We create vertical beds and flower beds with our own hands

In order to regularly obtain a high-quality harvest and effectively protect plantings from soil pests, it is important to properly organize the area for cultivating vegetables and berries. Some plants are quite finicky, so they require specific conditions for normal growth and development.

Everyone’s favorite strawberry is one of these crops. In order to increase productivity, many gardeners, instead of arranging classic rows with garden strawberries, prefer to experiment, creating interesting options for beds. Gardeners who love experiments will be interested in learning how to make vertical beds and what agrotechnical requirements should be taken into account.

Vertical garden to save space for planting

If you show a little imagination, then instead of randomly planting the entire garden area with fruit and vegetable crops, you can create hanging, volumetric or vertical beds at your dacha with your own hands for cultivating various plants. In addition, such a simple solution as using vertical space allows you to make the most efficient use of a small plot of land.

Often, Russian gardeners have at their disposal the traditional six acres of land, where they want to see not only beds and greenhouses, but also beautiful flower beds. In such cases, it is definitely worth starting to practice, in addition to the usual horizontal placement of plantings, the vertical cultivation of cultural and ornamental plants.

New life for an old plastic bottle

A bed of plastic bottles can be attached to anything. For example, a vertical bed can be used to plant trees on the wall of a house, garage or any other utility structure; a metal mesh can also be a good help for plastic bottles. Some gardeners construct separate metal and wood frames for such vertical beds.

Creative gardeners paint bottles with plants in different colors, making the garden bed itself more aesthetically pleasing. In a word, vertical beds made of plastic bottles offer a wide field for the manifestation of imagination, creativity and personal skill.

Gallery: strawberry beds made from bottles and pipes (25 photos)

Original ideas for a summer house

Advantages of non-standard options for arranging a vegetable garden:

• A vertical bed allows you to save useful space and prevent the spread of infections and pests ;
• A high bed with an arched trellis reduces the risk of rotting of the root system of climbing plants and ensures good soil drainage . If you wish, you can make an “insulated” front garden with your own hands;
• The main advantages of multi-tiered structures are the ability to accommodate plants in a larger volume and an attractive appearance . In addition, you can combine planting of several types of crops and use different soil at each level;
• A mobile mini-bed is the ideal solution to grow a small herb garden. This model, equipped with wheels, is convenient to move around the territory .

DIY strawberry beds and their types

These structures are easy to make with your own hands from worn-out tires, old bags, plastic drains, leftover lumber, slate and other scrap materials that are likely to be found in any country house.

Advantages of vertical beds

• An undeniable advantage is the compactness of this type of structure, which allows it to be placed not only in a garden plot, but also on a city balcony.
• It is also worth noting the variety of materials that gardeners have managed to adapt to vertical beds. They are made from plastic pipes, pots, pockets made of different materials, machine tires, and even old wooden chests of drawers are used for such beds. Well, anyone can build a bed of plastic bottles, since such containers can be found in every home.
• The unpretentiousness of caring for such beds saves gardeners a lot of time. Thanks to the high location of the seedlings, and subsequently the harvest, a person does not have to bend over backwards to find a berry or pick a lettuce bush.
• Again, the high location of the root system protects the plants from small pests. And the pyramidal or cylindrical shape of the structure will not allow birds to sit on the beds and spoil the harvest.

Features of strawberry cultivation

When growing strawberries, the dimensions of the beds are of no small importance. The traditional option for planting garden strawberries, in addition to arranging ordinary rows of berries, involves a carpet or nesting method of placing plantings. It is advisable to use such technology if you are setting up high plantations. For gardeners who appear on their plots only from time to time, planting berries in a carpet is best suited.

This method promotes the formation of a special microclimate due to the formation of natural mulch on the ground as plants grow. In this case, there is no need for frequent watering and nutritional fertilizing. But it is worth considering that if the number of rosettes in the field increases, in parallel with this, the size of the fruit will become smaller and smaller.

Plastic fencing: advantages and disadvantages of operation

Plastic is a material that has good quality characteristics at a relatively low cost. The main advantage of plastic fencing is its long service life. Plastic does not corrode and also perfectly resists various atmospheric precipitations.

Sharp temperature fluctuations, as well as frost, are not dangerous for this material. Exposure to direct sunlight cannot cause defects in plastic that affect the functionality of the material, which is why many gardeners choose it for arranging fences on the site.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the availability of the material. For flower beds and beds, plastic fences will be a real godsend, because their cost is literally peanuts, and the functions are identical to their more expensive counterparts.

Wavy plastic fencing for garden beds

Installation of plastic is incredibly easy and simple, does not require special efforts and skills that are necessary when working with wood or concrete. Plastic bottles can become a full-fledged fence, and practically free of charge. Having accumulated a sufficient amount of the necessary material, you can create not just a fence, but a real masterpiece that can adequately compete with metal forging or wood carving.

One of the minor disadvantages inherent in plastic fencing is low strength.

Plastic is not as durable as wood or concrete, but it is quite suitable for fencing flower beds and small beds. The main function of plastic fencing is not so much protective as fencing. A wide range of different plastic fencing allows you to buy exactly what is ideal for your site, combining not only technical functions, but also design.

Size of bed for garden strawberries

To get large fruits and increase strawberry yields, it is enough to meet a number of simple conditions:

1. When dividing beds, it is preferable to dig strips up to 0.8 m wide. This distance is quite enough to place two rows of seedlings in parallel, leaving a gap of 0.4 m between them. In a wider area, watering, weeding and harvesting will be much more difficult.
2. The correct orientation of plantings is east-west direction . With this planting option, the strawberry bushes will grow freely without interfering with each other.
3. Furrows for planting should be from 0.3 to 0.4 m wide and at least 0.2 m deep .
4. When planting strawberry crops, it is necessary to place seedlings at a distance of at least 0.4 m from each other .
5. When choosing the height of the beds for strawberries, you need to be guided by the type of constructive solution: the advantage of squat modifications with walls from 0.20 to 0.40 m is the absence of difficulties in making them yourself; On high structures with sides up to 0.9 m, it is convenient to place covering material and collect berries. They are also quite easy to maintain.

Planting strawberry bushes too closely in order to save space can slow down the growth of berries, create difficulties during weeding and provoke the development of infections.

How to plant strawberries correctly in spring and autumn

Pros and cons of beds made from plastic bottles

Among the advantages of using garden beds made from bottles it is worth noting:

• availability of plastic containers;
• long service life;
• no difficulties in application;
• resistance to negative environmental factors;
• Possibility of painting in any color;
• ability to withstand heavy loads;
• aesthetics of the fence.

Plastic bottles allow you to create beds of different sizes and shapes.
The disadvantages of do-it-yourself bottle beds, which are visible in the photo, are their low degree of mechanical strength.

Features of vertical beds

At first glance, the use of vertical structures for cultivating strawberry crops may seem like something exotic. But for many gardeners, the implementation of such technology has several weighty arguments in its defense, namely:

• rational use of land for planting in a reasonable economy mode;
• the most comfortable care for plants - vertical placement of plantings automatically reduces the load on the spine and joints, since there is no need to bend over regularly;
• limited interaction of plantings with soil, which minimizes the risks of rotting of the root system and the spread of diseases caused by fungus and mold ;
• decorative function of a vertical vegetable garden.

However, vertical landing has two rather significant disadvantages:

• rapid freezing of the soil of hanging containers, and not all plant varieties can boast of good resistance to the influence of factors such as cold soil;
• the need to resort to frequent irrigation and almost weekly fertilizing.

To reduce the number of waterings, agronomists recommend using a special hydrogel to dilute the soil substrate.

Types of solutions

Properly selected designs greatly facilitate the cultivation of berries. In addition, many options for beds become an organic continuation of landscape design, acting as decorative elements.

Vertical structures made from plastic bottles

This option is the fastest, simplest and most cost-effective. To build a vertical strawberry garden, take any number of the most common 2-liter plastic bottles.

Sequence of work:

• Remove labels and rinse plastic containers thoroughly.
• Cut an even rectangle on the side of the bottle, and a sufficient number of drainage holes on the opposite side.
• In the upper part, departing about 2–2.5 cm from the neck, and in the lower part, closer to the base of the container, pierce a hole through which then stretch a rope or fishing line. At the ends of the rope it is necessary to tie a washer or nut to prevent the bottles from breaking and falling under the weight of the soil.
• For horizontal fastening of finished modules to the wall, it is best to use strong wire.
• Pour a mixture of drainage and soil into plastic containers and plant garden strawberry seedlings.

When you plan to plant plants with a small root system in a greenhouse pavilion, you can also make hanging beds from plastic bottles with your own hands for these purposes. It is enough to cut a “window” in the container for the seedling, and make a couple more cuts on the sides of the hole to secure the rope. Homemade pots are simply hung on nails to the walls. It will be equally convenient for flower seedlings and herbs to grow in them before planting in open ground.

Growing and caring for melons and watermelons in a greenhouse

Structures made of PVC or metal-plastic pipes

The undeniable advantages of using plastic or metal plastic for arranging vertical beds for plants in open ground or in a greenhouse:

• these materials will definitely not rot;
• they are highly resistant to internal corrosion damage;
• there is no need to additionally treat the structures with paint or chemical impregnation: the white surface prevents strong heating.

To create such a composition, take a pair of plastic pipes with different thread diameters - 1/2 and 3/4 inches. The preferred length of the pipes is 2–2.5 m, this will allow them to be thoroughly buried in the ground and provide greater stability to the improvised garden bed.

Sequence of work:

• At one end of the pipe, measure a third of the entire length and put a mark - this part will need to be immersed in the ground.
• From the marked place, keeping a distance of 20 cm and adhering to a checkerboard pattern, make a series of round cutouts (optimal diameter - 6–9 cm).
• The lower end of the pipe is dug into the soil and the soil substrate is poured inside it.
• Plants are planted in the holes, and to firmly fix the seedlings, they are additionally pressed with small clods of soil.

Irrigation in vertical beds is carried out through the top hole using the drip irrigation principle. To do this, before filling the pipe with earth, insert a thin tube with a smaller diameter into the pipe , on the top of which a number of holes are made in advance. With this method of planting, one irrigation system can be equipped with several pipes at once.

Advantages of using vertical tube beds in greenhouses:

• no need to weed, waste time and effort on endless weed control;
• the rate of plant maturation and yield are guaranteed to increase;
• convenient to harvest without damaging the stems;
• The root system of green pets is reliably protected from damage by soil pests.

DIY structures made from fabric bags

To make a hanging strawberry flower bed, all you need is basic sewing skills.

Proper preparation of hanging beds-bags:

• A dense, durable film is used to cover greenhouses or greenhouses.
• A couple of rectangles are cut out of the film and sewn securely, turning the corners to prevent soil from spilling out.
• Then the bag is filled with substrate and cutouts are made in a checkerboard pattern for the seedlings. The spreading nature of the selected strawberry variety will help determine the required distance between the holes.
• The bags are placed on the walls of the greenhouse and watered regularly.

Planting irises from “A” to “Z”

If you don’t have the time or desire to sew bags yourself, then by visiting the nearest gardening store, you can easily purchase products made from felt, synthetic fabric or polyethylene, which already have ready-made cut-out pockets for plants.

Advantages of “bag” beds:

• the possibility of harvesting a rich harvest, even if you use a small greenhouse area;
• creating optimal conditions for strawberry growth, since the sun will hit the rosettes evenly and in sufficient quantities;

The best planting material for this original method of growing berries is considered to be young bushes from last year's strawberry bushes.

Ideas for decorating beds from bottles

In order for plants in plastic containers to grow and develop well, a distance of 25-30 cm must be maintained between them. Fencing from recycled materials can be made in different shapes and sizes, additionally painted in bright colors for greater decorativeness. Designs made from plastic containers with a volume of 1.5-2 liters are larger. suitable for growing low-growing plants Soil in fences made of plastic containers remains moist longer and retains heat well Planting plants in plastic containers protects them from the invasion of small pests and birds

Second life of car tires

Beds made from car tires are another common and popular option for organizing comfortable planting areas for garden strawberries, flowers and other cultivated plants. It is worth knowing that worn tires are not an environmentally friendly and, as many people mistakenly believe, harmless material: rubber will definitely release toxic compounds into the ground.

Flowerbed tower

You will need to prepare tires with different diameters, soil substrate, a chisel and a wooden block.

Sequencing:

• The cutouts for the seedlings are prepared: using a chisel, the required number of holes with a diameter of 7–10 cm are cut in increments of 15–20 cm. It will be much easier to make “windows” on the block where the tire is placed.
• A similar procedure is performed to prepare subsequent tiers.
• As a result, when the tower rises to the required height, soil is filled in and seedlings are planted.

Pyramid shaped

To implement this idea, you will need to take 3 or 4 tires with different diameters.

Work order:

• On one side, the treads of all tires are cut off.
• The largest tire will serve as the base of the pyramid. A mesh is laid on the ground, then a substrate is poured, after which you can begin arranging the second and subsequent tiers in a similar way.
• When the pyramid is ready, holes are prepared in the ground for the strawberries, the ground needs to be moistened and the bushes planted.

Multi-tiered structures made from car tires can be painted with bright colors and decorated with clay figurines. Such designs look very original, and most importantly, you don’t have to be afraid that your neighbors will have the same one, as often happens with purchased decorative elements.

Options for using bottles in fencing

There are many ways to decorate a flower bed with bottles. The fence can be made from whole containers, from bottles cut into strips. The shapes, sizes and configuration of the fence are limited only by your imagination.

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Vertical bottles

The simplest and most obvious way to make a flowerbed with your own hands is to install plastic bottles vertically:

1. Preparation of material. Bottles are cleaned of labels, washed and dried well. For strength and good stability, the container is filled with sand, pebbles or earth.
2. Digging a trench. For complex flower bed shapes, it is better to make markings first. The depth of the ditch should be approximately 8-10 cm, the width should correspond to the thickness of the bottle.
3. Installation of bottles. The prepared bottles are installed as closely as possible to each other.

   An example of installing bottles in a garden bed.
   The fence elements must stand securely and not wobble. This is how the entire fence is gradually formed.

The main advantage of this method is that with its help you can easily decorate an existing flowerbed. To make the fence look solid and neat, it is best to use the same type of two or one and a half liter bottles.

It is better to use different bottles with systematic alternation. A multi-tiered flower bed made from buried plastic bottles will look beautiful.

You can make a border for flowers from plastic bottles without a neck. In this case, the ditch can be made shallow 5-7 cm. The bottles are filled with earth and buried along the marking line. Bottles can be painted any color you wish. Acrylic paint is most suitable for these purposes; it adheres best to plastic and is more durable. Light transparent bottles can be painted from the inside by pouring paint into them and shaking the container well. This way the paint will not be affected by precipitation.

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Horizontal arrangement

The horizontal laying method is more complex and requires some costs. The height of the fence in this case can vary; outwardly, such a fence looks more solid and solid. Cement mortar is used to hold plastic bottles together. You will also need a base for the flowerbed, such as a cut barrel or a car tire. The bottles will cluster around this base, forming a circular flowerbed.

Stages of work:

1. Preparation of materials. Prepare clean, dried bottles of the same size and base. The diameter of the base will correspond to the size of the future flower bed. You can also use glass bottles for masonry.
2. Mixing concrete. The solution you need is the most common one, a mixture of cement and sand in a 2:1 ratio. The consistency of the cement composition should be thick enough so that the bottles are well secured.
3. Bottle stacking.

   
   The bottom of the base is coated with a thick layer of cement and the first row of bottles is laid. The necks are sunk in the solution, and the bottoms will be the front side of the flower bed. The first row is the most important; it needs to be laid as evenly and beautifully as possible. Next, the subsequent rows should be laid out in a checkerboard pattern. To make the flower bed attractive, you should work carefully and slowly. Sometimes you need to wait for the previous layer to set.

4. Backfilling of soil. The flowerbed is filled in layers. The first layer is drainage: stones, sand, broken brick. Next, you can add garden soil.
5. Masking necks. When the ground is covered, the necks of the bottles of the last row, immersed in cement, will be easier to decorate: with stones, soil, pine cones, etc.

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Mini flower beds made from plastic bottles

Small flower beds can be made directly in the bottle.

An original mini-flower bed made from plastic bottles.
For example, large drinking water bottles are well suited for this. There are a lot of ideas for decorating such mini-flower beds. Crafts for the garden can be made in the form of piglets, hedgehogs, and so on. Such flower beds look very cute, are easy to make with your own hands and can be moved from place to place.
The work usually requires a minimum of tools:

• scissors;
• paints;
• tassels;
• various details for decoration.

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Mosaic flower beds

Flower beds assembled into some kind of craft from multi-colored or painted bottles are purely decorative in nature - plants are not grown in them. The area can be decorated with colorful butterflies, bright flowers, and various panels. It is better to draw a pre-conceived drawing schematically and decide on the number of bottles and their color scheme. Patterns of mosaic flower beds are drawn up by analogy with embroidery or knitting patterns.

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Reviews and comments

• Olya I have never seen strawberries grown this way. Indeed, it has enormous advantages, but also significant disadvantages. I would prefer the classic method of growing strawberries.

  Igor Nikolaevich Interesting. This is very important for me, because there is not so much space on the site. In addition, it seems that such vertical beds should have fewer problems with weeds, which are very annoying on horizontal plantations.

The need to fence a plot of land

Any area where it is planned to grow something implies the presence of clear boundaries. Why is this being done? The answer is simple: to preserve the original amount of land and prevent it from changing its location as a result of exposure to precipitation. This is especially true for flower beds.

Owners of open flower beds know very well that after rain, part of the soil, especially if the soil is sloped, is carried away with the flow of rainwater.

Various methods and materials for arranging plastic borders for garden beds

As a rule, these are the most fertile upper layers, where the natural fertilizer humus is formed - the key to a beautiful flower garden and the fragrance of any flower bed.

You can apply an unlimited amount of organic and mineral fertilizers, but if the flower beds do not have defined boundaries, such manipulations will not only be useless, but also extremely costly. It’s another matter when the owners of flower beds initially take care of the land by constructing plastic fences for the beds. This material is quite durable, copes well with its functions, and is also affordable.