Vertical Gardening on a Budget: Mr. Stacky Planter Review

Gardening TechniquesStarting and Maintaining a Garden

May 30

mr. stackys vertical planter, strawberry tower, vertical planting

If you're like me and love growing your own food but don’t always have the space—or the budget—for fancy setups, then vertical gardening might just be your new best friend. Today I’m giving you my honest review of the Mr. Stacky vertical planter, including how I used it to plant four different varieties of strawberries in a small space without breaking the bank.

Why I Chose Mr. Stacky (a.k.a. the Budget Buster Story)

Full disclosure—I originally had my heart set on buying a GreenStalk planter. But life happened, and I missed their big Mother’s Day sale. Combine that with already blowing through most of my gardening budget for the season, and I was forced to look for a more affordable option.

That’s when I found Mr. Stacky. For the price of just one tier of a GreenStalk, I could get an entire 5-tier Mr. Stacky planter. It felt like a no-brainer—so I went for it. This post is all about what I discovered after unboxing, assembling, and planting in this budget-friendly vertical garden solution.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Mr. Stacky arrived in a single box, and assembly was as straightforward as it gets. The instructions were minimal, but honestly, I didn’t need them. The pots are shaped to stack naturally with a center column to stabilize them. Within 10 minutes, I had the entire setup filled with soil and ready to go.

The plastic felt lightweight but not flimsy. It’s not industrial-grade by any means, but for the price, I was actually impressed. Each tier has four pockets, meaning you can plant up to 20 individual plants in a small footprint. That’s a huge space-saver if you're gardening on a patio, balcony, or deck.

Planting 4 Varieties of Strawberries

For this test, I wanted to really put the Mr. Stacky to work. I planted four different varieties of strawberries—some everbearing and some June-bearing—to see how they’d perform in the vertical environment. Here's how I prepped the stacker:

I filled each pocket with organic potting mix, enriched with compost for extra nutrients.I also watered in each tier to make sure the plants would be moist.
I used my hands to create planting holes so that the roots could nestle in easily.
After gently tucking in each strawberry plant, I watered the top tier slowly to allow the moisture to trickle down.

One thing to note: because the planter relies on gravity for water distribution, it’s essential to water thoroughly from the top. Otherwise, the lower tiers may dry out faster. This system does a decent job of distributing moisture, but I’ll definitely be watching how evenly things stay hydrated over time.

Ease of Use & Accessibility

Another huge plus of the Mr. Stacky is accessibility. Unlike traditional garden beds where I have to bend down or squat, the vertical height allows me to care for most of my strawberries at waist level. It's a small change, but it makes garden maintenance so much easier—especially when you're doing daily watering and harvesting.

What I Love (and What I Don’t)

planting strawberries in mr. stacky vertical planter

👍 Pros:

Super affordable (especially compared to GreenStalk)
Quick and easy to assemble
Compact—perfect for small spaces
Holds up to 20 plants in just a couple of square feet

👎 Cons:

No built-in watering system (like the GreenStalk has)
Plastic isn’t as thick or sturdy
Lower tiers may dry out if not watered carefully
Mostly suitable for smaller plants

Comparing Mr. Stacky to GreenStalk

Now let’s talk about the comparison everyone wants to hear: how does Mr. Stacky hold up to GreenStalk?

GreenStalk definitely feels more premium. It’s made from heavier materials and has an integrated watering system, which makes it more hands-off once it's set up. But it also costs significantly more. For new gardeners, or those on a tight budget, Mr. Stacky is a fantastic entry-level option. You get 80-90% of the functionality for a fraction of the price.

Would I Buy It Again?

Absolutely. While it’s not perfect, Mr. Stacky is a great way to dip your toes into vertical gardening without making a huge investment. It’s functional, flexible, and fun—and I’m excited to see how these strawberries perform over the coming months.

If you're considering vertical gardening this season, especially in a small space, I definitely recommend giving Mr. Stacky a try. You can check it out on the official website, and for even more info on how to grow strawberries in stacked planters, check out this great guide from Epic Gardening.

Want to know about the strawberry pests that plagued me last summber? Don’t miss my post on dealing with sumer pests.