Location is an important part of vertically gardening. Make sure you place garden arbors and other structures where they won’t shade out other plants. You’ll also want to ensure that the plants you grow on your trellises or garden arbors will get enough sunlight. Orient the structure accordingly. Moreover, if you have seasonal winds, you may want to locate your arbor or trellis in a safe place where your plants are less likely to blow off.

If you have vines growing in your garden, you’ll need to keep the base of the plant mulched with about four inches of organic mulch. This will ensure that your soil retains water during the warmer weeks of the summer. The mulch will also add nutrients to the soil. Some vines and other vertically-growing plants dry out quickly, so make sure and water them frequently.

When you grow plants vertically, you’ll want to keep constant tabs on them so they don’t grow where you don’t want them to go. Some vines can quickly attach themselves to rain gutters and pull them away from the wall if you’re not careful! Also, when planning your vertical garden, make sure you think about access for maintenance. Will you need a ladder to prune your vines, or can you reach them easily?

As your plants grow up your trellis, wall, or garden arbor, you may need to keep them fastened to the structure and train them so they won’t slump off or fall. Some vines will attach more readily to a surface and wind in and out of a trellis or arbor, but others need a helping hand now and then. Twine is a good choice for tying your plants, and won’t damage the stems. You can typically find weatherproof garden twine at your local garden supply store.