Growing up, I always thought cucumbers were something you had to buy at the grocery store. My first attempts at growing them were pretty disappointing – just a few small cucumbers that didn’t look anything like the ones from the store. It wasn’t until my neighbor shared some simple tips that everything changed.
Now I haven’t bought a cucumber in three years, and my garden produces more than enough for fresh salads, pickles, and sharing with friends. The best part? It’s not complicated at all. With just a few basic tricks, anyone can grow cucumbers that are better than what you’ll find at any supermarket.
1. Choose a Cucumber Variety
When selecting the type of cucumber for your garden, consider the growth habit: bush or vining. For a trellis setup, opt for vining cucumbers, which naturally climb and secure themselves. Notably, these climbers tend to produce a more abundant harvest compared to their bush counterparts.
2. Design Your Trellis
As you contemplate the framework for your trellis, consider the desired shape within the constraints of your garden’s dimensions and your vision for its appearance. The functionality of the trellis is also vital. Tighter areas may benefit from a straightforward upright trellis, although spotting and gathering cucumbers might present more of a challenge. Should you have more room, opt for an arch or A-frame trellis to streamline the harvesting process and give your plants ample climbing space. Selecting the optimal structure will ensure both aesthetic harmony within your garden and practical ease for your cultivation endeavors.
3. Trellis Durability
When building your trellis, choose robust materials to prevent warping or breakage due to the cucumbers’ heft. A sturdy wooden frame is highly recommended. For a DIY approach, opt for durable cattle panel fencing or PVC pipes. These solutions will ensure a resilient support system for your thriving plants.
4. Determine Trellis Height
When selecting or constructing your trellis, whether it be an A-shape or arch contour, height is crucial. Your trellis should be sufficiently elevated to avoid the discomfort of crouching while picking mature cucumbers, yet not so lofty that you require a ladder to access the produce. Aim for a middle ground to ensure ease of harvesting.
5. Plant Your Cucumber
In vertical gardens, cucumbers may be planted with smaller gaps than conventional ground plots when supported by a trellis. The trellis minimizes the competition for light and surface space, allowing vines to thrive nearer than usual. However, it’s crucial to consider that the competition for soil nutrients and moisture remains. Strategically, you can position plants on either side of the trellis to maximize your garden’s yield.
6. Guide Your Plants’ Growth
As your plants extend upwards, you’ll need to guide them with care onto the structure designated for support. Once the vine lengths are adequate, wrap them carefully around the trellis. Should it be required, secure the vines either with soft ties or plastic clips designed for gardening, taking care to avoid stem damage or restricted growth.
unfortunetly I don’t have an area to plant, so I need to start there.
would big pot be good enough to plant cucumbers, with a build up trolley next to the pot be good enough?