Too Lazy To Garden
All builds
Beginner
40 inch wide × 48 inch tall × 4 inch deep
1 – 2 hours
$15 – $40

Pallet Vertical Garden

A shipping pallet turned into a living wall. Perfect for small spaces, patios, and herb gardens near the kitchen.

Estimated cost

$15 – $40

Estimated time

1 – 2 hours

Lifespan

2–4 seasons

Soil needed

3–4 cubic feet of potting mix

Weight empty

20–30 lbs

Weight full

80–120 lbs

Best for

Herbs, strawberries, lettuce, and trailing flowers on fences or patios

Placement

Lean against a sunny wall or fence. Make sure the support can handle the wet weight.

Boards to Buy

Boards to BuyQuantityWhat You Use Them For
Heat-treated pallet (HT stamp)1Frame
Landscape fabric3 ft × 6 ftBack and pocket liner
Potting mix3–4 cubic ftFills pockets
Staples1 boxAttach fabric
  • ·Optional: 2×4 legs to make it freestanding
  • ·Optional: drip irrigation line across the top

Steps

  1. 1Check the pallet stamp — use only HT (heat-treated), never MB.
  2. 2Staple landscape fabric across the back and bottom, folding it into each slat gap to form pockets.
  3. 3Lean the pallet against a wall at a slight angle so it does not tip.
  4. 4Fill each pocket with potting mix.
  5. 5Plant herbs, strawberries, or greens in the pockets, firming the soil.
  6. 6Water gently from the top and let it drain through.
  7. 7Add a drip line across the top slat for easy watering.

Tools needed

  • ·Staple gun
  • ·Scissors or utility knife
  • ·Tape measure
  • ·Work gloves

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ·Using pallets stamped MB — they are treated with methyl bromide
  • ·Not backing the pallet with landscape fabric — soil falls out
  • ·Planting heavy crops like tomatoes — they pull the pallet over
  • ·Forgetting to water — vertical gardens dry out fast

Maintenance tips

Water daily in summer. Refresh potting mix each season. Replace rotting slats as needed.

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My Pallet Vertical Garden notes

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