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Potted plants hanging on a steel screen on a paling fence

Overview

Give your garden a stylish makeover with a simple-to-install vertical garden kit. It's basic to assemble and utilises a ready-made outdoor screen panel – too easy! Here's how:

Steps

1Measure up!

The first step is to decide where you want your vertical garden. Once you've got a spot in mind, measure up to figure out how many panels you'll need. Head in store to see which screen you would like to use – there are lots of different styles to choose from. And remember: when deciding on your location, don't forget to consider practical things like proximity to the nearest tap, or how much sunlight the area will likely get.

A person measuring the distance from a fence post

2Check everything's level

You'll need a friend for this bit – get them to hold your panel up to the fence or wall and use your level to check it's straight (when the bubble is in the middle, you'll know you're on the money). Once this is done, mark up where you need to drill the holes with a pencil. The easiest place to hang a screen is on the horizontal rail of a fence.

A person holding a spirit level on the top of a steel screen

3Drill your holes

Drill holes at the front and back of your green wall screen to attach to your surface – don't forget to have your eye protection on for this bit, as you'll be drilling through steel. Safety first!

A person drilling a hole in a steel screen panel

4Screw in your panel

Screw your panel straight to the fence using a 75mm galvanised metal screw, making sure it's secure. It's a good idea to put one screw in then check that it's straight using your spirit level again before affixing your other side.

A person fixing a steel screen to a paling fence using a cordless drill

5Pot your plants

This is the fun bit – choosing what you want to hang in your garden! There are no right or wrong pot plants for a vertical garden, it all depends on your preferences. If you're looking for a practical and pretty plant, think about incorporating herbs (you can snip some off to use in the kitchen), or if you want a no-fuss, love-it-and-leave-it option, opt for succulents. We have a heap of varieties of both – but really, the sky's the limit! Use a good quality potting mix and pack your plants in nice and snug – and they're ready for their new home!

A person hanging a potted plant on a steel screen on a paling fence

6Hang your plant pots

Use your hanging brackets to arrange your pots on the screen any way you choose. Pop as many, or as few, plants on as you like. Alternating long planters with smaller pots looks especially good and provides a nice focal point to an otherwise boring bit of fence or wall. If you can't get hold of brackets, you can also use cable ties to affix your planters to the screen – just make sure you snip away excess length.

A person hanging a potted plant on a steel screen on a paling fence

7Let it grow

How great does that look? Remember – you can swap your plants out seasonally to keep them looking fresh. These screens can be made as a decorative focal point to your garden or can be used for more practical purposes like hiding bins or an ugly bit of fence. So, get creative!

8Watch more projects from this episode

Watch the full episode and more D.I.Y. projects from Make It Yours Episode 3: Backyard Makeover by Tim and Mat.

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.