The Art of Gardening with a GreenStalk Planter
So you want to grow a garden but have no yard. Maybe you watch people on Instagram growing massive, sprawling kitchen gardens, and you want in on the fun. You're growing herbs in a kitchen window but want to do more. I getcha ya. It's not impossible, you can grow a surprising amount of food from an apartment balcony or patio, with the right equipment and a little creativity.
The majority of people in their 20s don’t have access to a yard to grow to their heart's content with no restrictions. For me, it’s difficult knowing I won’t always have access to a large spacious yard I can do whatever I want with. Vegetable gardening is not always sold or marketed as an inclusive activity or lifestyle depending on where you live. The reality is that there are more innovative ways to grow food now than ever before, making gardening accessible to everyone, and every lifestyle. So here’s my answer to “I can’t garden because” questions. GreenStalk Vertical Planters.
Last year I bought three GreenStalk Vertical planters for the first time, wanting to expand my gardening space so I could grab herbs and greens from right outside of the kitchen. I was immediately impressed with this container gardening solution and realized it was perfect for people who wanted to garden but didn’t have a yard or a large space. Small-space gardening is accessible for you.
So why choose vertical gardening? Not only does growing vertically save space but also allows you to experiment, and try new varieties quickly and easily without a ton of commitment. These vertical gardens are so easy to set up and have a relatively minimal start-up cost.
What is a GreenStalk Vertical Planter?
GreenStalk Vertical Planters are stackable planters that maximize your space and come with a built-in watering system. They are ideal for patios, decks, balconies, and other small spaces gardens. Designed to grow a lot of food in a small space, the GreenStalk planter has six planting pocket tiers. The structure allows you to grow pretty much anything from flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. The watering system allows each level to get proper water by passing through the holes of the planter from above. GreenStalk has created multiple types including the original and the leaf planter. Each holds different amounts of soil; one for larger rooted plants and the other for smaller plants like salad greens that don't require much space.
Why did I choose GreenStalk?
These planters have a very appealing look, come in multiple colors, and help maximize my growing space, allowing me to try new things without taking up more inground space. Plus, watering these containers is super easy. I first learned about GreenStalks from Roots and Refuge farm. Jess grew strawberries and lettuce greens in the planters because they help keep critters away and provide a cleaner harvest when grown vertically. I thought they were a fantastic idea, and since she raved about them consistently, I had to give them a try and I’m so glad I did. I picked three to try. The 5-tier original and 7-tier original, and one of the 7-tier leaf planters.
GreenStalk Planting Tips
Your soil level will lower over time.
When filling your planters with potting soil, try lightly packing it down as you fill. Over time as you, the water, and everything settled, the soil level will lower. If too low, your smaller seedlings will have a hard time reaching the light, and some roots may become exposed. There is a line showing where to fill as well on the inside of the container.
Don’t neglect your soil. Fertilizing is the key.
Once you add potting soil, there are no other nutrients being released in the soil since it's a container and doesn't have access to the earth's natural nutrients. Don’t neglect your soil. To ensure you have the best success, plan to fertilize regularly as you would any other potted plant. I have had success with a fish emulsion fertilizer by adding it to the water, but you could also try adding in a granular fertilizer before planting and mixing it into the soil. Compost would also be a great idea. You need to add lots of nutrients for a productive harvest.
Keep plants watered on hot days.
As with any container on hotter days, they can dry up fast. Keep an extra eye out and plan to water in the mornings and evenings to prevent dry, sad plants. You can also try adding straw on top of the soil to keep in moisture and prevent such rapid evaporation.
3 GreenStalk Planting Plans to try
The All Greens Planter
My favorite planting plan is the all greens planter. Fill with a variety of cut and come again lettuce mixes, kale, baby bok choy, butter lettuce, parsley, cilantro, dill, basil, tarragon, and rosemary all do well in these containers. You will always have clean, perfect produce right outside your door. The garden in the pictures was grown in a 7-tier GreenStalk Leaf Vertical Planter. It has less deep pockets for vegetables with more shallow roots, ideal for greens and herbs.
Some favorite varieties to try:
Sweet Strawberry Planter
Another yummy option is using your GreenStalk Planter for strawberries. I like dedicating a whole 5-tier GreenStalk Leaf Vertical Planter for this. This allows all the strawberry runners to spread and create more strawberries! I like this height because it’s easy to see all the ripe berries and it keeps critters away, ensuring your strawberries are always clean. I prefer to buy packs of pre-started strawberry plants from the garden center of the greenhouse to make filling up the planter super easy. Mix in lots of compost to your soil before planting the strawberries.
The Kitchen Garden
Try growing a combo of cherry tomatoes, baby bell peppers, green onions, and herbs like basil, dill, cilantro, and green beans. Layer in a few of each and you’ll have endless meals and snacks all summer long. I prefer growing this garden in a 5-tier GreenStalk Original Vertical Planter to ensure the roots all have enough space as pictured in the photo.
Some favorite varieties to try:
