How the Planted Wall Vertical Gardening System Compares to a Raised Bed Garden
If you’re thinking about starting an edible garden, you may have considered growing food in a raised bed. Have you wondered if there’s an easier way? There is! The Planted Wall is a vertical gardening system that makes it easy to grow leafy greens and herbs.
The Planted Wall Uses Less Soil Than a Raised Bed
A 6-foot x 6-foot raised garden bed that’s 12 inches deep needs 36 cubic feet of soil (269 gallons). A 6ft x 6ft raised bed that 6 inches deep needs 18 cubic feet of soil (134.6 gallons).
A double-sided Planted Wall, which grows 36 plants only needs 2.4 cubic feet of soil (18 gallons). And, a singled-sided Planted Wall, which grows 18 plants needs 1.2 cubic feet of soil (9 gallons).
How Much Space Will a Raised Bed Need?
Raised beds come in different shapes and sizes. Let’s take the 6ft x 6ft example above since we can grow 36 plants in it—the same as a double-sided Planted Wall. The raised bed takes up 36 square feet of space. The Planted Wall is 20 inches wide x 68 inches tall. Because you’re growing vertically, it takes up the space of a person. Plus, you can put it on a balcony, deck or patio.
How Much Sun Does a Raised Bed Need?
Sunlight needs vary by the type of vegetable you’re growing. An herb garden can be productive with 2 to 4 hours of sun. Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and arugula can thrive with 4 to 6 hours. In fact, leafy greens need shade from summer’s intense mid-day sun. Other veggies require 6 to 8 hours of full sunlight.
Whether growing in a raised bed, in the ground or vertically, plants need sun—4 to 8 hours, depending on the variety.
Here's the challenge. The sun moves around during the year, and objects, like deciduous trees, can cast shade over a garden during different seasons.
You Can Move the Planted Wall
Here's the good news: the Planted Wall is on wheels—so you can rotate or roll it to a sunnier spot to maximize the available sunlight. Can't do that with a raised bed.
Learn more about the Planted Wall and how you can grow the healthiest organic greens and herbs year-round with the system.
