Vertical Gardening

Now...this is the kind of vertical garden I could really get into...



Via Patrick Blanc's Vertical Gardens - Musée du quai Branly in Paris | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

 

it would not go with your shoes....

 

2 weeks into this cycles vertical garden. Not as "Lush" as the OP's but on its way!

 

Mmmm, gardening...

 

It's all about being different. BTW, Chell, I don't think that green's your color.

 

My lettuce, spinach, chard, and basil are ready. 45 days today from seed.

 

@BLKFJDC - that is awesome! A couple questions...

I'm impressed that so much green grew out of such small planting areas. In post 3, it looks like you're using some kind of weird growing medium, rather than a potting mix or plain old dirt - what is that?

For that matter, what can you tell us about the planter, and what are you doing with it to get those things to grow like that?

 

The system is called Tower Garden (Grow Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs | Aeroponic Tower Garden Vertical Garden). My wife and I have been using Juice Plus for a long time and the rep we get that from turned us on to these. Its basically a 20 gallon reservoir at the base that has a small pump that pumps water to the top and then it rains through drain holes over the root system. The plants are planted in rock wool with vermiculite around the seeds. The System costed us around $500 and came with everything including seeds. Granted I have 2 now and have found some of the supplies for cheaper online as well as my seed bank. I check the tank once a week for PH and adjust accordingly. I also will add more water as it evaporates. Every gallon of water I add gets 20ml of 2 different nutrients. The nutrients are from Tower Garden. I grew up with a large garden & greenhouse and as an adult living in an apartment saw no way to grow more then a few random plants. I have 2 tower gardens going on different cycles on a 6'x12' balcony. I plant 4 weeks apart and with that I can produce all the tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, Swiss Chard, Herbs, Zucchini my wife, dog, and I need for 10 months of the year. the two coldest months of winter I shut it down. I am into my second year and based of my math they both have been paid off. The electricity costs me $1.45-$1.80 a month depending on the season. My electric rates go up and down. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. I do not work for or have anything to do with the Tower Garden company, just a huge fan that has had great success.

 

I have seen these juiceplus towers, a lady in the hood sells the vitamins and has the tower. Since I don't have an extra $500 I have been thinking that there has to be a way to build one off these. The main tube looks just like a large piece of PVC pipe with holes cut in it. It seems to follow the topsy-turvey concept but the tower feeds itself.

 

You could easily make your own. If I was to build my own, I would just do it in totes with holes for the net pots and not do the tower thing. The tower on the tower garden has segments with holes to allow the water to rain down on the root system. Its not one solid tube. After each season I take mine apart to clean and get ready and it seems like it would be difficult to get the same effect with out spending more then what the tower garden costs. If you decide to take on the challenge please let me know. I would be willing to take pics/help in any way. I also feel I am pretty good with the Hydroponics aspect of the system.

 

vertical tower hydroponic systems - Google Search

 

Hydroponic vertical garden using recycled PET bottles.



Via: 45 Ideas of How To Recycle Plastic Bottles | Daily source for inspiration and fresh ideas on Architecture, Art and Design

 

@chelloveck that is the most amazing this. I really want to try this.

 

I have a TG on the way. I am still doing traditional, in ground planting, but since I work at JuicePlus+ I get a little discount on the equipment.

As far as the price goes, you can pay for the TG in one lump payment or spread it out over 12 months.

And yes, some/most of the consumable supplies are cheaper when sourced locally or from alternate online stores.

The DIY towers are nice, but I never seem to have the time to build something like that.

 

I love my TG. Currently were on our 8th or 9th cycle and am not buying much produce these days.

 

@BLKFJDC glad to hear that (and JP is glad to hear that as well )

 

The top two pictures are shoe holders. I thought it was a great idea. It would have to have manual watering but the shoe holder leaves enough space so the plants would have growing room. The plastic would holder the water better but the down fall with the plastic would be if you have a rainy season, your plants would run a chance of rot due to lack of drainage.

 

Garden Tower 2: 50-Plant Composting Container Garden

Amazon.com : Garden Tower 2 - The Composting 50 Plant Organic Container Garden : Planters : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

Vertical gardening | Vertical Garden | Mighty Fine Gardens

 

This guy finally got his website up after the kickstart campaign

Art Garden Growing System