Focus on... Vertical gardening

Think vertically, with even modest spaces, and you'll be amazed at what is possible. Lucy explains how you can turn those high hopes into game-changing fruit and veg

- Lucy Chamberlain

WITH many of us trying to cram as much fruit, veg and herbs into our gardens as possible this year, what better time to look at spacesaving growing methods? Let's make the most of our walls, fences, trellises, boundaries and beyond, as we make this the year we all grow our own food.

Weather watching

The past two years has galvanised a whole new gardening tribe to make more of even modest-sized spots. Existing gardeners already know what they are catching on to - that homegrown fruit and veggies are delicious! But with many back gardens getting smaller (and in some cases, nonexistent), are there any limits to home production? Not if you think vertically.

Vertical surfaces are often heat traps for sun-loving tomatoes, chillies, figs and peaches. Even shade offers an excellent microclimate for tarter fruits like currants and gooseberries, or leafy veg (see our suggestions on the following page). Nifty use of planting pouches, pots or even upended pallets can create edible green walls in shadier, cooler spots.

Using pots and baskets

Some crops, such as cordon tomatoes, runner and French beans, are stalwart wall-fillers. Still, look also to less-obvious choices like heritage pea 'Carouby de Maussane' (mangetout) or climbing courgette 'Black Forest' (green fruit) and 'Shooting Star' (yellow fruit).

If using pots on sunny walls (to grow strawberries, for example), opt for larger troughs or hanging baskets to avoid being tethered to the tap, and line the pot with polythene (see page 20). Use wires, clips, staples and twine, too seeing a well-trained plant collapse in its prime is heartbreaking and unnecessary.

So go on, make this your year for boosted spirits and bountiful harvests!

Lucy's corner

Aim higher with these vertical ideas