A vertical vegetable garden can be the mind-blowing solution to your desire to grow your own food but the problem of a distinct lack of space.

Sometimes, you need to look at a problem from a different angle and, when it comes to growing vegetables, that means looking up.

Not every vegetable is suitable for a vertical vegetable garden, but even if you can only grow some lettuce and snow peas in your limited space, they’re going to make the best salad you’ve ever tasted.

Some of the ideas here can be put into action with items you have on hand or can buy very cheaply from either hardware store or second-hand building material.

For lots of other great ideas for growing your own food, follow our Grow Your Own Food board on Pinterest.

Vertical Vegetable Garden Ideas

The following infographic is an excellent reference point for starting your vertical garden. Check out your favorite vegetables (‘cos why grow anything else?) and the best method for supporting them.

Source: Custom Made

Table of Contents

A Hanging Garden of Potted Herbs

Useful and attractive, this design enables you to create a privacy screen and a source of fresh herbs for your kitchen.

Source: Deborah Silver

Gutter Garden

The clever arrangement of guttering provides both an abundance of leafy greens for salads and efficient use of water.

Source: MakeZine

Simple Arbour Tunnels

Use recycled metal reinforcement rods and mesh to create an arbour for supporting all sorts of climbing vegetables.

Source: Wahsega Valley Farm

An other version of a tunnel, this time over a grassed path enables vegetables to be grown over an area unavailable for planting.

A more elaborate series of arches over the paths in a raised garden – attractive and productive.

Once again, gutters are used for both direct planting and as shelving for small potted plants.

Source: More Than Chic

Strawberry Tower

Clever use of space employed for growing everyone’s favorite berry; strawberries!

Source: Remove and Replace

Hanging Gutter Garden

Excellent use of vertical space by suspending guttering from the side of a pergola: part screen, part extra garden.

Source: Goods Home Design

A Wall of Boxes

Not just an efficient use of space but seriously attractive, too.

Source: Little Green Dot

3d Garden

Add an extra layer to your small vegetable garden by growing sprawling plants over a hoop.

Source: Get Busy Gardening

Want to get started? Check out these best-selling vegetable garden planters

SaleBestseller No. 1

Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Strawberry, Herb, Flower, and Vegetable Planter - Vertical Garden Indoor/Outdoor

Patented Flow Through Design - Save Water - Save Space - Grow More Effieciently
Made of Food Safe Polypropylene - Just Need To Water Top Pot
Great For Growing Strawberries, Herbs, Flowers, Succulents, and Much More
5 Mr Stacky Planters Plus Bottom Saucer - W:12 x 12 x 28 V: 25 Quarts
Gardening Made Easy! Ideal Gift Too - Made in USA

Bestseller No. 2

Vertical Planter 5 Tier Stackable Planters Garden Planters Strawberry Herb Flower and Vegetable Planter Indoor Outdoor Gardening Pots with Removable Wheels and Tools

STACKABLE PLANTER - Stack the planters to the height you desire.
EASY TO MOVE - Four all-directional wheels, easy for the senior.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM - Multiple drainage holes at the bottom prevent overwatering.
RIGHT SOIL MOISTURE - A small amount of water is kept under the soil holding board.
BREATHABLE - Unique stacking design for airflow keeps the roots healthy.

SaleBestseller No. 3

GREEN MOUNT Raised Garden Bed Planter Box with Trellis for Climbing Vegetables Plants, 67.6" Outdoor Tomatoes Planters Tomato Cage w/Wheels

Trellis frame provides strong support for heavy plants - eliminating the need for constant staking and tying. Having a strong plant support prevents 'snapping off' of heavy vines - increasing yield. Simply add additional risers and rings as your plant grows. This compact unit provides enough room for 1 large tomato plant with a few low-growing herbs or lettuces tucked in around its feet. The trellis provides support for vining flowers like sweet peas, or top-heavy flowers such as dahlias
Extensible Design: The slide panel can connector with the corner connector rods all sides. The corner connector rods also can be the legs, it can elevate the garden beds. This garden raise bed has a variety of forms and functions to meet the needs of different situations. Each foundation raise garden bed includes 4 trellis caps and 40 pcs trellis rods, and 8 holes to support extra sticks. Adjustable plant trellis to protect and support your plants all season long
Self-Watering System: This Plant Tower planter features a self-watering reservoir. it can keep the soil moist and protect the plants. The Self-watering reservoir irrigates planter for several days. Each side of the planter has a reservoir plug for draining or retaining excess water easily, and keep your plants breathe well. Perfect for patios, decks and small-space gardening or as an easy-access supplement to a traditional vegetable garden
Premium Material: GREEN MOUNT raised Planter bed is made from durable fade-proof, food-grade safe polypropylene, safe and sturdy, which makes them great for all outdoor areas and all kinds of weather. Can also be used-year-round in an enclosed sunroom
5 Optional Wheels: Come with 4 lockable swivel casters and 1 Non-swivel /Non-Locking caster. With wheels, you can effortlessly move your raised garden bed around for watering or trimming or roll it out to the garden/yard for better photosynthesis or shading. To keep it still, just use locking pins