Growing upwards with the ECOFLEX® Vertical Gardening Wall Giveaway from New Age Garden® (ARV $180!!)

​In case you were wondering…the three other inspirational ideas were to add more pillows, paint your wood floors and install an art ledge. Who knew?

Today it’s all about growing vertically, both outside and gasp…inside, too!

More and more homeowners are reaping the benefits of planting indoors to perk up drooping spirits come January. The health benefits of live plants are numerous. 

Give yourself about two hours to assemble the product and pick a time when you are not rushed. 

Now when you see the product fully assembled it seems as if there’s no way these v-shaped slots are going to hold soil without serious spillage. 

But they do! Have faith. You’ll need about two large bags of potting soil. I used Miracle-Gro. 

If you cram plants in your vertical garden, you’ll need less soil and I love the fuller look. 

It’s probably easiest to start planting the top row and work your way downward. You also want to put the plants with deeper roots at the top. Those with shallower roots can go toward the bottom.

If you plant deeper rooted plants at the top, you are giving those roots more space to expand and grow. This is because the seven v-shaped shelves are not closed off at any of the levels, so the roots from the top shelf can technically grow right to the bottom of the garden.  

Be aware that on the bottom rows, roots will have less room to expand and grow. 

This vertical garden stands tall at about 44 inches giving the roots on the very top shelf about 38 inches to grow downward. The top shelf can also accommodate larger one gallon plants.

For the remaining six shelves, I would stick to 4″ inch pots.

Also realize that the top shelf gives you lots of upright space whereas the bottom shelves are slanted, making them slightly smaller.

​Living plant walls have existed since the Hanging Gardens of Babylon! So it doesn’t get any trendier than this for 2020!

But why not consider planting indoors? You’d have to safety attach it to the wall, but you’d want to do that anyhow whether you choose to use this product indoors or outside. 

Nothing can make your home look richer, more exotic and chic than beautiful plants cascading over in a green wall. 

​I’m considering using my vertical garden as a privacy fence this summer. It will be placed on my new patio to block the view. 

​Or, it may become your new outdoor divider/privacy fence. 

Flower, herbs, edibles….the choices are endless. What do you love to look at? What plants inspire you? 

But I may be tempted in spring to take it outside for herb planting purposes. Basil I love you! 

If you are familiar with Buffalo, NY than you know about our crazy weather. Shipping plants like strawberries and herbs this time of year is not for the faint of heart.

The plants arrived in pristine condition~ amazing considering that our weather just dipped in temperature. I felt bad for the plants knowing they spent their holidays on a super cold truck with a driver who probably doesn’t have much plant love.

But Greenwood Nursery hailing out of Tennessee rose to the challenge. Cheryl from Greenwood Nursery is a brave soul shipping plants to Buffalo in all this snow, cold and wind.

The plants came tightly packed in newspaper and netting both of which no doubt helped them from freezing on the truck!  

I shot Cheryl a picture of the vertical gardening wall and she worked like magic to fill it with the right plants. She must have had a vision in the night! Just the right amount, too. 

Truly, a living green wall. 

I seem to lack this gift of spacial organization! I love how she selected a variety plants, many scented like rosemary, lemon thyme, mint and lavender to give this vertical garden even more boost! It smells delicious. 

But you plant what you love! Cheryl graciously selected plants not only for smell and texture but their draping ability.

​So whether you are looking to add a few trees or shrubs to your yard, build up your perennials beds or simply add more groundcover to be more maintenance-free, Greenwood Nursery will have what you are looking for.

And yes, they have that kiwi plant you were seeking and didn’t find elsewhere.

​But even if you don’t know what you want, that’s fine. Their customer service is so helpful. They will aid your search to locate the right plants for your space, yard and personality. 

I was sent a Blue Spruce Sedum which I joyfully added to my rock garden. Cheryl also sent Grosso lavender which I can’t wait to use for wreath-making in spring. I wish you could get a whiff of this plant with me, intoxicating!

​One of the strawberry plants had a tiny strawberry still attached. In December. In Buffalo, NY! Oh joy of joys. 

When June finally arrives, I will have to share pictures of my newly formed strawberry raised bed when the berries form and ripen.

Not to mention the wonderful scented rosemary plants Cheryl included. Confession time: I used some stems in my beef stew and on my roasted potatoes. Herbs always make me so hungry.

​And that Woolly Thyme. Holy moly. I’ve never seen woolly thyme in any of the local garden centers even in spring. That’s the power of ordering from an online nursery.

Selection is supreme. 

You will love the Little Bunny Miniature Fountain Grass. Grasses are incredible and addicting once you start to grow them. They add height and interest to any garden bed.    

If it’s annuals you love, go for it. Lots of petunias and impatiens for a vibrantly colored garden. Herbs? Equally compelling for scent and cooking.