Vertical Gardening Grow Up, Not Out, for More Vegetables and Flowers in Much Less Space

by Fell, Derek

• ISBN13: 9781605290836
• ISBN10: 1605290831
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-04-26
• Publisher: Rodale Books

Summary

The biggest mistake gardeners make each season is starting out too big and then quickly realizing their large plot requires too much weeding, watering, and backbreaking labor. Vertical gardening guarantees a better outcome from the day the trowel hits the soilby shrinking the amount of "floor" space needed and focusing on climbing plants that are less prone to insects, diseases, and animal pests. Notable author and gardener Derek Fell has tried and tested thousands of varieties of vegetables, flowers, and fruits and recommends the best plants for space-saving vertical gardening. His grow-up, grow-down system also shows which ground-level plants make good companions underneath and alongside climbing plants. Best of all, many of Fell's greatest climbers and mutually beneficial plants are available in seed packets in every local garden center. With a mix of DIY and commercially available string supports, trellises, pergolas, raised beds, skyscraper gardens, and topsy-turvy planters, the vertical garden system reduces work, increases yields, makes harvesting easier, and can be practiced in spaces as small as a container or a one-by-four-foot strip.Vertical Gardeningfeatures 100 color photos of the author's own vertical methods and showcases beautiful, troublefree perennials, shrubs, vegetables, annuals, and fruit perfect for this new, rewarding way to garden.

Author Biography

Derek Fell is a writer and photographer and the author of more than 100 books. He lives and gardens in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at historic Cedaridge Farm, where he cultivates an award-winning garden of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Table of Contents

Vertical Gardening: The Sensible Way to Garden Effortlessly	p. iv
What Is a Vertical Garden?	p. 1
Choosing a Site and Preparing the Soil	p. 19
Arbors, Arches Pergolas, and Trellises	p. 27
Planters and Supports	p. 37
Containers and Hanging Planters	p. 61
Composting	p. 71
Seed Starting and Propagating	p. 83
Controlling Pests and Diseases	p. 103
Controlling Weeds, Watering, Fertilizing, and Pruning	p. 123
Vegetables for Vertical Gardens	p. 133
Fruits for Vertical Gardens	p. 237
Ornamental Annual Vines	p. 261
Ornamental Perennial and Woody Vines	p. 285
Designing with Ornamental Vines	p. 343
Sources	p. 356
About the Author	p. 358
Index	p. 359
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