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

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

Mr. Stacky 5 Tiered Vertical Gardening Planter, Indoor & Outdoor

A Simple Space Saving Garden Solution: Plant & Stack
Grow More Healthy Organic Fruits/Veggies/Flowers @ Home (Strawberries, Tomatoes, Peppers, Herbs, Greens, Green Beans, Beets...)
Smart & Efficient: Watering The Top Pot Will Self Water The Tiers Below. Take Care Of 20 Plants By Watering 1 Pot
Mr Stacky Proudly Made In The USA - Food Safe - UV Protected
(5) Large Heavy Duty 18 Inch Diameter Stackable Planters - 16"x16"x38" - 64 Quart

Bestseller No. 3

Greenstalk Patented Large 5 Tier Vertical Garden Planter with Patented Internal Watering System Great for Growing a Variety of Strawberries, Vegetables, Herbs, & Flowers (Evergreen)

The GreenStalk system is proud to be designed and manufactured completely in East TN. Made with high quality, BPA-free, UV-resistant plastic with a 5 year warranty
To water the entire system use GreenStalk’s patented watering system: simply fill to the 5 tier mark on the top water reservoir to water all the tiers below.
Easily grows a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, strawberries and flowers including potatoes, lettuce, corn, and tomatoes
The GreenStalk is soil-based so no special solutions or electricity needed – just fill with 5 cubic feet of your favorite potting mix
GreenStalk is the ONLY system that waters all tiers at the same time. Other stackable gardens over-saturate the top tiers to get to the ones on the bottom.