If you’re looking to go green and reduce your ecological footprint, vertical gardening is a perfect choice. As more people embrace greener lifestyles, a vertical garden in the kitchen not only adds style but also maximises space, allowing you to grow more plants even in limited areas.
Whether you live in a spacious villa or a cosy apartment in Dubai, vertical gardens can thrive anywhere.
Read on to discover how to install a vertical garden in your kitchen and enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables.
What is Vertical Gardening?
Vertical gardening is a method of growing plants upwards, using structures like trellises, walls and containers to support them. This approach maximises space, making it perfect for urban areas.
Using this method, you can grow herbs, vegetables and flowers in limited ground space. Vertical gardening enhances your home’s aesthetic appeal. It also promotes better air circulation and sunlight for the plants. Similarly, this leads to healthier growth and higher yields.
Different Types of Vertical Gardens
Wall-Mounted Planters
- These are individual pots or containers attached to a wall. They can be arranged in various patterns to create a visually appealing display.
- Wall-mounted planters are easy to install and maintain, making them a popular choice for kitchen gardens.
Hydroponic Systems
- Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead. In vertical hydroponic systems, plants are grown in vertical columns or towers.
- This type of system is highly efficient and allows for precise control over nutrients, leading to faster plant growth and higher yields.
Modular Green Walls
- Modular green walls consist of pre-planted panels or modules that can be easily attached to a wall. These panels often include built-in irrigation systems for easy maintenance.
- They are ideal for creating large, lush vertical gardens with a professional finish.
Trellis Systems
- Trellis systems use a framework of lattices or grids to support climbing plants. These structures can be freestanding or attached to walls.
- Climbing plants such as ivy, beans and tomatoes are commonly used in trellis systems.
Examples of Plants Suitable for Vertical Gardens in the Kitchen
Herbs
- Basil, parsley, mint, cilantro and thyme are excellent choices for a kitchen vertical garden. They are easy to grow and provide fresh herbs for cooking.
Leafy Greens
- Lettuce, spinach and kale thrive in vertical gardens. These greens can be harvested regularly for salads and smoothies.
Small Vegetables
- Cherry tomatoes, peppers and radishes can be grown in vertical gardens. Their compact size makes them suitable for vertical spaces.
Edible Flowers
- Nasturtiums, pansies and violets not only add color to your garden but are also edible and can be used to garnish dishes.
Microgreens
- Microgreens such as arugula, beet greens and mustard greens are quick to grow and packed with nutrients. They are perfect for adding a fresh touch to meals.
All in all, vertical gardens offer a versatile and efficient way to incorporate greenery into your kitchen.
Benefits of Growing A Vertical Garden in Your UAE Home
Growing a vertical garden in your UAE home offers numerous advantages, from maximising space to improving air quality. Here are some key benefits that make it a worthwhile addition to any living space:
- Space Efficiency: Ideal for small spaces, perfect for urban living.
- Improved Air Quality: Purifies air and increases oxygen levels indoors.
- Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal: Adds natural beauty and elegance to any home.
- Temperature Regulation: Provides natural insulation, reducing air conditioning needs.
- Fresh Produce: Ensures a steady supply of fresh organic herbs and vegetables.
- Mental Well-being: Reduces stress and promotes mental health through gardening.
- Sustainability: Reduces carbon footprint and encourages organic practices.
- Easy Maintenance: Modern systems with automated irrigation make upkeep simple.
Before you go on and start searching for garden decor tricks, let us show you how to install a garden in your kitchen.
Find The Perfect Place
When building a vertical kitchen garden, ensure you choose a spot with maximum exposure to sunlight. If you must use a place that doesn’t receive direct sunlight, arrange for incandescent, fluorescent lights, high-intensity discharge lamps (HID) and light-emitting diodes (LED).
However, the best way to make the most of your vertical kitchen garden is to choose a space with sufficient sunshine.
Choose the Right Planters
To build a vertical garden in your kitchen, evaluate the types of planters that best suit your needs. You can opt for hanging baskets or pallet planters. While individual hanging baskets will beautify your culinary space, pallet planters with multiple slots are more cost-efficient.
Shelves are also a good way to create a vertical garden in your kitchen. You can add plants in a set of containers and then place those containers on a shelf.
People renting villas in Dubai with larger kitchens can also create vertical garden walls using plastic sheets, fabric, and frames.
- Build a frame with a PVC pipe (around 3-4 inches), four-way joints and elbows.
- Attach a plastic sheet to it. The plastic will support the fabric layer and keep the water away from the wall.
- Add two layers of fabric directly to the frame using steel staples and galvanised screws.
Select Your Plants
Not all plants or herbs will thrive in your vertical garden. Ensure you choose the right plants for Dubai’s climate. Lemon balm, parsley, sage, thyme, basil and coriander are ideal for your kitchen garden. If you prefer stronger herbs, rosemary and chives are excellent additions—they add a lot of colour to the space as they grow.
You can easily place these plants in containers, pallets or hanging baskets in your kitchen. However, if you have dedicated an entire wall to evergreens, you need to plant them in the outer layer of the fabric.
Choose the Right Soil
Plants in a vertical garden are in a controlled environment, meaning they don’t have a natural supply of air, water, or nutrients. Therefore, they need soil that helps them overcome these limitations.
While almost all types of soil (clay, sandy, silty, peaty, chalky) can work for a vertical garden, high-quality loamy soil is the best option. It allows for proper drainage, enabling water to pass through and air to reach the roots for better oxygen absorption.
Make sure to choose soil that meets the specific requirements of your plants. For example, loam and sandy soils are ideal for tomatoes, while loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is suitable for growing peas. Keep these factors in mind when making your decision.
Another important thing to remember is that soil needs essential minerals like vermiculite, perlite and bentonite. Vermiculite and perlite provide adequate potassium and magnesium, while bentonite offers lightweight arability. You can also add sand to your soil mixture to improve drainage.
Use a Fertiliser
While the right soil can meet some of the plant’s nutritional needs, fertilisers are also essential. Liquid fertilisers are ideal as they provide an instant nutrient boost. You can apply a liquid fertiliser by sprinkling it from a watering can or spraying the entire plant, allowing it to absorb nutrients immediately. Alternatively, you can attach a fertiliser injector to the irrigation valve, which will automatically add fertiliser to the irrigation system.
Water Frequently
In a vertical garden, most plants develop shallow roots due to limited growing space. Additionally, there isn’t much soil to retain moisture, so the plants cannot hold water for long periods. Therefore, you need to water them frequently.
The best way to check if your plant needs water is by examining the soil. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water the plant. If you have a large vertical fabric garden wall in your kitchen, consider setting up a water irrigation filter. It will help provide consistent moisture to the plants throughout the fabric.
Have Spare Plants Available
As plants in vertical gardens often have shallow root systems, some may perish over time. And, also, you can consider incorporating small balcony designs to maximise your outdoor space.
Therefore, it’s wise to cultivate extra plants and keep them in reserve containers. This ensures that when a plant dies, you can easily replace it with a healthy one without disrupting the tranquillity of your charming green space!
FAQs
You can grow herbs like parsley, basil, and thyme, as well as vegetables like cherry tomatoes and lettuce.
Vertical gardens may need watering more frequently due to limited soil and shallow roots. Check the soil regularly and water when it feels dry.
Yes, you can use artificial lights like LEDs to provide sufficient light for your plants if natural sunlight is lacking.
Incorporating a vertical garden into your UAE home is a smart investment. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic appeal and market value of your property, but it also promotes a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking to maximise your space, improve air quality or simply enjoy the therapeutic benefits of gardening, a vertical garden is an innovative solution that delivers on all fronts. Embrace this green trend and transform your living space into a vibrant, eco-friendly haven.
And with that, we conclude our guide on creating a vertical garden for your kitchen. Don’t forget to explore the offerings at Dubai Garden Center for all your gardening needs.
