Frequently Asked Questions

I apologize for my delay in posting. Things at the farm have been quite busy with the hustle and bustle of the annual Whidbey Island Farm Tour. But I now have time to sit down and write. :-)

So many people have asked me questions about the wall. I thought it might be useful to post these questions. Perhaps they would answer some questions YOU may have. Feel free to leave any comments or questions you have that were not answered.

Q: What is the wall built of?
A: The structure of the wall is built of three things: posts to support the wall, wire (hogwire and chicken wire), and Typar. The posts were cemented several feet into the ground to support the large structure. On each side of the posts, a foot apart, the sides of the wall were erected. After the sides were thoroughly wired to the posts and to each other, the wall was filled dirt.

Q: How do you plant in the wall?
A: It is very simple to plant in the wall. You need three basic tools: a razor knife, a shovel, and wire cutters. I would recommend wearing gardening gloves because the wires can be rough on the hands. Simply cut the wires and bend them back making ample room for whatever you are planting. Then slit the Typar the appropriate size. Shovel out the dirt and gently place your plant inside. Within a few days your plant will begin to grow skyward. It is very exciting to see watch it grow up!

Q: How long did it take to plant the wall?
A: There are two walls at the farm, each is planted on both sides. It took me approximately 8 hours to plant each side. Keep in mind there were probably hundreds of plants for each side. Because there are more steps than normal gardening it does take longer. But it is well worth the effort when you see your final result!

Q: Is it possible to make a smaller version of your Vertical Garden?
A: Yes! It is very feasible to make a small Vertical Garden for those who don't have enough space or time. You could even build a small cube with the primary goal of growing salad greens. The possibilities are endless!

Q: What kind of things grow well on the Vertical Garden?
A: I found SO many things that grow well, particularly salad greens. Any sort of mustard, lettuce, kale, pac choi, etc. does exceedingly well. I have grown many herbs (Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley) and flowers. Petunias are perhaps the best flowers to plant in the wall. They do a great job of covering and flowing. Any climbing vines or flowers are fabulous! I haven't experimented AS much with vegetables, but tomatoes have done great, as well as Chard.

Q: How do you fertilize?
A: I have found it easiest to use liquid fertilizer (MiracleGro) and to pour small amounts into each hole using a watering can.

Q: How do you water?
A: We have placed a soaker hose at the top of the wall. Actually, I have found that the wall very rarely dries out. Because it is shaded it stays very wet. The top foot or so dries out but the soaker hose does a good job at watering that. As I plant I water them in to keep them from going into too much shock.

I think that covers the questions I am asked most often. Like I said, please ask any questions you may have. This IS experimental so I cannot garantee that I can answer everything. :-) We are also at the end of the season so there won't be a lot to post about between now and spring. But I am eagerly anticipating the planning for next year's Vertical Garden!

I was able to harvest some salad greens from the wall this past week. What fun!

Replacement time!

So now comes the fun part....replacing things that have gone to seed! In my last post I mentioned that although lettuce does great in the wall, it has to be replanted after a while. Today we took out the lettuce that I planted during that first week. Some of it is almost as tall as I am! It seemed really bare after we were done but it was nice to get it all cleaned up. I planted more lettuce since it seems to love the conditions of the wall so much. It really thrives!

So while we were pulling out the old lettuce we realized an issue. Naturally over time the outer leaves of lettuce brown and rot. However, since the lettuce grows up and against the wall the leaves rot faster. If you don't take away the rotten leaves it will spread quickly. So we have just realized that we need to constantly be checking for leaves that are rotting between the lettuce and the wall.

I am beginning to formulate a plan in my head for next year. It's difficult to decide between really interesting things and plants that fill out and cover. Maybe I will do a combination. I suppose I have all winter to think about it! I really like the practicality of the wall. It can be very useful for planting vegetables and herbs. My desire is for it to be a practical display garden; a garden that produces salad greens, parsley, kale, etc. in a way that is attractive and unique. And of course flowers are a must!

I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am open and asking for any suggestions that anyone might have. While I have learned A LOT this year about vertical gardening, I would still love to hear other ideas. Please leave a comment and enjoy the pictures!

Linnea was deadheading the pansies while Mrs. Rawls and

I were discussing next year's plans for the wall.Me

Linnea, Me and Mrs. Rawls

Almost done...

I finished Wall #4 yesterday! Well...almost. I have about 1 1/2 rows still to do. But it is so nice to see it really shaping up. So for this wall Mrs. Rawls suggested the I do vertical rows. It was a fabulous idea! In the wall, things naturally grow up so they should easily keep their vertical lines.

I did a brief inventory in my mind of what we had and what could go in the wall. A lot of what I was planning to use several weeks ago has now been planted in other places. But that's ok. I was still able to work with what we had. Last year all of the Alyssum that we planted in the Quilted Garden went to seed and we were blessed with an abundance of it this year. It didn't exactly flow with the design so we dug it up and repotted it. It's been a lifesaver! It works very well in the wall and we have plenty. :-)

I have discovered that Thyme is fabulous in the wall! It just grows right up and fills out. It's been amazing to watch how fast things grow in the wall. On Wednesday I planted some Thyme and Petunias. When I went into work on Thursday morning they had already started to grow up! I couldn't believe it! I am looking forward to seeing what it will be like by next week! Also...we have tomatoes growing!

Until next time.... Wall #4

The strawberries almost reach the ground!!!

Update!

Ok so it's been a while since I posted anything about how the gardens are doing. Part of it is because I haven't actually seen the gardens in a while with so much other stuff going on. But between yesterday and this morning I was able to really evaluate them and get some good pics. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to do any actual gardening in a while.

It has been very hard to keep things wet with the dry spell we've had, so I have to say that, in spite of the "draught", things are doing very well! The wall is really starting to fill out! The only drawback is that some things have gone to seed and I haven't had time to replace them. The Joi Choi and Mustard have both gone to seed and I suspect the lettuce will soon. No worries! But do keep in mind if you ever choose to plant these things in your wall (if you decide to take on such a challenge) that you will need to plan for succession plants. You may decide against it because it would have to be replanted several times a year. That is why we chose against an entire wall of lettuce. Could you imagine planting a wall of lettuce three times each year?! Talk about time consuming!

I think my favorite part of the wall right now is the pansies in the walkway. They are all blooming right now and are so beautiful! I also started on my next wall. However, you only get a small glimpse of what it will be like. (Just because it's not done yet. ;-) But I hope to finish that this week. I think that's all I have for now. I plan to do another update soon when I have spent more time working with my hands. :-)

The Warm Side

The Cool Side

Wall #1

Wall #2

Pansy Arch

Wall #3

Wall #4 (A glimpse of what's to come.)

Another side is finished!

Yesterday I finished my third side of the Vertical Garden. It is very time consuming because you have to cut the wire, slit the typar, dig the hole, then find a way to fit the plant in the hole. Up until now other gardens have taken a priority, but I have finally found the time to complete this one. I have to say I am very satisfied with its outcome.

Only one side left! Now I have been paying very close attention to the plants as they grow in this strange establishment and several have just thrived! I think one of the most interesting is the strawberry plant. You'll see why in the picture. The petunias are doing fabulous! By far the best plant for the wall. Pansies also seem to like it. I planted them a few weeks ago when they were smaller and now they are starting to bloom .YAY! As far as veggies go, I think the lettuce would get first place. I didn't think it would get so big! It really just fills out. I love it! Let's see....what else is doing well. Actually I can't think of much that isn't loving it. Except maybe the Coleus. I don't think get as much shade as they would like.

One thing I am looking for as I watch these plants grow are plants that really fill out. Even though some are surviving and doing ok, they aren't really covering as much as I would like. Plants that I have noticed to fill out are Petunias, pansies, lettuce, chard, alyssum, and Mimulus. So those are definitely keepers. Well, I think I have spoken enough. Now I will allow you to see for yourself. ENJOY!

What a week!

This week was incredible! So much was accomplished and everyone has been working so hard. First I will comment on new things I have learned about Vertical Garden planting. 1) Planting things while they are small is so much easier! It is much more difficult to stuff a plant into a small hole when it comes out of a 4 in. pot. 2)Don't plant things while they are TOO small. There seems to be a fine line when determining the size to plant. Big enough to hold it's own, but not too big to fit into the hole. There were a few things I planted that died off because they weren't quite to the point to support themselves. Oh well. Live and learn. The second wall I planted seemed to thrive more and I think it might be because the plants were stronger.

I am SO excited to see the difference in the farm comparing this week to last week. Last Monday the guys started laying the Typar for the courtyard and VOILA! It's beautiful! There is now a wonderful, meandering path from the Quilted Garden to the Vertical Garden. There are several different aspects to the Courtyard. 1) The Lavender Display Garden, we planted many different kinds of lavender. 2) the Miniature Garden, this seems to charm every person who views it. It's so easy to see why. It's so cute! 3) The Herb Garden, obviously this is the place for the herbs. Then you reach the Wall! It is truly an amazing experience. I am so glad I am able to be a part of it. I will now take you on a pictoral tour of the gardens at A Knot In Thyme.

View from the Distance

Entrance to the Quilted Garden (The Warm Side) (The Cool Side)

Entrance to the Courtyard

The Lavender Display Garden The Miniature Garden The Herb Garden My newly finished wall Looking back from the Wall.

I hope you enjoyed the tour. If you haven't come out to see it in person, I encourage you to do so. :-) Nothing gives us more joy than to share the peacefulness of the gardens with others.

Beginning of the Courtyard....

Today Levi and Isaiah started work on the Courtyard. It is really taking shape! The idea is a winding path from the Quilted Garden to the Vertical Garden. It will meander through beds of annuals and perennials. Today they finished laying the Typar and setting the path with bricks. It was very fun to watch it all come together. It really makes it all mesh and flow!

I also started work on planting the second wall. I decided that doing it in blocks would be fun! So it will somewhat resemble a patchwork quilt. Not quite so random as the other one!

I know you all are wondering so I will tell you that the dirt has settled very nicely! I am not afraid for the plants I planted today, I think they are quite safe. It took about a week and half for the dirt to completely settle. I am really glad I waited because the dirt dropped about two feet! I couldn't imagine planting before it settled! Also, the plants that are doing exceptionally well are as follows: Alyssum, Petunias, Parsley, Phlox, Mustard, Joi Choi.

From left to right, what I planted in the new wall is as follows: Various Red Lettuce, Hybrid Phlox, Redbor Kale, Mustard and Endive, Alyssum (Wonderland Deep Rose), Swiss Chard (Bright Lights)

Plant Usage

So today as I worked on the wall I paid special attention to what plants were doing well and which ones were questionable. I thought it would be helpful to list which plants I have planted so far (If I can remember them all!).

*-Doing significantly well from what I can tell so far.

*Lettuce (Many varieties, ask for more info)

Kale-Winterbor

Swiss Chard- Bright Lights, Ruby Red

*Alyssum-wonderland copper, deep purple

African Daisy

* Petunia

Pansy

Parsley- darki, Italian Flat Leaf

Strawberries

Tomato

Iceplant-harlequin

Dianthus- Pinks

Mustard

Chinese Cabbage- Joi Choi

I have planted a lot more I just can't remember what they are. I will update this tomorrow after I pay the wall another visit. :-) And I will continue to update you on which plants thrive.

I think the dirt is mostly settled on the first wall. We have figured out that if we water it in 30 minute increments periodically during the day that it will settle quickly. I am hoping that by this weekend the second wall will be completely ready for planting. After the last catastrophe, I have decided that I would rather wait a little longer than risk the wall's hunger for more parsley. :-) Feel free to comment with any questions or suggestions you may have. This is a learning experience for me and for everyone else.

Thus begins the building of the Wall....

Isaiah Rawls and I (Alyssa Hower) before we plant the wall.

Our first plant!!

The beginning of the first wall.

Then comes the building of the wall. The guys (Josh, Joel, Isaiah, Levi) have done a great a job stabilizing the wall. First they set posts in concrete several feet down. The actual wall is built of hogwire layered on the inside with shadecloth. The shadecloth holds in the dirt. To prevent bowing they completely wired the inside. After all was stable, in went the dirt. Bucket after bucket went in but now they are both full and just about ready for planting. Planting has begun on the first wall. It has been so strange to plant on the side of a wall as opposed to the ground. We have learned the hard way that we must first let the dirt settle, THEN plant. We began planting while the dirt was still fluffy and dry. After we watered it and the dirt began to sink and settle down went the plants! Note to self: Start planting at the bottom, and don't plant until ALL the dirt has settled and you know it won't sink anymore. I have already needed to replant several Parsleys which have been swallowed by the wall as the dirt settled. :-( No fun! Ah well, like I said, this is experimental so now we know. :-)

An Idea!

First, a little background. In 2006, Jack and Wendy Rawls, along with their children, took over the Holly and Lavender Farm (A Knot in Thyme) on DeGraff Rd. in Oak Harbor, WA. Immediately the family began to envision what a fabulous place the farm could be with just a little extra effort. Through Wendy's gardening experience and Jack's farm know-how, the "farm" became a destination! In April of 2008 construction began on the Quilted Garden. What fabulous results! It is so pleasant to meander through the gardens admiring the beautiful flowers, vegetables, and herbs which display such a beautiful feast for the eyes. Planting of The Quilted Garden has been in full force this month; it shouldn't be long before it's blossoming and billowing with gorgeous flowers and veggies.

While doing some gardening research in one of the many gardening books in the shop, I came across an idea that seemed impossible at first. A Vertical Garden? It seems fun but what are the odds we could pull that one off?! At least, those were my thoughts. But Isaiah Rawls took off with the idea and immediately began to configure a design to build this "wall". Through many brain storms and plan drawings, we were finally able to establish a plan.

Here was our plan:

The wall will be a wall of dirt. Sounds simple, but is a little more complicated than it may sound. How would we stabilize it? What will we make it out of? How thick CAN we make it? How will we water it? Where should we put it where BOTH sides of the wall will get enough sun? How can we make it where the wall with not bow out with all the weight of the dirt and gallons and gallons of water? What could we plant that would grow well on the side of a wall? These were all questions that had to be answered before we could start. Obviously, the first thing we did was Google it. Lo and behold, no one has attempted a garden such as this. And if they have, they certainly have not posted any information online about it. Therefore, we were forced to learn things the hard way. This is what we call experimentation. We will be learning as we go what works and what doesn't. What plants just keel over and die, and which ones thrive. The purpose of this journal is to pass our new-found knowledge of vertical gardening to the world of flat gardens. I hope it is useful and that others will gain inspiration to do what they thought was the impossible.