Reclaimed Vertical Garden

This Vertical Garden looks smart and takes up very little space.

Ideally suited for a balcony.

It also makes good use of empty 4 can beverage packs, reclaiming them into a vertical garden.

The 4 packs being used originally contained an amber liquid. The labels were peeled off to display the aluminium. Cans without peel off labels can also be used and these can then be spray painted a colour of your choosing.

Removing Bottom

File off the bottom of a beverage can with as bastard file. Push the drinking tab back so it covers the drinking hole. Click the top of the can back into the plastic beverage carrier. File the cans just after you have drank them as it can get a bit tedious filing multiple cans at one go.

Spreader

Cut a length of tube and use this to spread the cans apart into a 'V' shape by placing it between where the cans click into the plastic can carrier. A tube cutter can make cutting the tube lengths easier than using a hacksaw.

Super Glue and Baking Soda

Use Super glue and baking soda to join the cans together. Use packs of super glue you can buy inexpensively at discount stores. The ones I used cost $2.50 for six small tubes.

Application

Using a straw, Sprinkle on some baking soda to where the cans will be joined. Add some drops of super glue. Keep building the join up by adding more baking soda and super glue. Do this with plenty of ventilation and wear plastic disposable gloves.

Add Layers

After securing the spreader, add another level of cans, alternating the orientation of the 4 packs. This way the plants will have more growing space.

Add Plants

Attach the completed vertical garden to a base, for support and to catch any water overflow. I found the lid of a plastic storage container worked well. Just attach with some cord through the first spreader via a couple of holes drilled into the lid.

Add plants to the completed vertical garden. A piece of plastic wrapped around the top of a can will help when adding potting mix into it.

Plants being grown are: Peas, Marigolds, Lettuce, Strawberries and some hot pepper seeds. It will be interesting to see which do well.

Watering

Water the new plants well. Then only water when required, avoiding overwatering.

Update

Another way to try growing plants in the vertical garden is to suspend then in the cans. This will give better drainage and is ideal for growing seedlings:
Cut the top rim off a beverage can.
Insert part of a pantyhose leg wrap it back on itself and tie a knot.
Fill with potting mix and insert into a can.
It will stretch, so allow for this.
To grow succulents, just add a piece broken off an existing succulent plant into a can with a sand / potting mix. They are slow growing and only require infrequent watering.