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

SIMBR Raised Garden Bed, 4Ft Vertical Garden Freestanding Elevated Planters with 5 Tier Planter Boxes, Indoor or Outdoor Garden Bed for Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits and Herbs

SaleBestseller No. 2

Garraí Vertical Garden Wall Planter - Wall Mounted Hanging Planter for Flowers, Vegetables or Herb Garden (Vertical Wall Planter)

VERTICAL PLANTER TOTAL SIZE: 26 (H) x 20 7/8 (W) x 5 1/2 (D) inches
Vertical planter total Size 4 1/2 (H) x 9 3/4 (W) x 5.5 (D) inches. Six (6) pots are easily removable (just lift out) from the frame to allow various re-arrangements and easy repotting. No more reaching too high or too low to plant your favorite arrangements. Remove the planter box and tend to your plants at your own comfort. Good for seniors to continue gardening.
Stylish Plant wall décor This decorative hanging planter is perfect for small spaces, balcony planter, patio planter, or herb garden. The charcoal color of the frame and containers allows for your flowers colors to shine.
Strong and Durable: One piece frame is made of heavy duty powder coated steel with a fashionable finish. Durable planter boxes are 100% food safe polypropylene.
Drainage: Each planter box comes with a Root Tray Riser and drain holes to help develop a healthy root structures. The drain holes allows water to flow from flower box to flower box. Optional drain plugs included for use as indoor wall planter for indoor plants.