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Good for areas short on space vertical gardens also let gardeners who have difficulty bending enjoy tending plants.
Step 1: Make the Planter
Step 2: Choose Your Plants
Step 3: Make Cutouts in the Lid
Step 4: Drill Holes in the Dividers
Step 5: Secure the Dividers
Step 6: Add the PVC Pipe Spacer
Step 7: Add the Potting Mix
Step 8: Position the Plants
Buy planter kits online for about $60 from floragrubb.com or make the planter using divided plastic containers such as shoe holders or boxes for screws and nails.
Rows of soil and plants are held in place by the dividers in the box, which are secured using cable ties attached through holes drilled into the box and the lid.
Geotextile fabric prevents soil falling through drainage holes and helps retain moisture for plant roots.
At the base 1 1/2" PVC pipe acts as a spacer to angle it away from the wall. The entire planter is spray painted with primer then matte black for a sleek finish.
Avoid using big plants that put a lot of weight on the roots and may be dragged out of the soil. Plants that thrive in small amounts of soil are best.
For direct light, choose succulents such as echeveria, sedum and sempervivum. They’re also drought tolerant, making them easy to look after.
For a shaded wall, choose bromeliad, small-leaved ferns, birds nest, calathea or begonia as they prefer limited direct sun.
Mark around the compartments on the lid about 2" from the edges, scoring the plastic repeatedly with a utility knife to cut through.
Remove the dividers and use a 1/6" drill bit to make holes in the base edge, about 2 3/4" from the sides. Drill matching holes in the box then make a hole in the center of the divider 1/4" from the top with two corresponding holes into the lid.
Position the dividers in the box and use cable ties to secure. Drill 1/6" holes through the box and corners of the offcuts from the lid then use 1/2" x 1/10" stainless bolts, nuts and washers to secure. Drill 1/6" drainage holes through the box base.
Drill 1/6" holes through the base of the box and the ends of a 8 1/4" x 1 1/2" PVC pipe then use 1/2" x 1/10" stainless bolts to secure. Spray the box with a plastics primer, leave it to dry then spray two coats of matte black paint and leave to dry.
Cut geotextile fabric to cover the drainage holes then use potting mix to fill the compartments, pressing it in firmly. Position another piece of fabric over the box, cut it to size then attach the lid with cable ties through the holes in the lid and dividers.
Starting at the base, cut holes or horizontal slits in the fabric, feather out the roots of each plant and use a spoon to insert it into a gap, firming the soil around the roots, adding more if needed. Attach the planter to a masonry wall using anchors.