Gutter Garden to the Rescue

Do you have a green thumb that’s ready to be exposed… but no place to put a garden? Never fear! The Gutter Garden is here! What is a Gutter Garden, you may be wondering? Well, it’s a vegetable or flower garden that’s hung from the side of your fence or railing. No digging, no permanent yard changes, perfect for anyone in a rental unit or who isn’t 100% sure about tearing up the lawn. Enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables this summer with this easy, DIY project.

Here's How To Do It

Location: Choose the best fence/railing based on the types of plants you are planting. Consider how much sun and shade they need to flourish. We put ours on the West fence to maximize sun time.

Materials: 1 or 2 10 foot aluminum gutters, end caps, hanging screws, gutter hangers, drill or screwdriver, glue or putty to secure the ends

Installation:

-choose sturdy fence posts at least 6-8 feet apart

-drill holes in each end so that the water will drain

- add the end caps with caulking

- secure the gutter to the fence with gutter hangers

- add your soil (optional- you can line the bottom of your gutter with lighter material like pecan shells to help with drainage)

How to Install a Gutter Garden

 

Soil: Potting soil or a combination of potting soil and peat moss works well for these shallow gardens.

 

What to plant: Basically you can plant anything that can grow in a 4-inch pot. Examples include salad greens, spinach, small root vegetables like carrots or beets, snap peas, herbs, bunching onions. We planted basil, parsley, mint, oregano, lettuce, and yellow sweet peppers. We also planted cherry tomatoes in buckets (see here for instructions: http://homesteadlifestyle.com/diy-upside-down-tomato-planter/)

 

How to Install Hanging Tomatoes

Your gutter garden will require watering more often than an inground garden, but make sure you check the ends regularly to ensure good drainage!

 

Good luck gutter growing!

 

Our completed gutter garden

 

Want more life hacks? Check out the Arc of Life videos and the full how to gutter garden video here on easy changes to make your life healthier and happier.