If you’ve been wondering how to fit more plants? Or even grow your own food in a small outdoor space, you’re not alone.
With gardens getting smaller and urban living on the rise, many people are looking for smarter ways to make the most of every square metre.
One of the best solutions? An edible vertical garden.
Growing upwards, instead of outwards, lets you turn fences, walls, and even balconies into productive, beautiful spaces.
Here’s how vertical edible gardens work, what problems they solve, and what you can grow — right here in New Zealand.
Why a Vertical Edible Garden?
🌿 Maximise your space
Vertical gardens let you grow upwards instead of fighting for ground. Fences, walls, balconies, and even garden sheds can become productive, beautiful spaces.
🌿 Less maintenance, more harvest
Instead of wrestling with grass or managing awkward garden beds, you can simply harvest what you need when you need it — at a comfortable arm’s reach.
🌿 Freshness on demand
Say goodbye to sad supermarket greens. With a vertical garden, you can pick your herbs, lettuce, or strawberries minutes before you use them.
🌿 Adds beauty as well as function
Done well, a vertical edible garden becomes a feature. Living walls of green, punctuated with colour and texture, lift a space in a way concrete and timber never could.
Problems it Solves (That You Might Not Have Thought Of)
– Better use of sunlight
Growing vertically helps plants catch more light, avoiding the usual jostling and overcrowding you get at ground level.
– Fewer pest problems
Snails, slugs and other ground-dwelling troublemakers find vertical gardens less accessible — meaning less damage and fewer frustrations.
– Soil issues? Not a problem
Vertical setups often use potting mixes or soil pockets, which means you can avoid battling with poor-quality ground soil.
– Perfect for renters
Most vertical gardens are portable or modular. You can pack up your living pantry and take it with you if you move — no digging required.
Top Crops for Going Up (and When to Plant Them)
Not every plant loves a vertical life, but plenty will thrive if given the chance. Here’s a selection that suits New Zealand conditions — along with the best planting times:
– Lettuces & Salad Greens (Plant: early spring to late autumn)
Fast-growing and low-fuss. Sow little and often for a steady supply through the warmer months.
– Strawberries (Plant: late autumn to early winter, or early spring)
Strawberries do well in pockets and wall planters. Autumn planting sets you up for stronger fruiting next season, but spring planting can still work nicely.
– Herbs (Plant: spring for most, year-round for hardy types)
Basil, parsley, mint, thyme and more — easy to grow, useful in the kitchen, and perfect for tucking into vertical setups.
– Peas and Beans (Plant: early spring)
Both peas and beans are natural climbers. Sow once the danger of frost has passed and give them something to scramble up.
– Chillies and Small Capsicum Varieties (Plant: late spring to early summer)
Heat-lovers that grow well in containers and vertical gardens. Wait until nights are reliably warm before planting them out.
– Dwarf Eggplants (Aubergines) (Plant: late spring)
With a bit of heat and a good sunny spot, dwarf varieties of eggplant (aubergine) are surprisingly rewarding — and they suit vertical gardens beautifully.
Ready to fall in love with your garden again?
If you’re working with a small space, or simply want to grow more without giving up your outdoor area, a vertical edible garden is a clever, practical solution.
They’re easy to customise, low-maintenance once established, and give you access to fresh, homegrown food all year round.
If you’d like help designing a vertical garden that suits your space, lifestyle, and the New Zealand climate, we’re here to help!
