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

SaleBestseller No. 2

4Ft Vertical Raised Garden Bed - 5 Tier Food Safe Planter Box for Outdoor and Indoor Gardening Perfect to Grow Your Herb Vegetables Flowers on Your Patio Balcony Greenhouse Garden

SaleBestseller No. 3

Tectsia Strawberry Vertical Planter Tower Garden, 5 Tiered Stackable Planter Herb Garden Planter with Movable Casters and Bottom Saucer Indoor and Outdoor - White

5 Tier Vertical Planter - 5 tier stacking planter, made of BPA-free material, can hold up to 15 different plants, such as strawberries, spinach, leaf lettuce, arugula, and mustard greens, and a few smaller herbs and flowers. Plus, it's the perfect vessel for strawberries as the berries cascade over the container lip.
Easy Assembly - Putting the dirt in is easy and there isn't any assembly required just stake them on top of each other. Happy planting in the kitchen, balcony, and garden.
Support Hole - Tower garden had a spot in the center for a support pole(Not Included), that's useful in a windy location, or used for hanging with an iron chain as garden decor.
Indoor & Outdoor - There is a large rolling garden saucer on the bottom so that easy to move around indoors and outdoors, and it's a breeze to spin it to allow each of the herbs to take advantage of the sun.
Flow Design - The water filtration system from top to bottom can save water and retain moisture but prevents overwatering or root rot. 5 filters are placed on each level to keep the soil from going through the big drainage holes, it also helps retain water in each planter level.