Vertical gardening is not something new today, but it has been practiced for a long time. However, it is now that it becomes more relevant in the face of different designs and less occupation of space. For this reason, the designs of floating garden which are an innovation in gardening design.
In this article we will tell you what a floating garden is and how to make one at home.
what is it
Currently, floating gardens have become a global trend. Urban areas are always looking for green spaces. This is why sustainable construction is gaining popularity. As one solution among others, floating gardens offer the possibility of creating natural spaces.
A vertical garden can be defined as a green wall consisting of a device mounted on a vertical wall covered with different types of plants.
The vegetation, which can be natural or artificial, is supported by structures that can be assembled outdoors in different sizes; terraces, balconies, patios, facades or interiors of houses; dining rooms, kitchens, balconies, hallways, allowing the planting of various plant walls in the flora.
It is the perfect solution for a house with little space where we want to enjoy green walls and a modern style., connect with nature through a mini garden at home, without maintenance work for the occupants or a high degree of complication of the house. Address.
What are the advantages of a floating garden?
A floating garden plays an important role and benefits different aspects, whether in buildings when applied on roofs, facades or patios, or inside houses. The main functions are:
- They improve the air quality in the house, they insulate and prevent the walls from being heated by the foliage, and if we place them strategically, we can even reduce our electricity bill.
- Improve our relationship with nature. We understand the natural cycles of the earth and the biological cycles of plants and their properties, we increase our understanding of the natural environment and flora.
- It brings benefits to our mental health (it is an excellent anti-stress) and fun, relaxing, curative and total well-being activities.
- we can take advantage of maintenance and a better quality of coexistence with our family.
- It is not necessary to use topsoil.
- They can be installed inside the house and therefore consume less energy and water.
- Several plants and flowers can be chosen at the same time, regardless of their respective species, provided they are complementary and, if possible, native to the region due to resistance and less care.
- In addition to providing a pleasant aesthetic inside the housethey can be separated from walls, enclosure ducts, heating or air conditioning ducts indoors, so that their optical effects are invisible when covered with plants.
- When you have problems with patio walls, they provide optimal drainage, preventing unnecessary seepage.
As a disadvantage, to name a few: it has an installation cost, although if practiced consistently and recycled materials can be used in the structure (for example, using pallets), homemade pots, reused wooden crates, it will be very economical.
How to create a floating garden at home
To create a beautiful floating garden, whether outdoor or indoor, semi-covered or fully covered, a beautiful green wall must be achieved by a succession of steps. As a first suggestion to build a vertical ecosystem, start with a small family garden, and if we like it, expand the distribution to a larger garden, investing more money and time in its maintenance.
Before choosing a location, here are some key things to consider:
- We need light. You have to find a space for the forest with maximum and constant exposure to the sun (watch out for the midday sun). For outdoor gardens, there should be at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Indoors, if direct natural light is possible, and if we cannot, we must choose plants that require very little light (we will see later which ornamental plants we can use).
- need water. We need to position vertical ecosystems in areas where water can be extracted, i.e. irrigated or connected to irrigation and drip irrigation systems.
- The irrigation network must extend in all directions. Being able to maintain and work the floating garden comfortably is essential. Forget the weird structures and shapes hanging from the ceiling.
- Requires a solid wall and type of structure. If we want to hang it on the wall, check that it is resistant (make sure that we do not hide any electrical or plumbing equipment in the house).
As for the vegetation we choose, to simplify a bit, the plants in the outdoor garden are more beautiful and ornamental, moreover, we have more variety of options, the main disadvantage is that we do not control the climatic conditions. Indoors, broad-leaved plants are best suited.
What tools do I need?
Much depends on what we want to spend and the skills of each user. We also don’t need a lot of utensils once the support structure is in place. We will need proper tools, that is, hand tools. Look for ergonomic gardening tools with short handles to work well. Here are some examples:
- Lance Hoe. It is used to remove plant debris and weeds, remove soil and aerate.
- fork hoe. Digging, removing soil, breaking up clods and weeding, weeding. It is mainly used in traditional outdoor gardens.
- Farmer. It is used to scrape surfaces and swell them.
- Shovel or transplanter. We can make holes for planting seeds and seedlings.
- mango rake. It actually works on everything, but the main function is to swipe leftover veggies.
- Carrycot and gloves. These baskets are perfect for transplanting soil from one place to another. It is always good to protect our hands, gloves are the best option for the vegetable garden, make sure they are a bit thick.
I hope with this information you can learn more about floating gardens and their characteristics.