, when you have too many buggy
pests on a living wall, birds come along and eat all the pests. Birds can also be the
pests themselves and eat or attack berries you might be growing. Then the solu-
tion is to temporarily net the living wall until the berries are done ripening.
For every pest there is a good creature that needs to eat dinner. That dinner
is the bad bug. Sounds harsh, doesnt it? yet there have been many times in my
garden that I have simply waited out a pest problem and another good bug or
animal came along to solve it for me. If I have a few flowers and their leaves are
eaten through or looking a bit rough, it is balanced by the fact that my vegetables
might not have any pests on them because they are all hanging out on those
flowers. In fact, I often grow companion plants specifically with that in mind.
Companion Planting You can build a stacking bin for

Companion planting is based on the concept of growing specific plants close to vermicomposting from wood if you have
each other so that you can attract beneficial insects or repel pest-like insects. you the carpentry skills, or you can find many
can easily grow companion plants together within our living wall system if you easy plans online for making one from a
are concerned about certain pests being a problem. plastic tub. Cool Springs Press
Attracting beneficial insects might help keep those bad insects in check. While
companion planting does not guarantee pest-free production, it can certainly
help in reducing the pesky issues. Trap cropping is a term that defines the
conceptual idea of attracting an insect to a crop, letting it suffer a lot of damage
by the insect, in hopes that the insect will never touch the nontrap crops. This
sacrificial system works well in my experience.
Trap cropping can work in two ways:
Plant a lot of the same plant. For example, if you are growing a microliving
wall farm in an urban situation, you plant an entire wall of cabbage instead of
just a few cabbages in the hope that the cabbage moth caterpillar might attack
and consume only a few of the plants instead of all of them. This is usually most
effective when the trap crop is planted much earlier than the primary crop so
that the pest hits the first crop and stays with it for the duration of the season.
Plant an entirely different species of plant. For example, you might plant
cilantro beside your cabbage plants in order to attract parasitic wasps, which will
hopefully attack the cabbage moth caterpillar.
Compost and Worm Castings

While it is possible to purchase compost and worm castings, you can also make
these ingredients yourself, depending on how much room you have, and save
a tremendous amount of money. Worm compost bins fit well in apartment or
condominium living conditions as they are kept indoors. Worms thrive best in
temperatures that range between 50 and 75 Fahrenheit. Temperatures can
be extremely hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter, so having a The stacking trays are filled with
kitchen composter or closet composter in a small living unit in an urban area can shredded newspaper, dirt, and kitchen
make a lot of sense. scraps. You rotate them in much the
Of course, you can leave the bins outside if the weather is mild, but this is same way as you would in a multi-bin
risky as you never know when you might receive a sweltering day or a frost composting bin. Cool Springs Press
LIVInG wALL MAIntEnAncE 149

during the night. Worms are funthey can also be greatly rewarding when
you purchase or build your own bin and make castings for your living wall.
HOW TO MAKE WORM CASTInGS

obtain a commercially sold worm bin or make your own. Try to find a local
source for Eugenia fetid worms, the type commonly sold for worm bins. You
will have the most success with this variety.
Mail-order travel can shake the worms up, so they might act strangely and try
to escape the worm bin upon arrival. Local worms often are raised in standard
worm containers already and are not as traumatized by a move. Long-distance
shipping seems to have a more profound effect on the worms, but if long
distance is the only way you can receive worms, you will have to go that route.
Worms are normally sold by the pound. Start with one pound. The more
compost you have, the more worms you will need, but be cautious about
Harvested worm castings lend a wide
ordering too many worms. you can determine if you need additional worms
spectrum of nutrients to your living wall once you start composting and see how much kitchen waste you regularly
garden. Crystal Liepa Photography produce for the worms to consume.
Prepare the bin by shredding plain black and white newspaper into narrow
strips. Paper shredders are great for this. Soak bare cardboard (without printing
or inks) in water, then tear it into four- to five-inch-square pieces and place
the pieces in the bin. Moisten the newspaper strips until damp but not sodden
and place them in the bin with the cardboard. Be sure to wring the strips out
thoroughlythere should be no standing water in the worm bin. Layer the
newspaper about 6 inches deep.
Add 2 cups of organic soil or compost to the mix to help with the worms
digestion. Toss everything together like a salad, then add the new worms and
cover them with a bit of the paper so they are not exposed to light.
Start feeding the worms slowly. If you overfeed your worms, your bin can
become smelly. Place 1 cup of kitchen scraps in a corner of the bin and cover
it with the newspapers. Worms like softer foods and smaller chunks rather
than large, hard food.
After several days, check on the worms and add another cup of scraps.
Keep this process up every few days.
Feed the worms shredded newspaper, paper egg cartons, wet bread and
pasta, fruit (no citrus), lettuce and other vegetables (such as squash, fresh or
cooked), crushed eggshells, tea leaves, dry leaves, and coffee grounds. Do not
use citrus, dairy, meat, oil, pre-packaged foods, salty food, vinegar, or sugar.
These items will trigger an imbalance in the worm bin system and make it smelly
since worms cannot digest them properly.
Ultimately the worms will eat everything in the binall the paper and food
scraps will be condensed into worm poop, or worm castings. This is garden gold
for the living wall systems that require soil. Worm castings do not smell or have
an odor beyond that of soil and are powerfully water retentive, so they make a
Youll find thousands of plans online perfect soil additive.
for building your own compost bin.
Choose one that fits nicely into your HOW TO MAKE TRADITIOnAL COMPOST
garden design. Cool Springs Press Making traditional compost is easy, but it does require a larger outdoor area
than a worm bin, so is better for homeowners, community gardens and allot-
ment areas, or shared apartment and condominium areas that allow compost-
ing. Much like worm composting, making compost is very easy and saves a lot of
150 LIVInG wALL MAIntEnAncE

money because it is the best way to create absolutely free nutrient-rich humus
for your living wall and garden.
There are many amazing reasons to use compost; it is remarkably good for
the environment because it recycles yard and kitchen waste and keeps it out
of landfills. Compost is filled with microscopic organisms that are incredibly
wonderful for your plants root systems. Soils that have heavy compost content
are also able to retain moisture for a longer period of time. While organic
compost does not have a heavy level of nitrogen, it is strong enough that it can
significantly reduce the need to use chemical fertilizers.
To begin composting, you need a place to compost, such as a composting bin
or a composting pile area. There needs to be a consistent mix of nitrogen-rich
materials, greens; carbon-rich materials, browns; and moisture. Below is a
list of browns and greens that make excellent ingredients in your compost pile.
never use meat or bones, as they can cause your pile to smell and attract
vermin. never use dog, human, or cat manure/feces, as they can contain
pathogens or diseases that could be harmful.
Examples of browns Examples of greens

Aged grass clippings Coffee grounds
Brown paper bags and Barnyard animal manures, such
shredded cardboard as llama, cow, horse, goat, chicken,
newspaper (black-and-white soy sheep, and rabbit
print is best) New grass clippings Most building centers and garden
stores sell many styles of compost bins
Shredded cotton and paper- Pulled weeds and plant prunings (do
based tissues and towels not add prunings from diseased plants) for making your own living wall garden
soil. pryzmat/Shutterstock
Dryer lint Tea bags with metal staple and
Straw string removed
Dead shredded leaves from Kitchen scraps (avoid items that will
healthy plants (do not use root, such as potato skins and onions,
diseased plants) unless they are ground completely)
Eggshells
Fresh flower cuttings
Seaweed and/or kelp
Composting seems to work best when the ingredients are exposed to the
ground. Place a few layers of sticks or straw on the bottom of the bin to leave an
airy drainage area. Start layering compost materials, mixing a brown layer and a
green layer, and then repeat this process over time. Heavy nitrogen items such as
green manuregrass clippings, clover, wheatgrass, or any heavy nitrogen source
will stimulate the composting process.
Speedier composting happens with good balance of carbon and nitrogen and
turning the pile regularly, either with a pitchfork, compost crank, or another turning
tool. Turn every few weeks. on average, it takes between three and four weeks
to make your own compost. Its good if your pile is hot to the touch, because it
indicates a heavier activity level in the decomposition process. To increase activity,
add even more green materials and place your composter in full sun. Additionally,
keep the pile moist, but not soggy. organic waste needs water to decompose. The
rule of thumb is to keep your compost pile as wet as a wrung-out sponge.
LIVInG wALL MAIntEnAncE 151

ONLINe PROduCt ResOuRCes
Part I
(pages 21 to 39)
Potting Scoop With Cutter by DeWit or The Shawna Trowel www.dewittoolsusa.com/dutch-hand-tools
CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator www.cobrahead.com/categories
Dramm ColorPoint Bypass Pruner www.rainwand.com/cutting.html
Dramm one Touch rain Wand www.rainwand.com/one-touch.html
Le Jardinet Garden Dibbers and row Markers www.lejardinetdesigns.com/garden-dibber
The Seedkeeper Seed Storage Unit www.seedkeepercompany.com
organic Mechanics Soil and Worm Castings www.organicmechanicsoil.com
Authentic Haven Brand Soil Conditional Tea Moo Poo Tea www.ahavenbrand.com
Part II
(pages 41 to 151)
Felt Wrap Living Wall Systems

Florafelt Compact Kit www.florafelt.com
Hydroponic Soilless Systems

Sagewall system www.sageverticalgardens.com
Window Box Living Wall Systems

Gro Products Vertical Growing System www.groproducts.com
Gronomic Vertical Garden Bed System www.gronomics.com
GroVert Living Wall Planter Kit www.brightgreenusa.com
Planting Pocket Systems

Woolly Pocket Wally Garden Wall Pockets www.woollypocket.com
Bracket-Hung Framed Art Walls

GroVert Living Wall Planter Kit www.brightgreenusa.com
Modular Planter and Bracket System

Living Wall Planter www.woollypocket.com
Compoclay Living Wall Planter www.compoclay.com
152 onLInE Product rEsourcEs

CONtRIButORs
Herbal Cocktail Garden Vertical Vegetable Farm
Gro Products Vertical Gronomic Vertical
www.groproducts.com www.gronomics.com
Growing System Garden Bed System
PlantsJung Seed Co. www.jungseed.com PlantsJung Seed Co. www.jungseed.com
Moss and Shade Wall Art Aphrodisiac Wall Garden

Metal Art Sculpture www.regalgift.com Compoclay Living
www.compoclay.com
Wall Planter
PlantsMoss and Stone Gardens www.mossandstonegardens.com
PlantsJung Seed Co. www.jungseed.com
Vegetable Balconies Garden
Freestanding Entrance Garden
Gro Products Vertical
www.groproducts.com
Growing System Florafelt Compact Kit www.florafelt.com
PlantsJung Seed Co. www.jungseed.com Plantsoptimara www.optimara.com
Fern Garden Culinary Kitchen Garden

Windswept ConeTierra Garden www.tierragarden.com Woolly Pocket Wally
www.woollypocket.com
Garden Wall Pockets
PlantsThe Planters Palette www.planterspalette.com
Cactus Living Wall
Aromatherapy Garden
Gardeners Supply Company
www.gardeners.com
Copper Vertical Wall Garden Bright Green GroVert
www.brightgreenusa.com
Living Wall Planter Kit
PlantsSchaefer
www.schaefergreenhouses.com
Greenhouses Inc. PlantsSchaefer
Greenhouses Inc.
Therapeutic Hanging Gardens
Money-Saving Garden
Vintage Jardin Jars www.syndicatesales.com
Living Wall Planter www.woollypocket.com
Mini Woolly Pocket Wally
www.woollypocket.com
Garden Wall Pockets
Smart Garden
Large black jack chain
local hardware store Bright Green GroVert
and hardware www.brightgreenusa.com
Living Wall Planter Kit
Hydroponic Pollinator Garden PlantsSchaefer
Greenhouses Inc.
Sagewall system www.sageverticalgardens.com
PlantsThe Planters Palette www.planterspalette.com Colorful Living Wall
Shade Pallet Garden www.groproducts.com
Growing System
Insulate-a-Wall Garden
Vitamin-Rich Culinary Garden
Compoclay Living Wall Planter www.compoclay.com
PlantsThe Planters Palette www.planterspalette.com www.groproducts.com
Growing System
PlantsSchaefer
Bookshelf Fence Garden www.schaefergreenhouses.com
Greenhouses Inc.
Galvanized tin metal planters www.syndicatesales.com
PlantsJung Seed Co. www.jungseed.com Urban Water-Saving Garden
earthBox Junior
earthbox.com
Succulent Living Wall Gardening System
Gardeners Supply Company PlantsJung Seed Co. www.jungseed.com
www.gardeners.com
Copper Vertical Wall Garden
contrIbutors 153

154 AcKnowLEdGMEnts

ACkNOWLedGMeNts
BOOKS CANNOT BE WrITTEN alone; there are so very many people that either helped contribute or helped inspire the
completion of this book. Thanks one and all for all your support, particularly my editor Mark Johanson and all the staff at Cool
Springs Press who truly believed in me and my goals for the book from the very beginning. Your saint-like patience in dealing
with my quirky mindset and driven work routine goes way above and beyond the call of duty.
I have the coolest family ever, and they support me while take photos of astounding living walls. Helen yoest was kind
Im locked in my office typing thousands of wordsthanks enough to allow me to feature an aphrodisiac garden based
to Luis and my daughters for helping me geter done while on her book concept. Then there were the spectacular
inspiring me to keep focused on what is really important in life. friends from various companies that allowed me to use
Thank you to all of the viewers of my blog, newspaper their plants and products in this bookAuthentic Haven
column, and videos. Your faithful support has been what has Brand Moo Poo Tea, CobraHead, Dewit Tools, Dramm,
cheered me on to find a way to connect the world with the earthbox, Le Jardinet, organic Mechanics Soil, Syndicate
conceptual idea of making a difference. Sales, The Seedkeeper Company, and Tierra Garden. And, of
rockin ricky rolon is my carpenter and good friend course, thanks to the living wall system companiesBright
hes responsible for helping me build and assemble nearly Green, Compoclay, Florafelt, Gardeners.com, Gronomics,
all the living wall projects in this book. you are marvelous, Gro Products, and Woolly Pocket.
ricky. Thanks for helping me, bro! The Dirty Glove Society Thanks to russell from optimara for the incredible
has held my hand through all the challenges of growing over tropical plants. David Spain from Moss and Stone Gardens
2,000 plants while writing this book and simultaneously sent his remarkably cool moss and gave me personal lessons
trying to manage my family life, a consulting business, a on how to grow it. Diana Stoll, David Tyznyk, and Greg
speaking tour schedule, and blogging commitments. your Milauskas at The Planters Palette allowed me to plant and
ever-present friendship encourages me to get it all done hang a half-dozen wall systems with their gorgeous plants
with a minimum of insanity. This season I had several garden at the garden center. Thank you all for your inspiration and
helpers who helped me weed and mulch in my primary friendship. Bret Schaeffer from Schaeffers Greenhouse also
garden so that I could work nonstop on the keyboard. deserves thanks for allowing me to grow several living wall
Thanks to Lori Ammons, Steve Deangeles, Sammi Garon, Bek systems at his garden center. Finally, I give my deep heartfelt
Lieto, Ren Silinis, and many other friends and helpers who thanks to Jung Seed Co. and the Zondag family who provided
randomly showed up with dirty pants on, gloves in hand, me with hundreds of plants for the majority of the living wall
and a giant smile on their faces to work in the garden. system plantingsyour plants were awesome and beautiful
There were many expeditions to the Chicago Botanic and perfectly wonderful in every way. Thank you all for
Garden, Ball Horticultural, and countless other gardens to believing in me and working with me.
AcKnowLEdGMEnts 155

CONVeRsIONs
Metric equivalent
Inches (in.) 1
64 32
1 1
25 1
16 8
1
4
1
8
3
5
2
2
1
8
5
4
3
8
7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 36 39.4
Feet (ft.) 1 3 3112
Yards (yd.) 1 1112
Millimeters (mm) 0.40 0.79 1 1.59 3.18 6.35 9.53 10 12.7 15.9 19.1 22.2 25.4 50.8 76.2 101.6 127 152 178 203 229 254 279 305 914 1,000
Centimeters (cm) 0.95 1 1.27 1.59 1.91 2.22 2.54 5.08 7.62 10.16 12.7 15.2 17.8 20.3 22.9 25.4 27.9 30.5 91.4 100
Meters (m) .30 .91 1.00
Converting Measurements
To Convert: To: Multiply by: To Convert: To: Multiply by:
Inches Millimeters 25.4 Millimeters Inches 0.039
Inches Centimeters 2.54 Centimeters Inches 0.394
Feet Meters 0.305 Meters Feet 3.28
Yards Meters 0.914 Meters Yards 1.09
Miles Kilometers 1.609 Kilometers Miles 0.621
Square inches Square centimeters 6.45 Square centimeters Square inches 0.155
Square feet Square meters 0.093 Square meters Square feet 10.8
Square yards Square meters 0.836 Square meters Square yards 1.2
Cubic inches Cubic centimeters 16.4 Cubic centimeters Cubic inches 0.061
Cubic feet Cubic meters 0.0283 Cubic meters Cubic feet 35.3
Cubic yards Cubic meters 0.765 Cubic meters Cubic yards 1.31
Pints (U.S.) Liters 0.473 (lmp. 0.568) Liters Pints (U.S.) 2.114 (lmp. 1.76)
Quarts (U.S.) Liters 0.946 (lmp. 1.136) Liters Quarts (U.S.) 1.057 (lmp. 0.88)
Gallons (U.S.) Liters 3.785 (lmp. 4.546) Liters Gallons (U.S.) 0.264 (lmp. 0.22)
Ounces Grams 28.4 Grams Ounces 0.035
Pounds Kilograms 0.454 Kilograms Pounds 2.2
Tons Metric tons 0.907 Metric tons Tons 1.1
Converting temperatures Fahrenheit Celsius

Convert degrees Fahrenheit (F) to degrees Celsius (C)
55 25
by following this simple formula:
50 20
Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature reading. 45 15
Then mulitply that number by 59. 40 10
For example, 77F 32 = 45. 45 59 = 25C. 35 5
30 Freezing 0
To convert degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, 25 5
multiply the Celsius temperature reading by 95, then add 32. 20 10
For example, 25C 95 = 45. 45 + 32 = 77F. 15 15
10 20
5 25
0 30
156 conVErsIons

INdex
Projects appear in bold face. beets chrysanthemum, 107
Page numbers in italics indicate for aphrodisiac garden, 101 cilantro, 37, 4344, 52, 98, 101,
a photograph or caption. Bulls Blood, 37, 39, 83, 135, 139 113, 139
greens, 52 cleome, 144
acrocarpous moss, 4749 as ornamental plants, 3839, 135 coleus, 79, 89, 135
aesthetics, 135136. See also design from seed, 125 collard greens, 39, 5152, 97, 139
ageratum, 73 small-space gardening and, 97 colony collapse disorder, 73
air plants, 11 vitamin content of, 139 color, 18, 36, 38, 135136
air pollution, 51 begonias Colorful Living Wall, 135137
air quality, 13, 5152, 107108, for color, 18, 135 companion planting, 149
131 dragon wing, 135 compost, 32, 32, 149151
alcohol infusions, 4344 Gryphon, 79 compost tea, 34, 34
Aloe vera, 93, 107 as part-shade plant, 89, 135 containers, 16
alyssum, 73, 125 biowalls. See living walls coreopsis, 83
amaranth, 143144 bisphenol A (BPA), 31 Crassula ovata, 93
angelonia, 73 block systems, 22, 23 creeping jenny, 66, 135
anise hyssop, 39, 119 bloodmeal, 34 cucumber, 101, 102, 125
annuals, 36-37. See also bok choy, 52 culinary gardens
flowers; vegetables bolting, 44, 97 Culinary Kitchen Garden, 113117
aphrodisiacs, 101102 Bookshelf Fence Garden, 8991 locations for, 113114
Aphrodisiac Wall Garden, 101105 broccoli, 102, 139, 143144 Vitamin-Rich Culinary Garden,
aromatherapy, 119121 Brookfield Zoo, 16 139141
Aromatherapy Garden, 119123 burros tail, 93 Culinary Kitchen Garden, 113117
arrowhead vine, 131 butterflies, 8, 73. See also pollinators cultivators, 26
artemesia, 119, 144 bypass pruners, 27
arugula, 39, 5152, 97, 139 dandelion, 52
asbestos, 90 cabbage deformed wing virus (DWV), 74
Associated Landscape Contractors of as aphrodisiac, 102 design
America (ALCA), 108, 131 Chinese, 139, 143 aphrodisiac gardens and, 102
attention restoration theory, 131 as ornamental plant, 38, 39 color and, 18, 36, 38, 135136
attention span, 131133 as oxygenator, 5152 insulating walls and, 87
automated irrigation systems, 31, 99, cactus starting from seed and, 125
109111, 143 about, 59 vegetables and, 97
edible, 6061 disease, 148
bag systems, 23. See also loose-medium handling, 59, 61, 62 Dracaenas, 107, 131
systems soil for, 33 dragon wing begonia, 135
Ball Horticultural Company, 10, 18 watering needs, 31 drainage
basil Cactus Living Wall, 5963 cactus and, 61
for aphrodisiac garden, 101, 102 caladium, 135 for insulation gardens, 84
for aromatherapy gardens, 119 calibrachoa, 83 recycled materials and, 90
as cocktail herb, 43 carbon sequestering, 84 soil and, 38, 56
for culinary gardens, 113 carrots, 125, 139 succulents and, 94
globe, 39, 65 cast iron plant, 131 drinking-safe water hoses, 27
as ornamental plant, 3839 celery, 39, 97, 101, 113 drought tolerance, 143144
as oxygenator, 5152 chamomile, German, 143 dry moss, 4749
as part-shade plant, 89 chemicals dusty miller, 144
Pesto Perpetuo, 39 culinary gardens and, 113114
purple, 83 dangers of, 2930 EarthBox gardening systems, 144
small-space gardening and, 97 and health, 114 Echeveria elegans, 93
Thai, 39 soil and, 32 Echiveria pulvinata, 93
for therapeutic gardens, 65 Chicago Botanic Garden, 12, 18, 19 ecowalls. See living walls
beans, 125 Chinese evergreen, 107, 131 endive, 39
bees, 78, 36, 7374 chives, 39, 113 energy efficiency, 9, 10, 13, 55, 8387
IndEx 157

English ivy, 107 Journal of Environmental mood, 120121
essential oils, 119 Psychology, 131 mosquito screens, 111
euphorbia, Diamond Frost, 144 moss, 4748
kale Moss and Shade Wall Art, 4749
felt wrap living walls, 24 for aphrodisiac garden, 101, 102 Mossandstonegardens.com, 47
fennel, 39, 101, 102, 119 for culinary gardens, 113 municipal waste, 89. See also recycling
Fern Garden, 5557 Dwarf Blue Curled, 39 mustard greens, 39, 52, 139
ferns, 5557, 57 Italian Lacinato nero Toscana, 39
fertilizers, 2930, 34, 34, 37, 56, 148 as ornamental plant, 3739, 83, 135 nasturtium, 37, 43, 44, 89, 125
flowering tobacco, 119 as oxygenator, 5152 national Aeronautics and Space
flowers redbor, 3839 Administration (nASA), 108, 131
drought-tolerant varieties, 144 from seed, 125 neonicotinoids, 36
edible, 19 shady conditions and, 89, 135 new Guinea impatiens, 79, 89, 135
scented, 119 small-space gardening and, 97 nicotiana, 73
using, 43 vitamin content of, 139 noise reduction, 13, 83
food pantries, 37 Winterbore, 39 nutrition, 101102, 139140
Forrester Research, 132
Freestanding Entrance Garden, Lampranthus blandus, 93 oregano
107111 landscape fabric, 80 Amethyst Falls, 39
fruits, 38, 39 lantana, 73, 83, 144 for aromatherapy gardens, 119
fungicides, 2930, 73 lavender, 39, 43, 44, 73, 119 for culinary gardens, 113
lemon balm, 119 drought tolerance of, 143
garbage, 89. See also recycling lettuce, 39, 5152, 89, 9798, 113, 125 Greek, 43, 73
gardening, benefits of, 1012 licorice plant, 83 as oxygenator, 52
geraniums, scented, 119, 121 light exposure, 29. See also shady conditions and, 89
Gerbera daisy, 107 shade; sunlight small-space gardening and, 97
golden creeping jenny, 135 lima beans, 139 for therapeutic gardens, 65, 66
golden pothos, 107 living walls Variegated, 39
benefits of, 710, 19 vitamin content of, 139
hardening off, 36 defined, 8 ornamental cabbage, 39
heat island effect, 10, 74 purposes for, 13 ornamental hot peppers, 39
hens-and-chicks, 93 styles of, 24 ornamental kale, 39
Herbal Cocktail Garden, 4345 synonyms for, 8 oxalis, 144
herbicides, 2930 weight of, 24
herbs lobelia, 89 pallets, 13, 7981
for aphrodisiac garden, 101 Longwood Gardens Conservatory, pansy, 37
for aromatherapy gardens, 119 11, 16 parsley, 52, 9798, 101102, 113, 139
for culinary gardens, 113 loose medium systems, 22, 23 peace lily, 107, 131
drought-tolerant varieties, 144 love-in-a-mist, 125 peas, 139
harvesting, 44, 45 Pelargonium tomentosum
as ornamental plants, 38, 39 marigold, 37 Chocolate Mint, 121
as oxygenators, 5152 Mason jars, 6869 Pelargonium tomentosum
pollinators and, 37 mat systems, 2223 Peppermint, 121
for therapeutic gardens, 65 medicine plant, 93, 107 peony, 43, 44
using, 43 microclimates, 30 peperomia, 131
vitamin content of, 140 microgreens, 39 peppermint, 43
homemade systems, 22-24, 25. mildew, 31 peppers, 39, 97, 139, 143
See also recycling mint perennials, 39
hoses, 27 for aphrodisiac garden, 101 pesticides, 2930
houseplants, 107108, 131 chocolate, 83 pests, 2930, 149
Hydroponic Pollinator Garden, 7377 for culinary/cocktail gardens, philodendron, 107, 131
hydroponic systems, 23, 24, 7377 4344, 113 phthalates, 31
as ornamental plant, 37, 39 pink vygie, 93
impatiens, 79, 89 as oxygenator, 5152 planting pockets, 7071
infusions, 4344 for pollinator gardens, 73 plants
Insulate-a-Wall Garden, 8387 shady conditions and, 89 ecological concerns in choosing,
insulation, 8387 small-space gardening and, 97 3536
irrigation systems, 31, 99, 109111, 143 for therapeutic gardens, 65 maintenance of, 148
modular planters/bracket styles, 24 starting from seed, 36
jade plant, 93 mondo grass, 135 sun requirements of, 29
jellies, 44 Money-Saving Garden, 125129 watering needs and, 31
158 IndEx

pleurocarpous moss, 47 spinach, 38, 39, 51, 89, 113, 125, upcycling. See recycling
plush plant, 93 139, 143 Urban Water-Saving Garden, 143147
pocket systems, 22, 2324 standalone systems, 52 utility expenses, 7, 10
pollinators, 78, 13, 3637, 7374, 84 stonecrop, 93
polka dot plant, 135 storm water management, 8384 Vegetable Balconies Garden, 5153
pothos, 107, 131 strawberries, 39 vegetables
potting scoops, 26 Succulent Living Wall, 9395 for aphrodisiac gardens, 101
pruners, 27, 27 succulents for culinary gardens, 113
purple basil, 37 plant choices, 93 design and, 97
purple kohlrabi, 39 soil for, 33 drought-tolerant varieties, 144
sunlight and, 9394 fertilizers and, 34, 37, 38
radicchio, 39 temperature and, 9394 harvesting, 97
radishes, 125 watering needs, 31, 108 heirloom, 36
rain barrels, 31 See also cactus microclimates and, 30
rain wands, 27, 28, 143 sunflowers, mini, 125 nutrient content, 13
recycling, 13, 22, 2324, 47, 79, 8990 sunlight, 29, 61, 9394 as ornamental plants, 3839
rhubarb, 39, 143 sweet peas, 125 as oxygenators, 5152
root systems, 30 sweet potato, 139 small spaces and, 9798
rose, 43 sweet potato vine, 39, 44, 79, 83, vitamin content of, 139140
rosemary, 39, 43, 65, 66, 119, 139 89, 135 watering needs of, 31
row markers, 28, 28 Swiss chard verbena, 73, 83, 144
Royal College of Agriculture for aphrodisiac garden, 101, 102 Vertical Vegetable Farm, 9799
(Circencester, England), 131 Bright Lights, 83 violet, 43
for culinary gardens, 113 Vitamin-Rich Culinary Garden,
sage, 73, 143 drought tolerance of, 143 139141
salvia, 73 as ornamental plant, 3739 vitamins, 139140
savory, winter, 143 as oxygenator, 5152
scent, 67, 102, 119123 from seed, 125 walls
scissors, 27, 27 shady conditions and, 89, 135 insulations of, 8387
Sedum acre, 93 small-space gardening and, 97 locating/placing, 20, 29, 30
Sedum morganianum, 93 vitamin content of, 139 strength of, 24
sedums, 18 wall sculptures, 4849
seed starting, 28, 36, 125126 tarragon, Mexican, 39 wall styles, 24
self-watering containers, 144 Therapeutic Fabric Pocket Garden, wall systems, types of, 22, 2223, 23
Sempervivum tectorum, 93 7071 water conservation, 13, 143147
Senecio Spp., 93 therapeutic gardens, 13, 65, 67, 6871 watercress, 52, 139
shade Therapeutic Mason Jar Garden, 6869 watering
Fern Wall Garden, 5557 thyme of acrocarpous moss, 48
geraniums and, 121 for aromatherapy gardens, 119 cactus and, 61
low-light houseplants, 131 for culinary gardens, 113 gardens to minimize, 143144
plants for, 79, 89, 135 drought tolerance of, 143 options for, 31
Shade Pallet Garden, 7981 Golden Lemon, 39 ornamental edibles and, 38
Shade Pallet Garden, 7981 lemon, 39, 43, 65, 119 succulents and, 94, 108
Smart Garden, 131133 silver, 39 techniques, 31
Smell and Taste Treatment and small-space gardening and, 97 time of day and, 31
research Foundation, 102 for therapeutic gardens, 65 tools for, 2728
snake plant, 107, 131 tillandsia, 11 wall strength and, 24
snapdragon, 37, 43, 89 tomatoes, 38, 97, 143 watering cans, 28
soil tools, 2628 watering wands, 27, 28
for cactus, 61 torenia, 135 weeders, 26
chemicals and, 3233 toxins, 27, 31, 114 weeding, 8
for Fern Wall Garden, 55, 56 trap cropping, 149 window boxes systems, 23, 24
for insulation gardens, 8485 trimming, 148 worm castings, 32, 34, 149150
loose medium systems and, 23 tropical plants, 18, 3637
ornamental edibles and, 38 trowels, 26 Xel-Ha eco-Park (Mexico), 14
plants and correct, 30 turnip greens, 52, 102
recipes for, 33 turnips, 97 Zee Zee plant, 131
for succulents, 94 zinnia, 73, 125
sorrel, 52 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Spanish daisy, 73 Landscape and Human Health
spider plants, 79, 107, 131 Laboratory, 51, 135
IndEx 159

Meet Shawna Coronado
Shawna iS an author, columnist, blogger, professional photographer, spokesperson, and keynote
speaker specializing in green lifestyle living, organic gardening, and culinary topics who campaigns for
social good. She is also an on-camera spokesperson and social media personality. Shawnas garden has
been featured in many venues, including PBS television, wGn tV news, and all over the web. her organic
living photographs and stories have been shown both online and off in many international home and
garden magazines and multiple books. Meet Shawna by connecting online at her blog and website at
www.shawnacoronado.com.
160 Meet Shawna Coronado


Grow A Living Wall - Create Vertical Gardens With Purpose Pollinators - Herbs and Veggies - Aromatherapy - Many More (2015)

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RG O W A L I V ING W A LL

Pollinators Herbs and Veggies Aromatherapy Many More

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 1 11/10/14 12:17 PM

Project Manager: 2015 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 2 11/10/14 12:17 PM

Do not give up. Keep learning and growing.

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 3 11/10/14 12:17 PM

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 4 11/10/14 12:17 PM

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 5 11/10/14 12:18 PM

Are you concerned about bees and

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 7 11/10/14 12:18 PM

What IS a Living Wall?

More Fun, Less Work

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 8 11/10/14 12:18 PM

Easy Sustainable Choices

With paint and upcycled materials,

How To MAKE A DIFFERENCE wITH A LIVING wALL 9

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 9 11/10/14 12:18 PM

Why should everyone Garden?

Boring brick walls in urban areas can be improved by adding

Building a beautiful setting with a living wall can increase

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 10 11/10/14 12:18 PM

How to MAKE A dIFFErEncE wItH A LIVInG wALL 11

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 11 11/10/14 12:18 PM

Why Living Walls?

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Vertical gardens can be artistic as well

How to MAKE A dIFFErEncE wItH A LIVInG wALL 13

42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 13 11/10/14 12:18 PM

While most living walls are tightly

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Side yards can be used as intensive

How to MAKE A dIFFErEncE wItH A LIVInG wALL 15

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Living walls vary from full-wall

Outdoor kitchens have become all the

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Have a dull, underappreciated area

How to MAKE A dIFFErEncE wItH A LIVInG wALL 17

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This growing fence at the Chicago

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Growing massive numbers of plants in a smaller area can

How to MAKE A dIFFErEncE wItH A LIVInG wALL 19

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42102 - Grow A Living Wall_001-160.indd 20 11/10/14 12:20 PM

GETTING STArTED ON GrOWING your first living wall is

Which Living Wall System Is Right for You?

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Building a system for a living wall can be as simple as putting

Hanging pocket systems have wool-like pockets sometimes

22 PArt I: How to crEAtE LIVInG wALLs

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wHIcH LIVInG wALL systEM Is rIGHt For you? 23

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24 PArt I: How to crEAtE LIVInG wALLs

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