Fall Vertical Gardens: How to Do It & What to Plant

Written by Shawna Holly

Many believe that with the end of summer comes the end of our Texas gardens, but that doesn’t have to be the case! Fall gardening can actually be even more enjoyable than spring and summer gardening, given the cooler temperatures and such added benefits as less watering, less pruning, and beautiful bounties that tend to scorch less with the softer sun. With the right crops, technique, and tools, a fall vegetable garden can keep your kitchen stocked with tasty, nutrient-dense foods right on into winter.

And with the use of vertical planting with trellises, arbors, ladders, and more…a fall garden can be enjoyed just about anywhere, in even the smallest of yards. Vertical gardens are easy to care for, easy to harvest, and tend to suffer less from disease and pests than larger, ground-based or raised-bed gardens. Plus, they make excellent backyard accents, privacy screens, and cover-ups for unsightly fences and utility poles!

| Inspiration photos courtesy of Pinterest |

Where to start:

Choose an area for your vertical garden that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day: This may be a different space than the one that sufficed for your spring garden, as days grow shorter in the fall and winter. Also be sure that if you do choose the same location as your spring garden, you dig up and replace all old soil and garden debris to start fresh.

Choose an arbor or trellis that works well with your space and that provides an aesthetic you’ll enjoy. Pay attention to height if you don’t want to stand on a ladder to harvest your crop!

Choose starter plants for your fall garden rather than attempting to grow your crop from seed. You’ll want to look for those that grow and produce quickly. Most are frost-susceptible and will need to be harvested shortly before or after the first freeze (which can be a while here in southern Texas!) Small melons, indeterminate tomatoes, pole beans, snap peas, peppers, and vining cucumbers make great choices for a fall garden.

Grow, Baby, Grow!

After planting your starters at the base of your trellis or arbor, you’ll want to guide (train) the vines to wrap around and between the wood or metal supports. Tie them to the support structure as necessary and check to make sure no produce grows to become stuck inside of the grid. You may also support heavier melons with strips of cloth to prevent them from falling to the ground as they ripen. Then, harvest and enjoy the fruits of your (minimal) labor!

Feeling inspired?

Ask for Nature’s Best the next time you stop in to visit us at Corner Cartel. Owner, Kelli Young, manufactures a variety of outdoor arbors and trellises that can be used for vining your fall garden…and adding that little something special to your outdoor oasis!

Located for thirty years in the heart of Boerne, Corner Cartel boasts seven-thousand square feet of vintage finds, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade bath and body products, home decor, candles, souvenirs, and more. Whether you're looking for one of a kind vintage treasures, classic antiques, or on-trend home decor, you're sure to find something to love inside our doors!