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

Bestseller No. 1

Lettuce Grow Farmstand 36-Plant Hydroponic Growing System Kit | Outdoor Indoor Vertical Garden | Herb Vegetable Planter Tower | Large Home Gardening w/ Self Watering Pump, BPA-Free Food Grade | 6’ 1”

EASY, NO GREEN THUMB REQUIRED: Just minutes a week to add water and nutrients - our advanced hydroponics system does the rest! The automated water distribution feature disperses water evenly to all plants (NO SOIL, NO MESS!). Healthy, fresh food year-round from a fully sustainable source
HIGHER NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: Fresher = More nutrients. Grow your own seasonal varieties of vegetables, fruits, edible flowers and herbs with our self-watering hydroponic garden system. Choose from 50+ seasonal varieties of fresh, homegrown produce: You will taste the difference
GROW INDOORS OR OUTDOORS: Grow 36 plants at a time in your Farmstand. Grow in a sunny spot outside in your backyard or balcony - or grow indoors with the help of our optional Glow Rings.
GOOD FOR PEOPLE & THE PLANET: 95% less water usage vs. traditional gardening. Shrink your carbon footprint by reducing the distance food travels. Partner with teachers, educators, schools, nonprofits and community organizations - 1 Farmstand donated for every 10 sold
WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Your new hydroponic system kit includes the Farmstand tower, water pump, power cord, timer, plant food for 130+ plants, pH testing kit, pH Down for water health, stir stick, scoops and a cute sticker