Aside from flowers you can grow vegetables vertically too.
I t’s a well-researched and prov- en fact that cultivating indoor plants improves the air qual - ity of a space and can subtly boost your mood. While the plants may simply be a ficus tree or herbs on a windowsill, indoor greenery has the capacity to develop into a produc - tive food space or a living art exhibit that beautifies your home in a truly unique way. Green walls were once considered elaborate and expensive, with watering and care being com - plex issues in a vertical indoor space. However, there are now a wealth of companies and products that offer creative solutions and are making it possible to green homes, offices, walls, and buildings in simple and innovative ways. First developed in 1938 by Stanley Hart White, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Illinois, green walls, vertical gardens, living walls or “vegetation- bearing architectonic structures and
systems” can create privacy and style in an outdoor space or bring sublime verdure to your home or office. Installing floating planters or a vertical hanging garden system is the simplest way to start a living wall. You can find pocketed modular grow bags online ($10-$200 that often come with automatic watering systems). Wall vases and hanging planter pots can be easily attached and maintained with proper drainage construction (example: wallygrow. com). You can also recycle plastics, wood and metal to build a custom frame to fit your space. Choose a location or wall that receives a decent amount of natural light and is easy to access for care and maintenance. Planting mediums usually consist of soil, stone, and/or water, and you’ll need some sort of built-in irrigation system or features that promote proper drainage and air flow. When choosing what to
plant, consider what grows well in your climate, plants that have similar water and light requirements and whether you want uniform or diverse texture. Want to grow a vegetable wall? Choose plants that grow well in partial sun or are categorized as cold-hardy. GrowUp Vertical Farming offers innovative urban farmer kits to fit a variety of spaces. (growupverticalfarming.com) Finally, if you want the greenery without the work, you can follow in the footsteps of social media and install an artificial green wall. Most greenery panels are UV-resistant and can be installed indoors or outdoors. You won’t get the oxygen benefit, but it’ll make a nice backdrop to your everyday life. N
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