196 Western Sky Circle, Longmont, CO 80501(303) 775-7412

info@trustgreenguys.com

FacebookLinkedinTwitter
Green Guys
Green Guys
Longmont & Boulder County Landscaping, Sprinklers, and Other Lawn Services
  • Home
  • About
    • About Green Guys
    • Our Mission Statement
    • Testimonials
    • Service Area
    • Our History
    • Our Warranty
    • Careers
    • Referral Program
    • Job Performance Review
  • Services
    • Landscape Services
      • Landscaping Overview
      • Landscape Design and Build
      • Lawn Care
      • Fertilizer Program
    • Sprinklers
      • Sprinklers Overview
      • Sprinkler Installation
      • Sprinkler Upgrades
      • Sprinkler Winterization
      • Sprinkler Start Ups
    • Commercial Grounds Maintenance
      • Grounds Maintenance Overview
      • Estate Owners
      • Property Managers
      • Homeowners Associations
    • Service Links
      • Request a Quote
      • Service AreaWe are available for landscaping, sprinkler repair and installation, and grounds maintenance services in Boulder County and surrounding areas.
  • Request a Quote
  • Specials
  • Resources
    • Materials We Use
      • Cobbles
      • Concrete Blocks
      • Decorative Boulders
      • Flagstone
      • Flat Decorative Rocks
      • Mulch and Bark
      • Rocks
    • Galleries
      • Custom Cut Natural Stone
      • Fences
      • Fire Pits
      • General Landscaping
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Paver Patios, Pathways, & Driveways
      • Retaining Walls
      • Sprinkler Systems
      • Water Features
    • Lawn & Landscape Instructions
      • All Lawn & Landscape Instructions
      • Spring Checklist
      • Summer Checklist
      • Fall Checklist
      • Winter Checklist
      • CNGA Monthly Lawn Care and Gardening Checklist
      • All Resources
      • Recommended Services
  • Blog
  • Contact
Menu back  
 

If You Can’t Grow OUT, Grow UP

May 27, 2011DIY, Gardens, UncategorizedBy Green Guys

This week’s tip of the week from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado brings a great idea of growing plants “up” instead of “out” when space is limited. Read more.


 

Vertical gardening and “green walls” are a global trend that hasn’t been seen much yet in Colorado.  We don’t have the year-round climate to support expanses of green walls like you see in more temperate areas.
Still, we can apply the principle of growing UP when we can’t grow OUT.  A garden grown on a wall can grow a crop of farm-fresh produce, a bouquet of flowers or a chef’s collection of tasty herbs.
Growing vertical gives everyone a shot at being a gardener.   Even on a tiny loft patio with minimal floor space, there’s room to grow a variety of herbs, veggies and flowers because the growing is done up the side of a wall.  In small spaces like this, the garden becomes an artful backdrop to outdoor living just like the landscape that surrounds a suburban patio.
Vertical gardening is similar to any other type of gardening.  The plants have to match the exposure, so sun-loving plants need to grow on sun-bathed walls and shade-loving plants need to be on shaded walls.
Here are some basic how-to’s for vertical gardening:
  • Be sure you have access to water as vertical gardens in sunny areas in particular, will dry out faster than gardens in the soil.  Running a drip line from the sprinkler system to wall-mounted containers is an easy way to water them.
  • Match the needs of the plants to the sun exposure of the wall.
  • On a large wall with tiers of plants, place the more sun-loving plants on top with shade-lovers below.
  • Use a variety of plants to get an assortment of both color and function.
  • Remember to fertilize regularly so that plants grow large and cascade over the container.
  • Bear in mind the vertical garden is as seasonal as other containers and won’t survive the winter months.
Great plants to include in a sunny vertical garden:
  • Veggies that thrive in hot weather–tomatoes, peppers, cukes, squash, melons.
  • All types of herbs are great, but herbs like cilantro and sage will attract beneficial insects.
  • Sun-loving annual flowers add color to the mix.  Portulaca, petunia, zinnia, ipomeas, lantana, verbena, cosmos and callibrachoa are all good choices.
If you have a small space, or want to make a larger one even more productive, consider growing UP as much as OUT.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
About the author

Green Guys

Related posts
Pressure Vacuum Breaker Draining instructions for home sprinkler systems
Video: How To Quick Drain Your Sprinkler System
October 8, 2018
How to Protect Your Landscaping From Hailstorms
June 12, 2018
How Much Can New Landscaping Increase Your Home Value?
April 11, 2018
Deep Watering in the Winter in Colorado
January 16, 2018
Snow Impacts on Woody and Herbaceous Plants
November 18, 2016
Winterization Schedule Test
July 25, 2016
Contact Green Guys
196 Western Sky Circle
Longmont, CO 80501

(303) 775-7412

Providing excellent lawn care and landscaping services to Longmont, Boulder County, and surrounding communities.


Get a Quote


Find & Review Us Online
Search for Tips and Information from Green Guys

icon of a sprinkler head Request a Landscaping Quote Today!

Sign Up for Offers, Tips, Discounts, and Updates

This Months’ Lawn Care Tip:
  • Outdoor Space: December Tips of the Month
    December 1, 2022
Green Guys’ Specials
  • Make sure your sprinkler system is working with a summer sprinkler inspection
    Sprinkler System Tune-up, Installation, Renovations & Add-ons
    January 6, 2020
  • Green Guys can set up your summer landscaping for years to come
    Sustainable Landscapes
    March 6, 2018
Contact Green Guys
196 Western Sky Circle
Longmont, CO 80501

(303) 775-7412

Providing excellent lawn care and landscaping services to Longmont, Boulder County, and surrounding communities.
 Find & Review Us Online


Ready to Work With Green Guys?


Get a Quote


Sign Up for Offers, Tips, Discounts, and Updates

© 2021 Green Guys Property Maintenance, Lawn, and Landscape - (303) 775-7412| Site by DogCat.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.