The Vegetable Plants for a Trellis

The Vegetable Plants for a Trellis

The Vegetable Plants for a Trellis

Planting vegetables using a trellis provides benefits to gardeners beyond saving space. Managing insects and harvesting are simpler because vegetable crops are somewhat more accessible. Fewer vegetables have been wasted because ripe fruit are not hidden behind lush foliage, and trellised vegetables may be used to conceal less appealing garden spots. Varieties of common garden vegetables have been well-suited to trellis planting.

Beans and Peas

Peas and pole varieties of beans are natural climbers, making them excellent choices for use with a trellis. Tendrils in their plants readily twine around trellis supports, which can be fashioned in lightweight netting, wire or compostable cord made of untreated cotton, hemp or sisal. When selecting pea crops for trellising, look for varieties that make longer vines, like edible-pod or snow peas, as opposed to English or sipping peas. Any pole, or runner, bean plant will grow well on a trellis; scarlet runner beans are just one recommended number because of their attractive red flowers. An added bonus is that trellised pole beans create longer than bush varieties.

Cucumbers

The cucumber is another conventional vine vegetable which grows well on a trellis. Actually, cucumbers grown on a trellis may have cleaner, straighter fruit compared to the plants left to develop over the ground. Because of their small size, cucumbers do not need additional assistance beyond the trellis itself. However, the trellis has to be sufficiently powerful to bear the burden of the vines as well as the fruit. Gardeners should look for trellises with cable or mesh support reinforced with wooden or iron bets.

Squash and Melons

Squash along with melon plants, which usually require a lot of garden area, may also be increased vertically with a trellis, provided that small fruit-producing varieties — with fruit at the 4- to 6-pound range — are utilized. As an instance, little hammer varieties such as acorn or delicata require no extra support aside from the trellis. For varieties which make larger, heavier squash or melons, individual slings or even hammock-like supports are required to maintain fruit from splitting off the vine. These extra supports can be made from cotton or nylon fabric, diapers or pantyhose. Trellised squash and melon plants have fewer difficulties with mildew and other disease because sun exposure and air circulation are enriched.

Tomatoes

Tomato plants are not natural climbers; however, indeterminate varieties will continue to grow and sprawl throughout the growing season, which makes these tomatoes good options for trellising. Vertical support has to be strong, sturdy and well-staked because fruit-laden tomato crops are heavy. Additionally, cable or twine may be required to tie branches and stems to the trellis frame. Like squash and melons, tomato crops benefit from vertical growing, as fruits tend to be less likely to rot on the ground. Trellised tomato crops also have fewer problems with slugs, insect pests and disease.

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