Let Your Paver Wall Pull Double Duty As A Vertical Garden

Things that have more than one use are smart design. If you have an existing retaining wall, or you need to build one, consider morphing it into a vertical garden. Take advantage of gaps and crevices between stones by filling them with soil and plants, outfit a solid wall with rows of planters, or start from scratch with specially-made vertical garden retaining wall blocks. These heavy-duty plastic or concrete pockets hold both soil and plants and are used to build up a retaining wall like other bricks.

Of course, the simplest way to make a vertical garden part of your outdoor space is to take advantage of a retaining wall you already have. Walls constructed from stones often have gaps among the pavers that beg to be filled with plants. Start by packing the existing dirt firmly; you'll be filling the space with quality soil and the plant itself. Try filling cracks by funneling soil through a small PVC pipe cut in half lengthwise into the space. Tuck soil and a plant into each space; water them daily until they're well established.

If your retaining wall is more about function than form, hang planters along its face with masonry nails and hooks. You can purchase products like this lightweight yet durable vertical garden planter from ZOENHOU. For lower maintenance, invest a bit more with self-watering pockets like these stackable vertical planters by Worth Garden. There's no need to purchase anything new when you can repurpose old household items. Try this vertical garden hack that repurposes an old IKEA bed base, or turn your old plastic containers into beautiful hanging planters to adorn the wall.

If you're thinking of hardscaping your yard with a new retaining wall, give some thought to one constructed with bricks made for planting. Several companies make three-sided bricks that provide both structural support and growing space with drainage. According to Mark Woolbright from Greenwall Ventures, these types of vertical garden retaining walls provide wildlife habitat, help control water runoff, lower temperatures around it, and simply give back visual enjoyment to people who live or work near them.

The bricks act like high-walled trays that hold soil and plants, but they're also strong enough to stack and support rows of other similar blocks. Empty bricks are laid out in a sort of checkerboard pattern that allows plants to grow out of the open space atop each brick. In ideal conditions, the plants will spread and cascade over the surface as they grow, fully covering the wall material.

If you're leaning toward a more natural look, stone retaining walls will look amazing in your yard while providing a perfect canvas for vertical gardening. Opt for stones with irregular shapes that leave plenty of nooks and crannies for planting.