How the Garden Tower 2 Promotes Soil Health and Longevity

Comparing Traditional Farming and Vertical Vegetable Gardening’s Environmental Impact

a man tending to several Garden Tower 2's filled to the brim with nutritious herbs, vegetables, and flowersWhile soil may seem insignificant to the untrained eye, it’s one of the most important backbones of our ecosystem. From supporting man-made structures to growing plants, improving soil health is one of the main goals here at Garden Tower Project. Ready to learn more about how you can promote healthy soil while growing your own food in the process? As experts in vertical vegetable gardening and environmentalism, we’re here to help.

Traditional Agriculture: Toxic Fertilizers, Space Issues, and Poor Drainage

Environmental Effects of an Outdated Practice

several rows of herbs being grown in a traditional farming field rather than a vertical vegetable gardenTraditional agriculture is still practiced all around the world. If you've ever driven past a large field of crops, then you’ve seen this type of farming at work. However, did you know that 27% of greenhouse gas emissions are created from traditional crop production? Because of their environmental repercussions, this is one of the least sustainable ways to grow fruits and vegetables.

These large fields are typically the result of deforestation, irrigation problems, and even biodiversity loss. While they may serve the purpose of feeding local communities, they’re also damaging ecosystems in the process. Traditional farming also typically uses toxic fertilizers from Europe and Russia and relies on genetically modified foods which tend to be harsh on both the soil and our bodies. While this style of agriculture is an outdated practice, we’ve found a way to update the process while promoting sustainability and accessibility.

Why Does Soil Health Matter?

Healthier Soil Equals a Healthier Population and Planet

closeup of a person holding organic soilSoil health means so much more than just how well your garden will grow—here are some of the top ways that it affects our ecosystem AND our lives:

  • Filtering Pollution: Did you know that the soil is purifying our water and fighting climate change as we speak? If it’s holding on to too many pollutants from farming, though, it will no longer be able to help us filter water, absorb harmful chemicals, or grow plants.
  • Cycling Nutrients: Many nutrients, including carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen, are stored, transformed, and cycled throughout the soil. With the addition of toxic fertilizers and other chemicals being used in traditional farming, it can be impossible to properly cycle these nutrients, affecting the ecosystem.
  • Providing Support and Stability: During your commute to work, take a look around you—typically, there are various shrubs, trees, and other types of plant life. Without healthy, structurally sound soil, these plants’ roots can’t support themselves, causing a huge environmental (and aesthetic) effect!
No matter how you look at it, soil is one of the main foundations of our ecosystem, making its health crucial for our wellbeing.

Vertical Vegetable Gardening: Vermicompost, Sustainable Design, and Larger Harvests

Building a Sustainable and Accessible Future With Vertical Vegetable Gardens

a woman posing in front of her Garden T 2 with a bowl of harvested herbs and greensSo, how can you help support soil health? Three words—vertical vegetable gardening. It’s sustainable, accessible, and promotes food freedom and security, too! Plus, widespread gardening is great for mental health. As compared to traditional agriculture, using a Garden Tower 2 takes far less space, can be used indoors, and even allows those living in urban areas to reduce their food waste through vermicomposting.

This style of composting is great for both the soil AND plants. By using this low-maintenance component of your Tower, worms will create nutrient-rich organic waste that allows your plants to thrive. It’s a perfect cycle that can save upwards of 50 gallons of kitchen scraps per year. Plus, because your Tower will have extra nutrients from vermicomposting, you won’t be reliant on toxic and non-organic fertilizers that many traditional gardeners must use for their plants to grow. The only “fertilizer” you’ll need is as simple as kitchen scraps and composting worms!


As vertical vegetable gardening continues to become the norm for many people around the world, our team has been pleased to see less reliance on traditional agricultural methods. We believe that anyone can grow their own food—no matter their age, physical ability, or even living situation. Because we advocate for accessibility and food security, we offer various additional resources to help you start your environmentalism journey. Visit Garden Tower Project today to learn more about how you can improve your local ecosystem by starting a vegetable garden.

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