Last summer I was blessed to be gifted a 5-tier GreenStalk Original as part of my acceptance into the affiliate program. Can I tell you how much I love it? I purchased 2 more over the past few months. And… I have decided I am buying a 4th in the St. Patrick’s Day sale!! So, I will be the proud owner of two 5-tier Originals and two 7-tier Leafs. I cannot wait to get my new ones set up so I can share what I'm growing!
Why do I love them? A GreenStalk is a great way to add a lot of planting space in a small footprint. If I had known about them when I starting gardening in 2020 I fear my patio would have been covered in them. You can add them to your existing garden space, a patio, a balcony, or a deck without much hassle. And depending on the model you gain space for up to 30 or 42 plants.
I feel like I am typing the same info over and over every time I promote a sale, so I put together this GreenStalk FAQ that I can refer to when people ask. I hope it helps you decide if you want to purchase a GreenStalk!
Use my code, LTG10 for $10 off your purchase of $75 of more.
How Tall and How Wide is the GreenStalk?
I’m 5’3” and I have no problem reaching the top of my GreenStalk to add water, or to harvest plants at the top.
- The 5-tier GreenStalk Original is 55” tall.
- The 3-tier GreenStalk Original is 35” tall.
- The 7-tier GreenStalk Leaf is 56” tall.
- The 5-tier GreenStalk Leaf is 40”
All planters are approximately 19” wide without plants. When choosing a space, be sure there is clearance all around for spreading plants, and for you to walk around if needed.
How Much Does a GreenStalk weigh?
A 5-tier GreenStalk Original full of wet soil and plants weighs approximately 150 lbs. The Leaf is similar in weight. So, no worries putting them on a deck, or balcony.
How Many Plants Can I Plant?
- The 5-tier GreenStalk Original has 30 pockets
- The 3-tier Original has 18 pockets
- The 7-tier Leaf has 42 pockets
- The 5-tier Leaf has 30 pockets
Depending on what you plant, multiples plants can be sowed in each pocket.
Can I Mix and Match? How Tall Can I Go?
Yes! You can mix and match. GreenStalk has recommendations for max height and which tiers should be where. Just be sure to follow the specs and you can create your own unique GreenStalk.
If you are mixing and matching tiers, this is the maximum amount of tiers GreenStalk recommends:
- 1 Original + 5 Leaf
- 2 Original + 4 Leaf
- 3 Original + 3 Leaf
- 4 Original + 2 Leaf
For maximum stability, they recommend stacking the Original tiers on the bottom and the Leaf tiers above.
Do I Have to Use Certain Soil?
A good quality potting mix is best. You are free to mix your own, Mel's mix, buy pre-packaged, or do a combination. GreenStalk recommends Pro-Mix, Fox Farm, or Espoma. Avoid using topsoil or garden soil. However, you are free to use what you are comfortable with. Do not use straight garden soil or topsoil. Those are too dense.
Do I Need the Mover or Ultimate Base? Does it Come with Wheels?
I highly recommend the Ultimate Spinner Base! It allows you to turn your GreenStalk around to be sure all sides get adequate sun. This is important if you are sitting your GreenStalk on a patio or Balcony where sunlight might be uneven during certain times of the day. And, it helps you reach plants on all sides. It does not need the wheels to turn. However, you can add the wheels if you want to roll it. You also might want to roll it up against your house or garage for shelter in bad storms.
The Mover base comes with the wheels and allows you to turn or move it. If you already have a Mover and you upgrade to the Ultimate Spinner, you can remove the wheels and put them on the Ultimate Spinner.
Can I Sit it on Dirt or Mulch?
Yes you can. But, it must be on a level surface for stability and even watering. I recommend purchasing a large patio stone. I purchased a 24” round patio stone from a local store, leveled it, and put my GreenStalk on top. It has been there almost a year with no issues.
Will it Blow Over in the Wind?
Once filled and weighed down with soil and plants the GreenStalks are very, very stable. And if your GreenStalk is level it should be fine. As mentioned above, mine has been in place for a year and has not moved. We have had wind storms, thunderstorms, blizzards, and tornado warnings and the GreenStalk did not move. However, if you have the ability and you know that a really wind storm is coming it is recommended that you water it to add weight and move your GreenStalk close to your house or other structure to be sheltered a bit from the wind.
What Can I Grow?
The possibilities are almost endless! I have only had mine for a year. So far I have grown peppers, lots of bush beans, herbs, potatoes, beets, flowers, leeks, onions, sorrel, and chives.
The year I am doing a full tower of peppers in one of my Originals! I believe the other Original will be filled with brassicas like collards, mustards, cabbages, and bok choy. And I am fitting in onions, leeks, chives, and basil everywhere I can to hopefully deter pests. My 2 Leafs will be filled with shallow rooted veggies. I have not completed that list just yet!
Others have grown squash, zucchini, full heads of cabbage, a full tower of cucumbers. I'm amazed at what I have seen grown in GreenStalks!
There are recommendations for what can go in a Leaf versus what you should grow in an Original. Shallow rooted plants work well in a Leaf. Deep rooted plants or root crops like carrots should be grown in an Original. Download the full GreenStalk Planting Guide.
How Do I Water?
Watering is easy! You can hold your hose in the reservoir at the top until water flows through the bottom. There are markings for the number of tiers. If you fill to the proper line, the water should reach all tiers. However, on super hot days I prefer to let the water run through and watch it runs out of the bottom of the Mover base to make sure that soil is saturated. And, when starting new plants I water each pocket individually for a while until they are good and established.
How Much Soil Does it Hold?
- The 5-tier GreenStalk Original holds 5 cubic feet (40 gallons) of potting mix.
- The 7-tier Leaf holds 5.5 cubic feet (42 gallons) of potting mix.
GreenStalk has several great sales throughout the year! Head on over to the GreenStalk website. Use my code, LTG10, to save an additional $10 off your purchase of $75 or more… even on top of the sale price!
Want to see my GreenStalk in action? Click out my GreenStalk Playlist on YouTube.
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