Make Your Own Gutter Garden
For a multitude of reasons, not everyone can plant a traditional garden. Maybe you live in an apartment or condo where green space is sparse and not really yours to dig up. Perhaps your soil is inhospitable to anything except crabgrass. Or maybe you have impeccable landscaping that even raised boxes would marr. Whatever the reason, we discovered a solution for you: gutter gardening!
Jayme of aHa! Home and Garden has written an awesome tutorial on how to construct, hang, and effectively plant your own hanging gutter garden, complete with spectacular photos!
We've got the supply & plant list to get you started, but you should definitely go check out her post for detailed instructions on building and hanging your new gutter garden.
Materials
(1) 8' PVC white rain gutter cut into 3 32" sections
(6) PVC white gutter end caps
(2) 1/8" diameter steel cables cut to desired length
(6) Cross Clamps
(6) 1/8" diameter steel rods
(2) Galvanized eye hooks
Tools
Cordless Drill with drill bit set
Hand saw or hack saw
T-square or straight edge
Tape measure
Permanent marker
Level
Potting soil and Plants
Eye protection
Plants
Jayme suggests these shallow-rooted plants for your gutter garden:
Arugula, spinach, swiss chard, kale and all kinds of lettuces
Annual herbs such as cilantro, parsley, chives
Strawberries (bare root)
Root Veggies like beets, radishes and shallow carrot varieties like Tonda di parigi
Annual Flowers such as marigolds, nasturtiums, pansies and violas
What do you think of a gutter garden? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to post links to photos if you decide to attempt this awesome project!
Photo courtesy of aHa Home & Garden
