On this publish, I’ll present you the way I exploit my GreenStalk vertical planter in all seasons—how I set it up, what I plant, and the way I regulate my look after Arizona’s excessive summer time warmth and delicate winter months.
Serious about gardening in a GreenStalk in the course of the summer time, particularly in a sizzling local weather like Arizona? Vertical planters just like the GreenStalk could be a good way to develop in a small house, however they arrive with additional challenges when temperatures rise. Containers dry out quicker, warmth builds up faster, and restricted soil quantity can stress crops in the course of the hottest months of the yr.
In climates with delicate winters, GreenStalk vertical planter actually shine. The soil warms up rapidly, you possibly can transfer the planter to observe the solar, and crops develop properly within the cooler months.
What We’ll Cowl:
Why I Began Utilizing a GreenStalk
I first obtained a GreenStalk vertical planter as a result of I used to be operating out of room in my raised beds. It was fall, and I wanted a spot to plant garlic and onions. A number of members of my GITG Academy courses had shared their success tales, so I figured, why not give it a strive?
What began as a space-saving answer rapidly grew to become an experiment in small-space gardening. I used to be curious: how a lot may I develop in a small footprint? And the way wouldn’t it maintain as much as an Arizona summer time?
Since then, I’ve been testing completely different crops and setups and studying so much alongside the way in which. On this publish, I’ll share ideas for establishing, rising, and sustaining a GreenStalk—particularly in a sizzling local weather.
What Is a GreenStalk?
The GreenStalk is a tiered vertical planter with a number of pockets per stage, stacked to kind a tall, compact backyard. It’s excellent for patios, balconies, and different small areas. One among my favourite options is that it rotates, making it simple to regulate for solar publicity all through the day.
Every tier holds about 0.75 cubic ft of soil, and a seven-tier GreenStalk holds just below 4 cubic ft whole—loads of room to develop quite a lot of crops.
You should purchase a GreenStalk right here and use my low cost code: GITG10 to avoid wasting.
Finest Soil to Use in a GreenStalk
Good soil is important. I exploit a high-quality raised mattress combine from Arizona Worm Farm and blend in a balanced natural fertilizer. Every pocket wants to empty properly however maintain moisture.
For those who’re utilizing the GreenStalk Leaf Planter like I’m, every tier holds 0.75 cubic ft of potting combine (about 6 gallons). With 7 tiers, that’s a complete of 5.25 cubic ft of soil (or about 42 gallons).
That’s really an honest quantity of soil for a vertical backyard. Make sure to fill every tier all the way in which to the highest—extra soil means higher moisture retention, deeper root house, and fewer temperature fluctuation.
Earlier than planting, I additionally prime off every pocket with worm castings harvested from my in-ground beds. It helps carry biology into the soil, particularly vital in a container system like this.
Learn extra: Finest Soil for Raised Mattress Vegetable Gardening
Set It Up
Setting it up is easy, however one step is essential: make certain it’s stage. The watering system is gravity-fed, so if the tower tilts even a bit, some pockets could keep dry whereas others are overwatered. I discovered that lesson the onerous approach. My floor slopes, so I positioned a brick beneath the bottom to stage it.
I positioned mine in a spot with morning solar and afternoon shade—a should for Arizona summers. The bottom rotates, so I spin it every time I water to offer either side even gentle.
What to Plant in a GreenStalk
Incorporate companion planting ideas, even in a small house like a GreenStalk. I attempt to embody a mixture of greens, herbs, and flowers all through the planter to create a balanced and productive mini-ecosystem.
This combine helps appeal to pollinators, deter pests, and maximize house. For extra concepts on easy methods to pair crops collectively, try my weblog publish on Companion Planting.
When selecting what to develop in a GreenStalk, search for compact, dwarf, or container-friendly varieties. These are naturally higher suited to the shallow pockets and restricted root house.
GreenStalk Gardening in Gentle Winter Climates
For those who dwell in a local weather with heat winters and sizzling summers, the GreenStalk is good from fall by means of early spring.
The soil heats up rapidly, serving to crops develop quicker.
You’ll be able to transfer the planter to maximise daylight because the solar angle shifts.
It’s simple to cowl throughout a chilly snap.
Within the low desert, fall can nonetheless be sizzling, particularly in September and early October. Wait to plant cool-season crops like garlic till daytime highs persistently drop under 90°F (32°C). Planting too early in sizzling soil could cause sprouting points (garlic could rot) or stress for younger crops.
As the times get shorter within the fall, set your GreenStalk in full solar and rotate it each few days to encourage even progress.
Crops that develop properly in winter: (click on on crop title for rising guides)
GreenStalk Gardening Throughout Sizzling Summers
Summers within the low desert are intense, and container gardens want extra care. The following tips assist maintain a GreenStalk rising in the course of the hottest months.
Transfer it to a spot with morning solar and afternoon shade.
Rotate the planter every time you water to offer all crops equal gentle.
Add a two to three-inch layer of mulch in every pocket to scale back evaporation and defend the soil from the solar.
Water continuously and verify particular person pockets by hand to observe moisture ranges. As temperatures climb, count on to water extra usually—generally each day in excessive warmth.
Select heat-tolerant crops and observe correct planting timing utilizing my Zone 9/10 Planting Information.
Crops I’m rising in my GreenStalk this summer time: (click on the title for rising guides)
Fertilizing Your GreenStalk
Every pocket is sort of a small container—vitamins can wash out rapidly. I fertilize as soon as a month utilizing a liquid natural fertilizer, diluted in accordance with the label. Then I pour it immediately into the highest reservoir, the place it filters down by means of all 7 tiers.
For the reason that full planter holds about 5.25 cubic ft of soil, verify your fertilizer label and calculate the quantity based mostly on that quantity. For instance, if the directions suggest 1 ounce per 1 cubic foot of soil, you’d use simply over 5 ounces for your entire GreenStalk.
Strive the fertilizer I exploit on Amazon
Watering is easy—simply pour water into the highest reservoir and let gravity do the work. However once more, the secret’s ensuring it’s stage.
I additionally verify pockets by hand sometimes to verify every little thing is evenly moist. In sizzling climate, I water extra usually and use mulch in every pocket to retain moisture.
What I’ve Realized So Far
GreenStalks generally is a precious addition to a patio or small-space backyard, particularly in areas with delicate winters. Whereas summer time gardening in a GreenStalk requires extra consideration, it’s attainable to develop a stunning quantity with the suitable setup.
You should purchase a GreenStalk right here and use my low cost code: GITG10 to avoid wasting.
If it’s your solely solution to backyard, don’t be too onerous on your self in case your harvests are smaller than what others develop in large backyard beds. You’ll be able to nonetheless develop so much in a bit house—and that’s what issues.
Crops don’t develop as giant as they do in raised beds.
Watering and fertilizing are easy in case you keep constant.
I take away root balls when crops end to create space for brand new soil.
GreenStalks are simple to maneuver and adapt to altering gentle.
