Veggies That Climb: Trellis-Growing Vegetables

Trellises, those vertical garden structures, are not just for climbing roses or ivy. They can also be home to a variety of vegetables, transforming your garden into a productive and visually appealing space. By growing vegetables on trellises, you're maximizing your garden's potential, saving space, and often improving the health of your plants.

Vegetables that grow well on trellises are typically vining or climbing plants. They use the trellis as a support structure to grow upwards, rather than outwards. This not only saves space but also makes harvesting easier and prevents soil-borne diseases by keeping the vegetables off the ground.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are one of the most popular vegetables to grow on trellises. They are vigorous climbers and can reach lengths of 6 to 8 feet. Trellising cucumbers keeps them off the ground, preventing rot and making it easier to spot and pick ripe fruits.

To trellis cucumbers, install a sturdy trellis or fence at the time of planting. As the plants grow, gently guide the vines onto the trellis. Cucumbers can be grown on a variety of trellis types, including wire cages, wooden lattices, or even chain-link fences.

Squash

Summer and winter squash are also excellent candidates for trellising. These plants can spread out and cover a large area, but they grow well vertically as well. Trellising squash saves space and makes it easier to find and harvest the fruits.

Choose a sturdy trellis for squash, as the plants can become quite heavy with fruit. As the plants grow, gently tie the vines to the trellis to provide support. Some varieties of squash, like 'Tromboncino', are specifically bred for trellising and produce fruits that grow straight and are easy to pick.

Peas

Peas are another vegetable that benefits from trellising. They are climbing plants that use tendrils to attach themselves to supports. Trellising peas keeps the plants off the ground, preventing rot and making it easier to harvest the pods.

Install a trellis or fence at the time of planting. As the peas grow, they will naturally climb the trellis. If the peas are not a climbing variety, you can gently guide the vines onto the trellis as they grow. Some gardeners even use netting or chicken wire to create a more supportive structure for peas.

Beans

Both bush and pole beans can be grown on trellises. Pole beans are climbing plants that require a support structure to grow, while bush beans can be trellised to save space and improve air circulation.

For pole beans, install a trellis or teepee-style structure at the time of planting. As the beans grow, they will naturally climb the trellis. For bush beans, wait until the plants are a few inches tall, then gently tie them to the trellis. This provides support as the plants grow and helps prevent the beans from falling to the ground.

Tomatoes

Indeterminate tomato varieties are vining plants that require a support structure to grow. While many gardeners use cages for their tomatoes, trellises can also be an effective and space-saving option.

Install a sturdy trellis or stake the plants at the time of planting. As the tomatoes grow, gently tie the vines to the trellis using soft ties or strips of cloth. This provides support for the heavy fruit and helps keep the plant organized. Some gardeners even use a technique called "Florida weave" to train the tomato plants to grow in a spiral pattern up the trellis.

Incorporating trellised vegetables into your garden can greatly increase your yield and make your garden more productive. Plus, the vertical growth adds a unique aesthetic to your garden space. So, why not give it a try and see what delicious trellised vegetables you can grow in your garden?