This is a rare post that really only applies to GreenStalk Vertical Gardening. If you don't have a GreenStalk, then this post really won't apply to you. But check out our other blog posts for articles like the one that talks about how everyone can have a green thumb or how to reuse soil in containers!
One of the most common questions about vertical gardening is, what can you plant and how much can you grow? In this post I'll cover both of those questions. The GreenStalk has deep planters that were designed for growing vegetables vertically - that's why you can fit so many plants in such a small space!
3+ Plants Per Pocket
Lettuce (non-heading), Radish, Carrots, Green Bush Beans, Cilantro, Beets, Spinach, Sugar Snap Peas
This list should also include smaller flowers like pansies and draping plants like creeping jenny. If you want your GreenStalk looking beautiful from the time of planting, and you're just growing ornamental annual plants, then there's no need to worry about over-crowding. Just plant what you can fit in the pocket. For example, we may plant 2 pansies and a creeping jenny in a single pocket. For perennials, stick to 1 per pocket as they will need extra room to grow.
1 Per Pocket
Tomatoes, Potatoes, Eggplant, Broccoli, Kale, Lettuce (heading), Peppers, Cabbage, Cucumber, Corn, Herbs, Strawberries, Onions, Cauliflower, Collards, Squash, Zucchini
This list includes pretty much everything else. When in doubt, just plant one per pocket and see how it does. You may decide next year that you could've crowded them in more but it's better to err on the side of caution then to over-plant. Of course, if you seed in too many plants, you could always thin them out later by just cutting the stems. Never thin plants by pulling out seedlings because you may damage the roots of the plant next to it.
Even though this is a general guide to how many plants per pocket, do whatever works for you. Some people like their plants more crowded because it gives the planter a more full look. Others want the max yield per plant so they give them some more space. Whatever you plant, be sure to send us a photo of your garden, we'd love to see it!
Happy Gardening!
Cody Catherine Thomas
grow@greenstalkgarden.com
