It’s been a while since my last Balcony Garden post and there have been some successes (so much lettuce and coriander!) and some failures (not sure what happened to my oregano!) along the way. Now that Spring has arrived it was time to get serious with some new plants & some TLC for those that remain, as well as a new addition to my balcony garden – a freestanding vertical garden*!
I was lucky enough to be sent this freestanding vertical garden from Garden Up and wasted no time getting it set up, and getting plants for it. It’s the same brand as my wall unit that my parents bought me, and this one was even easier to put together (I didn’t even need to call on my dad for his power tools!). One of my favourite features of it is that as the trays are staggered you can have taller plants in each of the trays without them hitting the tray above, which isn’t always possible in the version attached to the wall. You do just have to make sure you don’t plant too far back in the trays to make sure you clear the lip of the tray above.
The other great thing is that as it’s freestanding it is perfect for renters, or for people who don’t have solid walls to their balcony or courtyard. Freestanding vertical gardens like this are also great for growing herbs right near your kitchen door even if you’re not short on space!
Once it was set up it was time to get planting! I decided to go with a combination of flowers, strawberries, chillis and herbs (yep, I’m trying oregano again!) to give me a good mix of colour and edibles.
I’ve positioned the freestanding vertical garden on the opposite wall to my wall planter (and next to my lemon tree) so now both sides of my little balcony are full of plants and will produce delicious food for me to cook with. A perfect use of space I think!
I haven’t neglected the original unit either! Some of the trays are still going strong but others I had either eaten everything (all that lettuce!) or had never filled the tray in the first place! The first column is now home to parsley, cherry tomatoes, sage and rosemary.
The second column has spinach, tomato, chives and that ever flourishing coriander (lucky I love Mexican and Thai food!)
I’ve also got pots of mint and lemon thyme on the table, and will fill a third pot with more basil when I can get my hands on some!
So much greenery in such a little space! Now I just have to try and keep them alive!
If you’re interested in either of the planter units I have, Garden Up is sold through Bunnings, and I definitely love mine! I will keep you posted on more of my balcony gardening adventures as (hopefully) everything starts to grow and flourish, and I can share some more recipes using my very own plants!
Full disclosure, the Garden Up freestanding vertical garden was sent to me for editorial consideration, but all thoughts are most definitely my own. For more info feel free to check out my disclosure policy!
Share the Love
I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Pearl
October 1, 2014 at 5:29 pm (10 years ago)Hi Liz, your balcony garden looks very cute.Lucky me, I have an old fashioned quarter acre to garden…but I’m green with envy at your ability to grow coriander, it always dies on me 🙁 however…!! My oregano crop is so rampant and robust I have to tear out bale loads to stop it taking over the herb garden.
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 2, 2014 at 7:46 am (10 years ago)I wish I could give you some coriander tips but it grew like that without any real effort on my behalf! My new oregano plant is looking happier than the first one ever did so fingers crossed it stays that way or I’ll be coming to you for help!
Hazel Owens
May 6, 2016 at 12:12 am (8 years ago)I think the vertical gardens you have look great! The one you got most recently definitely looks convenient, since the staggered placement doesn’t limit the height of the plants. However, I really love the charm of the wall planters too. It just goes to show that anyone can have a garden, regardless of the amount of space you have. Thanks for sharing!