What Can You Plant In A Gutter Garden

Gutter gardening is ideal for those who seek to maximize their garden space. A container garden, or vertical herb garden, is appealing to many renters. And aesthetically appealing when constructed correctly. Being creative with this type of gardening will allow you to produce more than you can imagine.

Why is Gutter Gardening Beneficial?

Gutter gardening, who would have thought? It is an unconventional method for gardening, but one which works well.

This gardening method is ideal for those who rent since it can be constructed and moved easily. Condo or townhouse owners can also use gutters as a form of a garden. However, gutter gardening is not only ideal for individuals with small space living.

Because of how they are used, gutters can be used on properties of any size. The gutter garden can easily be mounted to fence posts, wire tied to metal fencing, or secured onto buildings and structures. Additionally, a custom build frame can be constructed to hold multiple gutters. This last method works well with large wheels secured to the frame, allowing it to move around the property as a tractor would.

Above all, gutter gardening is ideal for kids. Because of the size and where it can be installed this little garden is ideal for a young gardener.

Additionally, a vertical herb garden can be easily installed on the deck of condos or townhomes.

One last tip, growing in a gutter will help to keep a large majority of pests away. The Pacific Northwest is known for the slugs which thrive here. However, since utilizing a container garden like this there are no issues of slugs in the 'garden'. Additionally, the gutters deter chicken from getting to the produce. Especially if they are high enough.

Gutter Garden aka Container Garden

Because the depth of a gutter is short, only a few inches, anything with a short root system grows well in a gutter garden. Think about it like this, anything which can be grown in a 4 inch pot can easily grow in a container garden like a gutter.

Herbs
Strawberries
Persian Carrots
Radishes
Bunching Onions
Chives
Leeks
Garlic
Lettuce
Salad Greens
Spinach
Nasturtiums
Marigolds

This list is only the beginning of what can be grown in a gutter garden. Industrial gutters are larger and deeper in depth. These larger gutters allow items like beets and onions, as well as, melons to grow well in them.

Keep in mind, a Greenstalk garden tower will also house these items. However, a gutter is a much more diverse garden bed.

Growing foods vertically is a great concept for those who seek to maximize the garden space. As a matter of fact, here is a list of 16 fruits and vegetables to grow vertically utilizing the gutter gardening and other vertical gardening methods.

A Vertical Herb Garden

Providing herbs to poultry will help to boost their immune system. Why not place a vertical herb garden on the side of a coop or along the run? This allows for easy access in harvesting herbs for feed or to infuse in waterers.

How to Construct a Gutter Garden

The materials needed can be purchased at any local hardware store.

Materials

10 foot Aluminum Gutters
Gutter End Caps
Gutter Spacers
Hanging Screw or Wire Tie

Instructions

Using a metal hole boring drill bit drill holes into the bottom of the gutter every 24 to 30 inches for water drainage.
Next, apply cap ends to the gutters.
Secure the gutter gardens to wood fencing posts, onto building, or customized structures with 2 inch screws. Or use wire ties to secure gutters to metal fencing posts.
Finally, add raised bed soil and compost. Direct sow seeds or plant starts.
Due to the weight of the soil gutters tend to cave inward. Gutter spaces allow the gutters to maintain the form needed in order to garden properly.

Secured the gutters to wire fencing with the use of wire tie. Attach gutters to a structure or wood posts using multiple 2 inch screws.

A vertical herb garden, or any short root vegetables like red sail lettuce grow great in a gutter garden.

Placement, Watering, and Tips

Because of the shallowness of the gutters and the heat of summer the soil can dry out quickly. I would advise utilizing a drip system or soaker hose and water at least twice a day.

It is best to place the gutters facing east. This allows for morning to early afternoon sunlight, preventing the gutters from being in the sun during the hottest time of the day.

Take time to inspect the gutters at the beginning of each growing season. Also, mix existing soil with fresh, adding compost as needed.

I am often asked if growing food in aluminum or galvanized containers creates a metallic taste in the foods. The answer is, no. The next question, am I concerned about metal leaching into the soil and contaminating the soil? Once again, the answer is no. Use newer containers and nothing second hand. This helps to identify the age and whether it is lead free. Make sure to learn more about selecting the best containers for the job.

Container Garden

Interested in learning more about utilizing and building a container and raised bed garden? Take a look at Container Gardening: 250 Designs and Ideas.