DIY hanging garden – Turn plants into a decorative head-turner for any wall

Two wooden frames planted with various plants are hanging on a brick wall. — You can choose plants for your hanging garden to suit your taste.

Difficulty

medium
Cost

< 60 €
Duration

1-3 h

Do you want lots of greenery but haven’t got the space? That’s a good reason to look up: a hanging garden is particularly suitable for small balconies and terraces. It is easily fixed to the wall and adorned with plants that are unaffected by being planted vertically. For example, you can conjure up an amazing moss painting. We’ll show you how to build a hanging garden in a few simple steps.

It should go without saying that your safety is paramount throughout every step of the project, so make sure you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. You can find an overview of the correct protective clothing you need when using each type of tool here .

You need

Tools

Utilities

pencil
g-clamps
paint brush
face mask
protractor
work gloves
ear plugs
safety glasses
pocket rule
paint roller
wire cutter

Materials

Planks made from Douglas-fir Douglas-fir is particularly suited for use outdoors as it has a high resin content – for natural protection against the weather:
o 2x 400 mm
o 2x 364 mm
o 2x 445 mm
o 2x 410 mm
Panel made from Douglas-fir:
o 364 x 64 mm
Screws 3.5 x 50
Pond liner
Pond fleece
A roll of wire mesh, at least 510 mm wide
Soil
Plants
Paint

L: Length, W: Width, H: Height, D: Diameter

Step 1 11

Saw the planks

A wooden plank is lying on a work surface and a measurement is being marked on it — Mark out precisely where you have to saw so that the frame for your hanging garden fits together perfectly later.

A wooden plank is clamped down to a work surface is being sawn with a jigsaw. — Now, saw the wooden plank where you have made the marking.

You need: NanoBlade saw, pencil, g-clamps, protractor, Measuring tape, Wooden plank

Measure and saw the planks to the following lengths:
2x 400mm
2x 364mm
2x 445mm
2x 410mm

Step 2 11

Sanding

A wooden board is lying on a work surface and the edge of it is being sanded. — The sawn edges should be sanded.

You need: abrasive sponge (medium grit), g-clamps

Sand all the sawn edges.

Step 3 11

Screw the inner frame together

Wooden planks are being secured to the bottom panel.

Several holes are being drilled into the inner frame using a cordless drill.

Screws are being countersunk into predrilled holes.

You need: Cordless drill/driver, Wood Drill Bit Set, g-clamps, Wooden panel 364 x 364 mm, wooden planks 2x 364 mm, 2x 400 mm, screws 3.5 x 50

You’ll need the right size bottom panel to attach the inner frame of your hanging garden. You can pick one up at your local DIY store pre-cut or you can trim it down to the right size yourself.
Now, use G-clamps to position the correct planks on the wooden panel (image 1).

Then, drill all the holes you’ll need. To attach the frame, you’ll need to drill two vertically aligned holes in each corner. To attach the bottom panel, you’ll need to drill two holes next to each other in each side (image 2).

Now, insert screws into all the holes. It’s best to stand the frame up on your work surface to do this, securing it with G-clamps (image 3).

Step 4 11

Build the outer frame

The second frame is secured to a work surface and is being screwed together. — It's now time to screw the second, somewhat larger frame together.

You need: Cordless drill/driver, Wood Drill Bit Set, g-clamps, Wooden planks 2x 410 mm, Wooden planks 2x 445 mm, Screws 3.5 x 50

You can repeat step three using the longer planks to make the larger frame for your hanging garden. However, you don’t have a bottom panel.

Step 5 11

Insert the pond liner

Pond liner is being inserted into the small frame.

The corners of the pond liner are being cut to the right size.

The pond liner is being tacked to the edges with a tacker.

The excess protruding liner is being cut off with a craft knife.

You need: Cordless tacker, carpet/utility knife, inner frame, Pond liner 600 x 600 mm

In the next step, first cut the pond liner to roughly 600 x 600 mm and then insert it into the inner frame (image 1).
Before you start tacking the pond liner to the top edges, make sure to use a craft knife to cut a slit into each corner so that it doesn’t overlap (images 2 and 3).
Then, remove the excess liner protruding at the ends (image 4).

Step 6 11

Cut the wire mesh to length and bend it

A metal wire mesh is being laid over the frame and cut to length.

Squares are being cut out of the corners of the wire mesh.

The wire mesh is being bent over the frame using a wooden plank to help.

You need: IXO-valikoima – yleisleikkuriosa, Cordless screwdriver, wire cutter, A roll of fine wire mesh, at least 510 mm wide

Place the wire mesh roughly in the inner frame and cut it to length so that at least 50 mm protrudes on each side (image 1).

Then, cut out the overhanging wire mesh at the four corners so that you can easily bend the mesh over the frame (image 2).

Now, bend the wire mesh over the frame on all four sides. You can use a wooden plank to help with this (image 3).

Step 7 11

Insert the pond fleece

The pond fleece now has to be attached under the wire mesh. — The pond fleece now has to be attached under wire mesh.

You need: carpet/utility knife, Pond fleece

Now, use a craft knife to cut a piece of pond fleece to length. It should be the same size as the wire mesh.
Lift the mesh from the frame, place the fleece on it and then put the mesh back on again.

Step 8 11

Paint

You need: paint roller, water-resistant wood paint

It’s time to add a splash of colour. If you’d like your hanging garden to be a beacon of colour, you can now paint the outer frame. It’s best to use water-resistant wood paint for this.

Step 9 11

Get planting

Holes are being cut into the wire mesh using wire cutters. — First, cut holes into the wire mesh...

Holes are being cut into the pond fleece using a craft knife — …and in the fleece underneath.

A plant is being planted in the pre-cut hole. — You can now get planting.

You need: Soil, plants of your choice that stay upright

There’s still one crucial element missing from your hanging garden before you can finish it: the plants!
Remove the wire mesh and the fleece from the inner frame once again. Fill the frame with soil up to the top edge of the fixture and then put the fleece and mesh back in place. Now, use wire cutters to cut holes in the wire mesh so that the roots fit through and the plants stick out of the mesh. Also cut a hole in the pond liner using a craft knife (criss-cross 1–2 cm) that is about the same size as the hole in the wire mesh.

You can now plant whatever you’ve chosen into the soil through the holes: different species of moss, various species of fern and ivy as well as peace lilies all work really well.
However, it’s best to ask a florist for advice when choosing your plants.

Step 10 11

Screw the outer frame to the inner frame

The outer frame is being placed over the inner frame. The inner frame contains plants. — Now, place the outer frame over the inner frame containing your plants...

The outer frame is being screwed into the inner frame. — …and screw it in place.

You need: g-clamps, Large frame, Support planks

Now, place two wooden planks of the same size either side of the filled frame. These support planks will help you to screw the larger frame into the smaller frame with an equal upward offset. You need this offset so that you can attach the frame to the wall perfectly later.
Now, take the large frame and place over the smaller one so that it sits on the two support planks. Clamp the construction securely together.

Drill a hole into each side of the outer frame and then screw it to the inner frame.

Step 11 11

Attach the hanging garden to the wall

A drill is being used to drill a hole in the wall. — Now, attach the frame to wherever you like on the wall.

You need: Cordless drill/driver

In the final step, you now have to hang your hanging garden in a suitable place on the wall. It’s vital that this wall can support the weight of your hanging garden. Also make sure that your chosen location isn’t facing the sun and is protected from the wind.
Is your little green oasis securely attached to the wall? Then you can now enjoy hanging out on the terrace, balcony or wherever you’ve hung your garden even more!