BY HOME & GARDEN
RUNNING out of room in the backyard? From hanging baskets and climbing vegetables to productive fences and vertical planters, growing up rather than out can transform even the smallest space into a thriving garden.
As housing blocks become smaller and outdoor spaces more compact, gardeners are increasingly having to make every square metre count.
But when there is nowhere left to grow out, there is always the option of growing up.
Vertical gardening has become a clever way to pack more plants into courtyards, patios, balconies and smaller backyards, using hanging baskets, fences, walls, trellises and tiered planters to create gardens without sacrificing precious ground space.
It is not just about making the most of a small yard either. Growing vertically can add height and interest to established gardens, disguise unattractive fences, provide additional privacy and turn otherwise unused walls into productive growing spaces.
Hanging baskets are perhaps the simplest place to start. Flowering favourites such as petunias and calibrachoa can provide cascading colour, while ferns are well suited to protected and shaded positions.
They can also earn their keep in the kitchen.
Strawberries can tumble over the sides of baskets, while herbs such as thyme, oregano, parsley and mint can be grown in containers where conditions are suitable.
Even cherry tomatoes can be grown above ground in sufficiently large containers with strong supports.
One of the biggest considerations in South East Queensland is water.
Hanging pots generally dry out much faster than garden beds because they contain less soil and are exposed to air on all sides.
During hot and windy summer days, they may require particularly close attention.
Fences are another valuable piece of gardening real estate that often goes unused.
Adding a trellis, wire or mesh can turn a plain boundary fence into a productive growing area, allowing climbing plants to head skyward rather than sprawling across the garden.
