Build a tiered garden in your apartment for a great way to use limited space. Not only will you be able to grow fresh produce, but you can also install beautiful flowers and plants that will add color and life to your home.
In this guide, we will discuss the considerations you need to make when planning your tiered garden, as well as how to build it yourself.
How To Build Your Tiered Garden
This is the sign to build a tiered garden in your apartment. All you need are the following materials:
Soil Bags
Soil bags are the perfect solution for those who have limited space. They allow you to grow a wide variety of plants and vegetables and provide an easy way to transport your garden from one place to another if necessary. You can find soil bags at most home improvement stores or online retailers such as Amazon (see below for links).
Garden Hose
A garden hose is necessary to water your plants. Be sure to choose a model that is long enough to reach all of the plants in your garden, and make sure you have a spray nozzle attachment for easy watering.
You will also need the following tools:
- Tape measure
- Pruning shears
- Shovel
- Level
Factors to Consider When Getting Started
Size and Shape
When planning your garden, it is crucial to consider the dimensions of your apartment. A 500 sqft apartment can comfortably accommodate a three-tiered garden. Each tier measures 16 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 18 inches high. If your apartment is smaller or larger, you can adjust the size of your garden accordingly.
You will also need to decide on the shape of your garden. While a square or rectangle is the simplest, you may want to experiment with different shapes to create a more exciting look. Just be sure to keep the dimensions of your garden in mind when choosing a shape.
It can be challenging to grow your food if you live in an apartment building with limited outdoor space. However, there are plenty of ways for even those who only have access to small balconies and rooftops!
A tiered garden is perfect for an apartment balcony because it takes up very little horizontal space but gives you the ability to have multiple levels of plants.
Soil Weight
One thing to consider when planning your tiered garden is the weight of the soil. Soil that is too heavy may cause your tiers to collapse. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a soil mixture that is lightweight and compact. You can find lightweight soil mixes at most garden stores.
Potting and Soil Weight
When picking out a pot, make sure to consider the weight of the soil that you will add. Using a large pot will need more soil to fill it up, and the weight could cause your balcony or deck railing to break. Picking a lighter pot material like plastic is a good option if this is a concern. When filling your pots with soil, be sure to pack it in tightly so that it doesn’t fall out when watering plants later on!
When it comes to Potting mix, select a lightweight product. For example, as Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix, which will help reduce the overall weight of your containers.
On Pot size, select a smaller container that will be easier to move and more stable in high winds. It can also help reduce soil weight since it has less space for plants than larger pots would have! Very important when you build a tiered garden in your apartment.
Watering Needs
When planning your tiered garden, you should also consider how much water your plants require. A plant with low watering needs can be placed on the top tier of your garden, while plants that need more water should be placed near the bottom where they can easily access it. Like succulents and cacti, some potted plants don’t need to be watered as often as other plants.
You may want to place a small pond or fountain at this level so as not to overwhelm other tiers in the event there’s too much runoff from watering above them.
If you have a busy lifestyle or will not flood your plants regularly, choose low-maintenance plants!
Types of Plants that do not require much watering
Succulents And Annual Flowers
- Succulent plants store water in their leaves to go for extended periods without being watered.
- They come in various shapes and sizes, perfect for small gardens and containers.
- Some popular succulents include aloe vera, echeveria, sempervivum, and sedum.
- Annual flowers are plants that only last one season.
- They come in various colors and sizes, making them perfect for adding color to your garden.
- Many annual flowers bloom throughout the summer months, making them a perfect choice for a garden that you need to water often.
- Some popular annual flowers include marigolds, petunias, impatiens, and zinnias.
Light Needs
Another thing to consider when planning your tiered garden is light exposure for each level of growth. The higher up your garden goes, the less sunlight it will receive. It would help to place plants with low light needs near the top. At the same time, those requiring more sun should go on lower tiers. Those on low tiers get plenty of exposure throughout day-long hours, or use grows lights to supplement their lighting requirements on all levels.
Durability
When choosing your soil mixture and plant selection, you’ll also want to consider how durable each item is. Soil mixtures can vary widely in strength and texture. For example, some are made from composted materials. In contrast, others contain sand particles that may not hold up well over time if exposed, frequently being watered down by rainwater runoff from above them (especially during heavy storms). Plants, too, have varying degrees of durability depending upon their type so choose varieties best suited for your climate conditions!
Ease of Access to Harvest Produce
Ease-of-access is another critical consideration when planning your tiered garden. A garden that’s too tall or wide can make it difficult to reach certain areas, so keep this in mind before starting any major construction work on the project itself! For example, if you’re building a three-tiered vegetable plot, consider how easy its upkeep would be. With limited space, it is crucial to plan out your harvest protocol when you build a tiered garden in your apartment.
How To Build It Yourself: Tips and Tricks
Measure the space and plan your design
You can’t just throw together a tiered garden. You need to make sure that it will fit in the area you have designated for it and that you can get around all sides of each tier comfortably.
Before purchasing any materials or beginning construction, measure out the dimensions of your space. Then draw up some plans! Sketching with a pencil on graph paper is a great way to visualize what you are about to create and ensure proper spacing between tiers and structures like plant trellises.
If building against an existing wall, make sure there is enough room for sunlight if plants grow tall enough to cast shadows on neighboring gardens. Tiered gardens require very little maintenance, but you’ll need to be able to reach all sides.
If building an outdoor garden, make sure it is not visible to neighbors who may have concerns about its appearance. If planting edible plants, make sure that children or pets cannot reach them.
Once your plans are drawn up and approved, you can begin construction and start to build a tiered garden in your apartment.
Construct a base layer for each tier
Your first step will be to construct a sturdy foundation for the bottom of your tiered garden. It can consist of several things depending on what style you ultimately decide upon. For example, if using wooden planks as walls around each level of your garden, consider cementing the planks in place before adding soil.
If stacking concrete blocks, you can lay them out in a square or rectangle and fill between with soil. Ensure that each layer is level and stable before moving on to the next tier. If your tiers are going to be different heights, this may require some adjusting along the way.
Add Soil & Plant Your Vegetables!
After your base layer is complete, it is time to add soil! The layer will be the foundation for your plants, so make sure to use a good quality potting mix. Dig a hole in each section of the tier deep enough for the plant’s roots and wide enough so that the plant won’t be too cramped.
Place the plants in their respective holes and fill around with more soil. Pat down firmly so that no air pockets are left that could dry out the roots. Water well after planting.
If you live in an area with cold winters, consider adding mulch or straw around each plant before winter sets in to help keep them warm and healthy.
Maintain Your Garden
Once you plant your garden, you will need to water it regularly. It may mean watering each section individually if you have separate trellises or tiers, so plan accordingly. Also, make sure that the soil remains moist at all times and has proper drainage, so there are no issues with mold.
Add More Tiers For Greater Capacity
If needed or desired, you can always add more tiers to your garden as it grows.
It will allow for an even greater capacity and variety of plants that you can grow in a smaller space. Imagine how pretty this type of tiered garden would look with flowers added to the bottom level!
Decorate Our Tiered Garden With Some Lights And Outdoor Furniture
Add some lighting or decor to your newly built tiered vegetable garden. It could include LED string lights, candles, or solar-powered lamps. You may also wish to add outdoor furniture like chairs, benches, and the like so that you have somewhere comfortable to relax while enjoying your outdoor space.
Harvest & Enjoy!
After several weeks of tending to your plants and watching them grow from tiny sprouts to full-fledged vegetables, the time has come!
It is now that you get to enjoy your hard work by harvesting the fruits (or vegetables!) of your labor. It will be satisfying to serve a meal using food grown in your garden! With such a system, you can grow whatever varieties of veggies and herbs you prefer without waiting for them to take over an entire yard.
Even if you have a small balcony or patio space, it may just be enough room for this type of tiered vegetable garden. Do not let lack of space deter you from growing fresh produce right outside your door.
Steps to Build a Tiered Garden for Your Apartment
The Planting
- Choose the container that your plants will be growing in. The best containers are ones that have holes on the bottom or raised bottoms so water can drain off of them. You’ll also want to make sure your pots are tall enough for the roots to grow and not get crowded at the top. If you need extra space, use bigger containers!
- Pick out some good organic soil from a local nursery or garden center designed for container planting (or mix it yourself). Fill each pot with about two-thirds of this soil, leaving room for smaller pots below it. For example: if we put our medium-sized pot into a larger one, fill it up ¾ full before putting anything else inside! Then, add some organic matter like compost, manure, or leaf mold to each pot- this will give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive.
- Take your smaller pots and place them in the spaces between each layer of soil in the larger container. These will be for your herbs, flowers, or vegetables. Ensure that there is enough space for the plant’s mature size when you are planting in these containers!
The Benefits of a Tiered Garden Design
Tiered Garden Designs Save Space
A tiered garden design is a great way to maximize your space. Whether you’re planting in the ground or within raised beds, this type of design can help create more usable growing areas and allow for multiple types of gardening. Consider using different-sized containers to add dimension to your garden!
Tiered Garden Designs are Versatile
You can create tiered garden designs in a variety of ways. For instance, you could build your own tiered raised bed or container garden using wood and cement blocks. Fill up different sized pots with soil. Plant plants that grow vertically like corn or sunflowers; hang baskets from the ceiling!
Tiered Garden Designs are Easy to Maintain
Since this type of garden design saves space, it’s also effortless maintenance. You won’t have to worry about weeding or watering because everything is contained within the raised beds and containers you choose for your tiered garden design!
How to Choose the Right Plants
When it comes to tiered gardening, choosing the right plants is crucial. You’ll need to consider the soil weight, watering needs, light requirements, and durability of each plant you choose. Remember that your garden will be built on tiers and must support the weight of those above it and any water collected in them.
You’ll need to consider how much light each plant requires as well. If you have limited sunlight, perhaps a sunny window or balcony area, choose shade-tolerant plants such as leafy greens and herbs like basil, mint, or parsley. You can also grow mushrooms in the shade if you live in a cooler climate.
Shade tolerant plants for a tiered garden:
Lettuce, spinach, and kale all grow well in the shade. If you want to try something different from the standard leafy greens, consider increasing mesclun mix and Asian greens such as pak choi or watercress. All of these greens are hearty, tasty, and low in calories.
Herbs also do well in shaded areas. Consider growing basil, mint, parsley, thyme, or oregano. These herbs add flavor to any dish and can quickly be grown in small pots on a sunny windowsill or balcony.
Fruit trees that grow well in the shade include blueberries, cherries, figs, and plums. If you have a little more space in your garden, these trees will provide delicious fruit all summer long.
How to Choose the Right Soil
When it comes to gardening, the soil is critical. The right soil mix will help your plants thrive and grow big and healthy. Not all grounds are created equal, so you’ll need to consider the soil’s weight when building your tiered garden.
Heavy soils like clay can be more challenging to work with since they tend to compact and require more water than lighter soils. They also tend to retain heat which can increase the temperature of your plants, especially in hot climates where this may be undesirable.
Light soils like sandy loams are easier on the back and require less water than heavier soils. Still, they will dry out faster, so you’ll need to pay attention to this when choosing light soil for your tiered garden.
The best soil for tiered gardens is a mixture of clay, silt, and sand amended with organic matter such as compost or manure (cow/horse). This type of soil will hold moisture well without becoming too heavy for planting purposes while providing nutrients essential for plant growth.
You can also use potting soil to grow your plants in containers. Potting soils are lightweight and drain well, so they’re perfect for containerized plants that need more frequent watering than those planted directly into the ground.
Remember that this type of soil will dry out quickly. Depending on how hot it gets outside during peak summer months or when you don’t have access to natural rainfall like during wintertime (if applicable), it may require daily watering.
In general, choosing a good quality garden mix is always better than using topsoil alone. There are many different types of topsoil available at nurseries with varying nutrients/organic matter content. That could be detrimental for certain plant species requiring specific pH levels or nutrient levels.
When in doubt, ask the staff at your local nursery for advice on choosing the right soil mix for your tiered garden.
Once you’ve chosen the plants and soil for your tiered garden, it’s time to start building!
Wrapping Up
Now you know how to build a tiered garden for your apartment. Tiered gardens make it easier to plant herbs and vegetables in apartments. They also add visual interest to the space while allowing plants of different heights or sizes to coexist.
To get started, decide on where you want your garden to go and then figure out what size beds will fit best, based on the dimensions of your balcony or patio. Then start building! The more time and effort you put into developing this area outdoors, the better off all of your plants will be, and so will you!