Make a vertical succulent garden
Do you love the idea of raising a vertical garden? Because they make use of your wall space, they’re perfect for greening up a small courtyard or apartment balcony. Plus, the best bit about this recycled stunner is that you can combine your creative DIY powers with your green thumb. Have a go, it’s easy-peasy!
Step 1 Get your hands on a decommissioned untreated timber pallet (ask for pallets at your local hardware, fruit shop or recycling yards) then reconfigure the top and bottom decking boards to form pockets. You might need to source timber decking from a second pallet to complete the pockets.
Tips 1. Remember to think about which way the pallet garden will hang on your wall and to allow for timber to close the bottom of each pocket 2. Each pocket will be divided into two by the middle rail of the pallet 3. You need to leave the top of each pocket open for planting
Step 2 Once happy with the layout of pockets, affix rearranged decking to pallet rails with exterior PVA and exterior screws.
Step 3 Seal the timber by painting the pallet assembly with self-priming exterior paint in a colour you love – here, a charcoal-inspired shade stands out against a rusty red wall. Let dry. The paint will prolong its life, but remember it won't last forever!
Step 4 Use scissors or a utility knife to cut geotextile fabric (or weed mesh) to size, allowing enough to line the individual pockets on each side of the middle rail.
Step 5 Push fabric into the pockets, then nail or staple fabric to pallet. Ensure there are no gaps where soil can spill out.
Step 6 Attach pallet garden to your wall by attaching sturdy hooks to each side of pallet, towards top edge. Loop chain over hooks and vertical garden assembly from anchors in your wall.
Step 7 Fill pockets with cacti and succulent potting mix, then plant up with your selection of succulents. Use a mix of vertical growers and low spillover varieties to create an interesting effect. Keep water to a minimum for two reasons: this plant selection isn’t all that thirsty, and to avoid soil spilling out of the pockets and messing up your wall.
