Small space gardening is increasingly popular and, as most new-build houses have tiny gardens, it’s important to make the most of every inch of space, both aesthetically and productively. Here, @northern_horticulturist Richard Bowman explains how to make a vertical veggie tower that allows you to grow a load of fresh produce in a very small space.
Browse our full range of vegetable and fruit plants when you’re ready to start growing.
How to make a stacking vegetable tower
There are many simple ways to make the most of a small space garden. If you’re handy at the old DIY, you can quickly transform old pallets into productive and sustainable growing walls. Planned properly, this can produce a really high yield. But one of my favourite methods of vertical growing is also one of the easiest – a veggie tower. It also happens to be a great way to upcycle your old pots. Here’s what you do:
- Gather together your old plant pots and sort them into decreasing size order. You’ll need 5 or 6 pots for each tower, starting with a large one for the base.
- Fill your pots with a good quality compost as your plants are going to be living in them for a whole season. I highly recommend Moorland Gold.
- Poke a strong garden cane into the back of the biggest pot. This is what is going to give your pots stability as you stack them on top of each other. Push the cane through the drainage hole in each pot.
- Carefully build your vertical stack, ready for planting.
What to grow in a stacking vegetable tower
Space saving vertical herb tower
Image courtesy of Richard Bowman
For the bottom tier, I choose plants that need lots of root space like carrots and peas. These can be inter-planted with leeks, which do most of their growing above soil level.
On the next level you can start planting fruit and veg that grow both up and down, so things like spring onions, strawberries and herbs too.
As you get higher, choose veggies that are less dependent on water, as these pots retain less moisture than the lower pots. Crops like radishes, lettuce and chives do well here.
Don’t forget to add a few companion plants like marigolds and nasturtiums which attract pollinators and act as pest control too. Most importantly – let your creativity run wild.
How to care for your stacking vegetable tower
With any small space growing you have to be conscious of the weather…. Too hot and your plot can dry up very quickly and, if it’s very wet, your pots can get water-logged. Keep an eye on your tower and monitor it carefully. Bear in mind that plants at the top of the tower can run out of water quicker than those below.
Use high quality compost to give your vegetables all the nutrients they need and make sure your tower is in a sheltered position where it can’t be blown over by the wind.
Good luck!
If you want to grow your own in a small space, Richard’s veggie tower is a great idea. Read our best expert advice on growing vertical veg for even more inspiration.
