H a n g in g g a rd e n
V e rtic a l p la n te r
For a cheap and easy vertical garden, think PVC
pipe. It's tough, long lasting, and can be painted
in any colour you like. Just adjust the number
and size of the pipes to suit your needs.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
■ Suitable quantity 1 m x 100mm-dia PVC pipes
■ 100mm grate caps (2 for each PVC pipe)
■ Geotextile fabric
YOU’LL ALSO NEED
Primer; Dulux Weathershield Low-Sheen acrylic
in Requiem (purple), or colour of choice; drill;
jigsaw; multigrips; potting mix; perlite; scissors
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1
Cut PVC pipes cut into sections (you can
also use a handsaw to do this). Here, lengths of
420mm and 680mm were used.
STEP 2
Mark out planting holes, measuring
90mm wide and 80mm high. Allow for 3 planting
holes in longer pipes and 2 holes in shorter pipes.
Drill starter holes in corners of planting holes.
STEP 3
Using starter holes, cut out each of
the planting holes with a jigsaw.
STEP 4
Fit grate cap to bottom of each planter.
STEP 5
Cut a piece of geotextile fabric and
push it into bottom of pipe. This will prevent
any potting mix from falling through grate cap.
STEP 6
Cut a length of geotextile fabric to line
interior space of pipe. Roll this into a cylinder
and insert through open top end of pipe. Add
grate cap to top end of each planter.
STEP 7
Paint pipes, using 1 coat of primer,
followed by 1 -2 topcoats. Here, purple was used
as a contrast to green foliage of
Dianella
‘Little
Jess'. Cut T-shaped planting slits in fabric to allow
fabric to fold back over root balls.
STEP 8
To prepare a single pipe for hanging,
run wire rope through pipe and secure. To plant
up, remove top grate cap and fill with enough
potting mix to come up to first planting hole.
Position first plant, and repeat for remaining
plants. Replace cap. Hang individually or, to
hang multiple pipes, see over page. ►
For project supplies, see Stockists page
M a k i n g
a s c r e e n
You can either hang
these pipe planters
individually, or
connect them in
series to create a
hanging-pot screen.
For full instructions,
see over page.
Holes for plants
Turnbuckle
Cup hook
Vertical Garden Diagram
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, MAY 2011 bhg.com.au 1 4 9
