You dream of a lush corner of green but only have a balcony or a tiny patio. A pallet vertical garden lets you transform a single wooden pallet into a productive mini garden for herbs, flowers or salads without blowing your budget. By up-cycling a wooden pallet and choosing the right plants, you can build a living wall for less than 20 €. This guide explains how to plan, build and plant your pallet garden step by step, which organic seeds work best, and how to keep the new green wall thriving all year.
DIY : Créez votre jardin vertical en palette pour moins de 20€
Temps de lecture : ~11 min
- What is a pallet vertical garden and why choose it
- Benefits and limits of a pallet vertical garden
- Materials and budget checklist under 20 €
- Step by step: build your pallet vertical garden
- To do / Not to do
- FAQ
What is a pallet vertical garden and why choose it
A pallet vertical garden re-uses a wooden transport pallet whose gaps become narrow planters. After closing the back and sides with fabric, you fill the cavities with potting soil and plant shallow-rooted herbs, flowers or vegetables. The upright structure leans against a wall or stands on a base, using height rather than precious floor space—perfect for urban balconies, small terraces or narrow outdoor strips. Re-using a pallet is also eco-friendly because you avoid new plastic containers while giving the wood a second life. The main limitations are frequent watering and limited soil volume, so compact plant choices and quality organic soil are essential.
Benefits and limits of a pallet vertical garden
Key benefits
Space saving: vertical surfaces replace ground area, ideal for balconies.
Low cost & up-cycling: a recovered pallet plus a little soil and seed keeps total spend under 20 €.
Ecological & aesthetic: re-use reduces waste and creates a living picture that feeds pollinators.
Great for herbs & salads: shallow-rooted crops such as basil, thyme or lettuce thrive in the narrow pockets.
Limits and constraints
Limited soil volume: roots cannot grow deep; choose compact varieties.
Watering needs: small pockets dry quickly; daily watering can be necessary in warm weather.
Wood durability: untreated wood may rot while chemically treated pallets are unsafe for edibles; protect with eco paint or natural oil.
Stability & safety: a soil-filled pallet is heavy; fix it securely to prevent tipping.
Materials and budget checklist under 20 €
Essential materials: one reclaimed wooden pallet (often free); geotextile or mulching fabric to line the back and sides; staples and a staple gun (or nails and tacks); organic potting soil for planters; organic seeds or young herb and salad plants. Optional yet useful: outdoor eco-friendly paint or stain for protection; small wood offcuts to reinforce the base; clay balls for drainage; a watering can with a fine rose. If you already own tools and leftover fabric, you can devote most of the budget to high-quality organic soil and seeds. Seed kits adapted to compact kitchen gardens are available at https://www.seedswild.com/shop.
Step by step: build your pallet vertical garden
Step 1 Choose a safe pallet
Select a pallet in good condition, free of suspicious chemical markings or odours. Clean it, hammer protruding nails back in place and sand sharp edges.
Step 2 Prepare and protect the wood
Sand rough surfaces, then apply outdoor eco paint or natural stain if desired. Let the wood dry completely before the next step.
Step 3 Create the planting pockets
Lay the pallet face down. Cover the entire back, sides and bottom with geotextile, stapling firmly. Add extra layers or U-shaped inner “bags” if you want deeper pockets, checking for gaps where soil could escape.
Step 4 Fill with organic soil
Turn the pallet face up but keep it horizontal. Add a thin layer of clay balls for drainage, then fill each cavity with a light, fertile, peat-free mix, tamping lightly to remove air pockets.
Step 5 Choose and sow the right plants
Opt for compact, shallow-rooted species such as basil, parsley, chives, lettuce, rocket, calendula or strawberries. Sow or plant from the top row down, leaving 10–15 cm between plants. Water gently so soil settles without washing out.
Step 6 Let roots establish before going vertical
Keep the pallet flat for two to three weeks so young roots anchor the soil. Extend to four weeks if seedlings are very small.
Step 7 Set the pallet upright and secure it
When roots are stable, lift the pallet into place and fix it to a wall, railing or sturdy base. Ensure the site offers several hours of light and is sheltered from torrential roof run-off.
Step 8 Watering and long-term care
Check moisture daily in warm weather; water slowly from the top until each pocket is moist. Add a surface dressing of compost once or twice a year, re-sow annuals each season, trim herbs regularly and refresh protective paint when needed.
To do / Not to do
| To do | Not to do |
|---|---|
| Choose clean pallets without chemical treatment | Use pallets with unknown industrial markings |
| Line with several geotextile layers for drainage | Overload pockets with too many plants |
| Keep pallet horizontal until roots anchor | Place the garden in full shade |
| Invest in quality organic soil and seeds | Leave the structure free-standing in strong wind |
| Secure the pallet firmly once vertical | Neglect regular watering |
FAQ
How do I keep my pallet vertical garden under 20 €?
Recover as much material as possible: pallets are often free from local shops, and leftover fabric from past projects works fine. Spend the limited budget on good organic potting soil and a few packets of seeds, which can fill several rows at a fraction of the cost of young plants.
Which plants should I avoid in a pallet vertical garden?
Species with deep or vigorous roots—large tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins or root crops such as carrots and parsnips—struggle in the narrow cavities. Stick to herbs, salads, strawberries and decorative shallow-rooted flowers.
How can I make my pallet vertical garden last longer?
Start with solid wood, sand it and protect it with eco paint or natural oil before planting. Ensure good drainage so water does not stagnate against the wood, and add a small overhang if heavy rain is frequent. Inspect and re-paint during the off-season as needed.
Create a thriving pallet vertical garden in any small space
Creating a pallet vertical garden for less than 20 € is an easy, rewarding way to grow more food and flowers in a small space while reducing waste. Explore further ideas and organic seed options at https://www.seedswild.com.
