DIY Portable Garden Wall

Hi Globetrotters,

I have really been getting into some DIY home projects, especially after my successful try at macromé (will show next time).

So I really love garden walls, I think the full, green-look makes a great backdrop to any seating area. Also, I just try to bring any nature I can to my home.

Mr. Lumberjack and I have a patio, but very little brick wall space. We have a fence. The problem though is we share it with neighbors. We don’t want to attach plants to them. As the dirt gets wet, it will be heavier on one side. Thus, warping the fence.

My solution to this is building a stand to hold my pockets. I didn’t attach anything to the base, because in the winter, I want to bring this stand inside. I will have vertical storage then too.

What you see in the final picture won’t be exactly the instructions because mid-way I wanted to add bolts instead of zip ties on the top. Since I measured for zip ties, I couldn’t lay the Felt Pockets perfectly around the frame and had to zip tie the sides. Lesson learned.

I adjusted the wood measurements though, so your final product will not need zip ties- just more bolts- to secure the pockets around the frame.

Feel free to adjust the height (68″ L x 3.5″ W x 1.5″ D) of the frame as well. I plan on having a couch in front of it, so I wasn’t going to put plants at the bottom and block its sunlight. The height is 100% customizable in this project.

Here are the things you will need:

• Two 68″ L x 3.5″ W x 1.5″ D Wood
• Two 78″ L x 3.5″ W x 1.5″ D Wood
• One 35″ L x 3.5″ W x 1.5″ D Wood
• Four 14″ L x 3.4″ W x 1.5″ D Wood
• Twenty six 1 1/4″ Screws
• Twenty one 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ bolts
• Two 40″ L x 40″ W Felt Pockets
• Four to Eight Planter Blocks
• Exterior Stain and Sealant (optional)
• Circular Saw
• Drill
• Right-angled ruler

Let’s jump into the instructions:

1. The framing wood is actually 95″ L x 3.5″ W x 1.5″ D when you first buy it. Take the time to neatly saw the vertical pieces.
2. For the four angled pieces, we are using them as support for the frame. Saw the ends at a 45 degree angle. It is OK if it isn’t perfect. They will be hidden by the felt later.
3. Optional step: Stain the wood on a warm day and let it dry until the next day.
4. Optional step: Then seal the wood on a warm day and let it dry until the next day.
5. Lay out the frame flat on the ground. The two 78″ pieces will be horizontal, the two 68″ pieces will be on the outside of that and the 35″ will be in the middle. Use a right angled ruler as a guide for 90 degree corners.
6. Place the four angled pieces on the corners of rectangle. It will look like the picture below:

7. Drill two screws at each connection point. Make sure to drill as perpendicular as possible for the straight pieces.
8. For the angled pieces, lay the screw on top. Find the position where the screw will not poke out on the other side. Drill the screw into the wood.

9. Stand up the frame and move it to your desired location.
10. To secure the frame, use the stone blocks to fit around the legs. See below:

11. Place the felt pockets around the frame. The perimeter of the felt pockets should rest on the frame.
12. Use the grommets on the felt as a guide to pre-drill some holes. Make sure the holes do not poke on the other side of the frame.
13. With the felt pockets still up, screw the bolts.

Now, you are ready to fill those pockets with plants. The pockets are big enough for a 4 in plant. I plant on keeping my plants in its plastic container and settling them in the pockets. You can plant directly in the pockets if you prefer.

For a city-slicker like myself, where land is an issue, this vertical wall will save you a lot of space. Also, due to its probability, your plants will have a home in midst of those frigid winters.

If you complete this project, let me know how it went in the comments.

Ciao,

Amy