Vertical garden

Abstract

Cultivation of the plants in vertically oriented substrate boxes that are connected to each other.

Description

[0001] Raised beds are currently used to green sealed surfaces on existing buildings or on the ground. These are usually assembled on-site by gardeners using pallets and other wooden components. These structures only last a few years and then have to be disposed of. Furthermore, pallets treated against mold are unsuitable for enclosing raised beds used for growing food. Commercially available raised beds are expensive relative to their growing area and not well-suited for urban gardening projects.

[0002] The vertical garden is a system that allows sealed surfaces to be greened sustainably, environmentally friendly, user-friendly, and cost-effectively. The frame and trellis structure is prefabricated from sustainably sourced wood and assembled on-site using detachable connections (carriage bolts). The substrate boxes are inserted vertically into the frame on both sides and secured in three places (wire and metal brackets). The combination of vertical substrate boxes and the freestanding frame allows for the greening of horizontal surfaces (protection claim 2). Larger plants are trained upwards via the trellis.

[0003] The use of space for garden projects is often temporary. The vertical garden can be dismantled and reassembled elsewhere without any loss of quality. To do this, the plants are trimmed, the individual substrate boxes are removed from the frame, and the trellis is disassembled. The individual parts are easy to transport (protection claim 4).

[0004] The plants are cultivated in vertically oriented EURO boxes as substrate containers (protection claim 1). The boxes measure 60 x 40 cm (length x width) and can have variable depths between 7 and 14 cm, depending on the size of the plants. The boxes are filled heaped with a light soil substrate and sealed with a UV-resistant fleece. To prevent the substrate from slipping, the boxes are wrapped with two wires placed crosswise. The plants are placed in the openings cut in the fleece. Irrigation is provided by an automatic drip irrigation system.

[0005] The vertical garden withstands even high wind loads thanks to its own weight (approx. 150 kg per element), the frame skids, and the force distribution via the trellises. Anchoring in the ground is not required (protection claim 2). Any number of frames can be connected via the trellises to create a larger vertical garden (protection claim 3). The modular design of the vertical garden allows for precise planning of an urban gardening project, adaptation to the area to be planted, and good cost control (protection claim 4).

[0006] The use of EURO boxes for plant cultivation is based on professional vertical garden systems, which typically employ panels with pre-cultivated plants integrated into a wall structure. Unlike most professional systems that use artificial substrates, this vertical garden utilizes garden soil and compost according to ecological principles. The vertical garden is easy for users to assemble. Its design allows for flexible configuration by using different frame heights to accommodate various user groups, such as children and people with disabilities (protection claim 4).

[0007] As the plants grow together throughout the growing season, the vertical garden creates arbor-like spaces of varying sizes. These can be used as retreats or for communal purposes. The complete shading achieved in summer, combined with the high condensation resulting from the large amount of foliage, makes this system a very effective way to cool the surrounding area.

[0008] An example of a vertical garden is shown using the Fig. 1 to 5 explained. Fig. Figure 1 shows the freestanding frame (1) with skids (2) made of weather-resistant 28 mm thick terrace boards (Douglas fir), into which the substrate containers are inserted vertically. Fig. Figure 2 shows a fully assembled module of the vertical garden. It consists of two frames (1), the connecting trellis (2), and the vertically oriented substrate boxes (3). Vertical timbers (4) are attached to the frame with carriage bolts to form the trellis. The supports (5), consisting of two parallel timbers, are connected to the vertical supports using carriage bolts (6). Fig. Figure 3 shows the prepared EURO box before the substrate is added. Openings for drip irrigation are incorporated into the top of the vertically oriented EURO box (1). Excess water can be directed through openings on the underside of the EURO box (2) either into the box below or drained via a pond liner into a water container. Fig. Figure 4 shows the closed EURO box after it has been filled with the substrate. The fleece (1) is pulled over the accumulated substrate while the container is held horizontally and attached to the EURO box with a Velcro strap (2). Two crosswise wires (3) further secure the fleece, creating four curved surfaces. Fig. Figure 5 shows the position of the drip irrigation (1) and the position of the foil for draining the excess irrigation water (2).

Claims

[1] Cultivation of the plants in vertically oriented substrate boxes that are connected to each other. [2] Assembly of vertical substrate containers in a freestanding frame. This makes it possible to green horizontal surfaces that are sealed or burdened without interfering with the building structure. [3] Modular structure of the “Vertical Garden”: By extending the “Vertical Garden” with additional frames, the “Vertical Garden” can be adapted to any spatial situation. [4] Rapid planning and implementation of a “vertical garden” by the users without professional support

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