Abstract:

This paper presents the successful realization of an indoor vertical garden project at the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering of Ciudad Real (ETSIA-CR) at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), featuring a wide range of objectives. These encompassed educating students in the assembly of vertical gardens, exploring suitable plant species for indoor and hydroponic cultivation, and studying the management and maintenance of such gardens. Additionally, the project aimed to foster social inclusivity by involving young people with intellectual disabilities in various gardening tasks and to showcase a unique green space within the UCLM's teaching buildings.

Remarkably, the achieved outcomes surpassed all predetermined objectives, elevating the vertical garden into a captivating attraction that drew a continuous stream of visitors from the region. The project's meticulous data collection covered a wide range of controlled parameters, including water usage, fertilization practices, lighting arrangements, water quality, plant maintenance routines, and the monitoring of environmental conditions, such as carbon dioxide levels.

In response to the existing knowledge gap in this domain, a dedicated research zone was formed within the garden premises to delve into the adaptability and behavior of plants under diverse conditions. This included investigations into their response to the influence of illumination and humidity to varying heights and the introduction of local plant species.

Furthermore, the integration of the vertical garden into the curricula of multiple subjects, such as Hydraulics, Phytotechnology Complements, Electrification, and Pressure Irrigation Systems, provided students with a tangible and versatile experimental platform. The garden's presence also served as a powerful motivator for students, inspiring them to pursue Bachelor's Final Project centered around this cutting-edge topic, creating another potential area of expertise for our graduates.

Keywords:

Green wall, vertical hydroponic garden, vertical planting.