Herb Walls: A Fresh Take on the Living Wall

Posted in Garden

3 May
Herb Walls: A Fresh Take on the Living Wall image 1

Herb Walls: A Fresh Take on the Living Wall

Green walls are attractive and conjure images of healthy and verdant living. An edible green wall takes these ideas a step further. Imagine having large herb walls in dining rooms, living areas, kitchens, outdoor patios and atriums.
Not only will you love the idea of the fresh herbs being used in their dishes, but your appetites will also be whetted by the enticing aroma of fresh herbs. There are endless possibilities for creating herb walls for indoors and outdoors.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF LIVING WALLS

The possibilities of crafting a living herb wall are numerous. They range from DIY to commercially fabricated. Ideas include:

  • Using a cloth, hanging shoe organizer and filling it with potting medium and herbs.
  • Lining crates with landscaping cloth and stacking them on top of one another.
  • Installing a metal wall and planting the herbs in heavy duty magnetic containers.
  • Layering wall sconces.
  • Installing commercially fabricated cells that are designed for the specific purpose of living walls.

HERBS

Just about any herb can be used in an edible wall. Many herbs such as oregano and thyme will trail and spill. Other herbs such as basil and sage can add a leafy fullness to the wall. The aesthetic of the wall will change and improve as the herbs grow and fill out the wall. In addition to herbs, other leafy vegetables can be included. Consider colorful plants such as ‘Bright Lights’ Swiss chard, beets, and leafy lettuces.

TWO IMPORTANT FACTORS

Two significant things must be kept in mind when planning and crafting these edible walls. These plants will require water and light. You may want to consider using a sub irrigation system to avoid a mess when it comes to watering the herb walls. Other systems include removable traps that collect excess water. To provide enough light the walls must be positioned either outdoors, near a bright window that will provide long hours of indirect exposure, or fitted with grow lights.

Whether you are planting these vertical gardens indoors or outside, you will be maximizing space and creating beautiful works of art. From home kitchens to dining rooms herb gardens are taking on this new form with ease. Try something new in your indoor landscapes by including living and edible walls.

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