Many gardeners grow their vines and leave them lying around on the ground, simply because it is the habit and they have always done so. However, people are discovering that there are many benefits to growing garden plants, such as cucumbers, squash and watermelons, vertically. Not only do your plants have a smaller footprint, but they are less susceptible to disease and fungal growth because of the extra airflow; the fruit is cleaner, more uniform in shape and easier to harvest.
Follow these six fantastic tips to start growing your cucumber plants vertically on trellises!
- Cucumber Variety
There are two varieties of cucumbers: a shrub and a vine. For your plant to grow and cover a trellis, you need to choose a variety that grows the vine and attaches to the structure. Another interesting advantage, according to Bonnie Plants, is that vine cucumbers have higher yields than Bush varieties. - Trellis design
One of the first things to consider for your trellis is the shape or design you want it to have. When choosing a design, keep in mind the space limitations you are working with, the aesthetics you want to maintain in the garden and the functions that are important. In small spaces, you can use a simple vertical wall trellis, but cucumbers will be harder to find and harvest. If space allows, an arch or A-frame may be a better option for easy harvesting. Get Busy Gardening has detailed instructions explaining how to build your own cucumber arch trellis. - Trellis strength
Consider the materials your trellis is or will be built on. To keep it from buckling or even breaking under the weight of fully formed cucumbers, you need a trellis that can support that weight – for example, a solid wood frame. Use metal fencing or PVC pipe if you build it yourself.4. Trellis height
If you’re building an A-frame or curved trellis – or even buying one – keep in mind the height of the final trellis.
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