FOOD-PRODUCING GREENWALLS

More people are growing vegetables in a home garden to avoid the rising cost of living and to live more sustainably. However, many dwellings no longer have the open backyards of yesteryear. This collision of trends – growing more food in less space – sets the stage for the increasing popularity of utilising greenwalls for domestic food production.

Vicinity Greenwall is cementing its reputation as the world’s most versatile vertical garden system through successful food-growing trials conducted by horticulturists around the globe. The modulated system can scale up or down for a range of applications, from the smallest kitchen garden to a large commercial operation. Adding to its flexibility are the three ways it can be configured to suit the user’s preferred level of garden maintenance.

Urban food gardens built with Vicinity Greenwall can be as simple as a single 20-pot kit relying on hand watering (no irrigation system) or as sophisticated as a freestanding greenhouse setup maintained by a pumped water reticulation system. The beauty of the fully automated configuration is that plants are continuously delivered nutrients that are recycled with the water. And, of course, you don’t need to remember to water your veggies.

For those who prefer hands-on garden care, or for areas without access to plumbed water, you’ll just need the basic kit – no tank, pump or timer required. Just install the frame and the pots and you’re good to go. As you’ll be irrigating by hand, ensure there is sufficient drainage below the greenwall to absorb water run-off.

With a nearby water supply, Vicinity Greenwall is easily connected to a tap and timer for controlled irrigation. You will still need drainage below to catch the water run-off, but you won’t need to dust off the watering can to keep your plants thriving.

With both a water and power supply, irrigation can be fully automated via a pump, drain and timer. This means you won’t need drainage as the water is recycled through the system. A monitoring system can also be fitted to alert you of any irrigation problems. Use this configuration when there is no way to collect run-off, when extra nutrients are needed for food production, or to optimise water usage via recycling. Then sit back and wait for harvest time.

Decide the right configuration by considering your client’s needs:

• What size greenwall is required?
• Do they have water and power supply?
• How much maintenance time are they willing to invest?
• If manually watering, what drainage option will they use (freestanding trough planter or floor drain)?

The surging self-sufficiency trend aligned with ever-decreasing space available for home gardens means vertical gardens are the perfect solution. Whether your clients want bucketloads of summer strawberries or need to grow a diverse range of herbs and vegetables to feed the family across seasons, Vicinity Greenwall ensures healthy plants right up to harvest time.

To find out more visit Martin Kellock Pots & Planters online.