The constant expansion of the gardening industry led to the invention of pallet gardens.
Pallet gardens are twenty-first-century gardens that make planting much more manageable.
If you wish to consume less time and effort when planting, create a pallet garden or grow in a raised garden. Coming up with a pallet garden is relatively simple.
Detailed steps of constructing a pallet garden
- First things first. Before you begin building a garden pallet, get the right gardening equipment first. More often than not, you will require wooden pallets, roofing nails, screws, drills, landscape fabric, potting soil, thin plywood, and plants. The wooden pallet should be in good condition. Select wood that is not pressure-treated. Otherwise, the wood may experience moisture rotting. Currently, there are different types of wooden pallets. Ensure you pick the right size and design that complements your outdoor space. Take time to conduct a thorough evaluation of the pallet. It should be clean and free from stray nails.
- After you have the equipment, choose the most suitable location for mounting your pallet. The area should have sufficient space to accommodate the entire pallet and be strong enough to support the weight of the pallet.
- Next, create a layout of how you wish to install the pallet in your preferred location. At this stage, use a level to make sure the pallet is adequately aligned. It would be best if you formulate your layout using the level first. Use a temporary marker to draw the lines or mark the points. Then, position your pallets according to the layout.
- Take back the pallet and lay it on a flat surface. Please place it in such a way that the widest opening faces up. This is usually the backside that will face the wall. Then, take the fabric and spread it out across the pallet. Cut it to fit the pallet’s backside and bottom. Secure the fabric on the pallet with strong staples or nails. Several pallets often have a wood cover underneath them to keep soil in place. But make sure the fabric is tightly held onto the pallet. The fabric is responsible for trapping any soil that falls off. Consider incorporating a waterproof material at the bottom as well.
- Then, fill the pallet with high-quality planting soil on its front side. Note that soil obtained directly from the garden can be too heavy for the pallet and takes time to drain water. Thus, it would be best to get the best potting soil. After placing more than half of the soil on the pallet, position the pallet vertically to allow the soil to settle. Continue adding more soil into the pallet.
- Once you complete filling the pallet with soil, it’s now time to start adding the plants. Place the plants into the soil and ensure their roots are secure. Then, add more soil, if necessary, to secure the plants thoroughly. Avoid watering the soil at this stage.
- After all your plants are secure, mount the pallet. During this stage, you will need an extra hand to help you lift and position the pallet. Remember the marked layout? Mount the pallet according to these markings for perfect alignment. Use the brackets of the house to mount the pallet to the wall. A third party can help you do this. Ensure that all plants are firmly held to the soil. If you notice any empty voids, add more soil.
- It would be best to keep tracking the pallet garden for the first few days. This way, you ensure your plants are in good shape. Water the plants as needed and add more soil when necessary. After two to three weeks, the root system will start to form. All you need to do would be to keep watering the plants from the top.
What plants grow in a pallet garden?
Pallet gardens only accommodate certain plant species. So, before you plant anything in your pallet garden, check the plant’s requirements.
In most instances, plants that thrive on pallet gardens require less light and have shallow roots. Luckily, you can grow a wide range of plant types in a pallet garden.
Herbs
One of the best plants that can grow vertically is herbs. Herbs require very little growing space. Consequently, they give other plants room to grow.
Some of the best herbs for your pallet garden include:
- Parley: Another herb that is simple to grow in a pallet garden is parley. Parley requires moisture and medium-sized potting containers to thrive.
- Cilantro: Cilantro often takes up little growing space and thrives in shady areas. Even so, this plant requires a lot of moisture for growth.
- Mint: Mint is one of the best plants to grow in your garden pallet. They offer excellent aesthetics and functionality. You can use them for cooking or baking.
Baby greens and microgreens
Consider growing baby greens in your pallet garden. Unlike most plants, these plants require less maintenance. Growing these plants in eggshells also have proven to work very well.
These plants are not vulnerable to diseases or pests. Also, harvesting baby greens is quite simple. All you need is the right gardening shears to pick out full-blown leaves.
Some of the best types of microgreens and baby greens to grow in your pallet garden include spinach, kale, Swiss chard, lettuce, and red amaranth.
Bulb & root vegetables
A pallet garden can also accommodate bulbs and root vegetables. An excellent example of these vegetables is red onions.
These plants need minimal light to grow, hence making them an ideal option for vertical gardening.
Feel free to plant them in rows. Other examples of root and bulb vegetables you can grow in a garden pallet include leeks, garlic, tulip, radish, shallots, and carrots.
Nightshade family veggies
These plants thrive in pallet gardens. Nightshade vegetables do not grow well when they are too close to the soil. Therefore, planting them in a garden pallet is one of the best things to do.
Examples of nightshade vegetables you can grow in your pallet garden include peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Can you grow strawberries in a pallet?
One of the best places to grow boysenberries and strawberries is in a pallet garden. Pallet gardens help you save space and make it easier for you to maintain your strawberry plants.
These gardens allow you to grow strawberries in your apartment or your small backyard.
Detailed steps of growing strawberries on a garden pallet
- After you construct your pallet, check whether it is in good condition. Then, take the pallet and place it on the table. Use high-quality potting soil to fill the pallet. Apply fertilizer and leave the soil to settle. It will help if you shake the pallet to facilitate proper soil settling. Note that it is always advisable to use potting soil instead of garden soil. Garden soil is heavy and does not drain water quickly.
- Take your strawberry plants and position them in the soil. Do this gently to avoid destroying the strawberry plants. Then, add more soil on top of the strawberry plants to ensure they are firmly secured. Use as many strawberry plants as you can to fill the pallet. Strawberry plants often intertwine. Thus, the plants will be securely held after some time.
- After planting the strawberry plants in the garden pallet, mount the pallet on the wall. Ensure the location of the wall receives a lot of sunlight. Strawberries grow well in areas with enough light. Additionally, ensure the pallet is securely held on the wall to prevent it from falling, especially on windy days. The wall should also be strong to support the weight of the pallet.
- Keep on watering your strawberry plants in your garden pallet. If you notice any empty spaces or tiny holes in the soil, fill them up with potting soil. Strawberries need a lot of moisture to grow. Therefore, you will need to water them every 2 to 3 days. Feed the strawberry plants with quality organic nutrients. Note that strawberry plants are vulnerable to diseases. So, inspect them at least once a week and use respective fungicides when necessary.
Time you start a pallet garden
Pallet gardens are relatively simple to grow. However, you need to know the best plants that thrive in pallet gardens before you begin planting.