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Growing vegetables vertically, rather than along the ground, is an ingenious way to unlock more space and boost harvests in a small garden.
After nearly 10 years on my allotment, I’ve discovered that vertical gardening makes picking harvests super easy, both in time and – mercifully – effort. It also promotes healthier plants by improving airflow and increasing sunlight exposure, while handily raising crops out of a slug’s eyeline. Plus, vertical structures add style and interest to your garden or plot. What’s not to love?
A little planning goes a long way, so I’ve made it easy for you. Before we start, swot up on how to grow vegetables in a small garden, and you might want to learn how to build raised garden beds, too.
Now, let’s get started on this genius small garden idea. Read on to discover seven vegetables you can grow vertically this year, including a few exciting, easy-grow varieties you might not have heard of.
Growing cucumbers vertically is an excellent way to save space and get higher yields in your vegetable garden. With vining varieties growing over 6 feet long, cucumbers can take up a large area sprawling on the ground. Training them to climb up a trellis, pergola, or other vertical support allows them to productively use vertical space rather than horizontal.
Vertical cucumbers also tend to be straighter, more uniform, cleaner, and less prone to rotting, pests, and diseases. The improved airflow from vertical growing keeps the foliage drier and prevents fungal or bacterial issues. Getting the cucumbers off the ground also protects them from slugs and rabbit damage.
Below you’ll find a complete guide on how to grow cucumbers vertically covering everything from choosing suitable varieties to setting up supports and training the vines upwards. Follow these tips and you’ll be harvesting straight burpless cucumbers all summer long!
Choosing Cucumber Varieties for Vertical Growing
Pretty much any vining cucumber variety can be trained to grow vertically. However, some types will work better than others.
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Slice cucumbers: The long, slender slicing types are ideal, as they continue growing in length versus getting fatter. Good options include Marketmore, Straight Eight, Sweet Success, Diva, and Bush Crop.
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Pickling cucumbers Smaller pickling varieties also work well for vertical growing, including National Pickling, Calypso, and Boston Pickling
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Mini cucumbers: If space is very limited, mini cucumber varieties like Little Leaf, Parisian, and Pickle Bush produce smaller fruits on compact vines.
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Avoid bush cucumbers: The one type to avoid is bush or dwarf cucumbers. These have a compact, non-vining habit that doesn’t climb.
Setting Up Support Structures
You’ll need some type of vertical support structure for the cucumbers to climb up. Here are some options:
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A-frame trellis: A classic choice – just drive stakes into the ground and attach mesh or strings across the frame. Tie vines to the trellis as they grow.
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Fence trellis: Lean a trellis against a fence or attach it directly. Plant cucumbers at the base.
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Pergolas or arbors: Great for growing over, allowing easy access to fruits hanging down.
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Teepees: Make mini teepees from 5-6′ bamboo stakes to grow cukes vertically in containers.
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Strings & stakes: Drive tall 6′ stakes around containers or in-ground, with strings tied between.
No matter the support type, make sure it’s at least 5-7 feet tall and sturdy enough to hold mature vines with fruits.
Getting the Cucumbers Growing Vertically
Once your trellis or other structure is set up, it’s time to get planting! Follow these tips for success:
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Sow cucumber seeds directly at the base of the support you’re using – minimize transplanting.
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Space plants 12″ apart. Too close and they’ll compete for sunlight and nutrients.
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Gently tie young seedlings to the support structure. Don’t bend stems.
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As vines elongate, keep tying them to the support every 6-12 inches.
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Train the fastest growing stems upwards and pinch off side shoots.
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Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growth.
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Prune overcrowded growth to improve air circulation and light penetration.
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Harvest cucumbers once they reach desired size – don’t let them turn yellow.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Growing vertically comes with its own set of potential issues. Here are some remedies:
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Fruits falling off: Use fabric slings to support heavy cucumbers.
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Powdery mildew: Improve airflow through pruning and trellising.
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Pollination issues: Tap flowers daily to pollenate or introduce bees.
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Curled leaves: Usually a sign of disease – improve drainage and air flow.
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Holes in leaves or fruits: Caused by cucumber beetles – use row cover early on.
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Poor fruit set: Can be from overfeeding nitrogen or poor pollination.
Maximizing Vertical Space for Increased Yields
One of the biggest advantages of vertical cucumber growing is increased productivity from the upward space. Here are some tips to optimize yields:
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Use tall trellises of at least 6 feet. The higher the better for vine growth.
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Position trellises on the north side of garden beds to avoid shading other plants.
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Grow cucumbers with faster-growing companion plants like pole beans or tomatoes to maximize vertical real estate.
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Use the overhead space under pergolas, arbors, or tree branches.
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Prune judiciously to focus growth upwards vs. outward.
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Support fruits with slings to prevent overburdening vines.
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Stagger plantings every 2 weeks for continuous harvests on a single trellis.
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Intercrop with quick-maturing radishes, lettuces, or spinach underneath.
Success Growing Vertical Cucumbers
Growing cucumbers vertically requires a little more initial effort than letting them sprawl on the ground. But once your support structures are set up and vines are climbing skyward, you’ll reap the tasty rewards all season long!
Maximizing vertical space leads to higher yields in a smaller footprint. And training cucumbers upward promotes better health by improving air circulation and light exposure. The result is a bountiful harvest of straight, crisp fruits that are easier to care for and pick.
Runner Beans (Image credit: Sarah Raven)
A classic choice for vertical gardening, runner beans are particularly popular for their ability to thrive in tight spaces. They’re also quick to grow and are great to sow with children, as the seeds are nice and big for little hands.
I have two key pieces of advice on runner beans: firstly, only grow them if you eat them, as you’ll have beans coming out of your ears for weeks. Secondly, make sure your structure is really solid, as the weight of the harvest is incredible.
Renowned gardening expert Sarah Raven also says, Runner beans thrive in full sun with fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Support them with a sturdy wigwam of canes, planting one bean per pole.
Water well, especially in dry spells, and protect young plants from slugs by starting them indoors. Be patient and wait until April at the earliest to plant your seeds as they cannot be planted outside until the frosts are over. You do not want to let them stay too long in their pots, as they will start to tangle with their neighbours.
Where to buy runner bean seeds:
- Sarah Raven: Get started with Runner bean White Emergo, an extremely vigorous grower, tried and tested by Sarah.
- Suttons: Stock up on Runner bean firestorm seeds.
Since the publication of her first book, The Cutting Garden, Sarah led the way in introducing a new kind of productive gardening. Sarah’s expertise extends to all areas, from cut flowers and vegetables to designing gardens packed with colour, and scent. Her gardening podcast has achieved 2.6 million downloads; she’s published 12 books and runs SarahRaven.com which services over 600,000 customers.
Cucumbers (Image credit: Future/Natalie Osborn)
Cucumbers are easy climbers for vertical growing – and they are unstoppable once they get going. These two facts make them an excellent opportunity to try an interesting variety. Lucy Hutchings at She Grows Veg recommends her beautiful Dragon’s Egg cucumber.
Train them up a trellis for better airflow and easier harvesting. Keep soil consistently moist and feed regularly for the best yields of these unique, creamy-white fruits, she advises.
I’ve also grown cucumbers around a large wooden cage that paving slabs were delivered in – and it worked a treat. The key is to feed them regularly and start them off by enriching the soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
Where to buy cucumber seeds:
- Thompson & Morgan: Choose from a huge selection of cucumber seeds.
- Suttons: Sow the ever-popular Cucumber F1 Bella seeds this month.
How To Grow Cucumber Vertically – Save Space & Increase Yields in 3 Simple Steps Growing Vertically
FAQ
Is it better to grow cucumbers on a trellis or on the ground?
-A trellis provides a solid structure and space for cucumber plants to grow on. Cucumbers produce better-quality fruit with less disease or damage when supported on a sturdy trellis.
Should I water cucumbers every day?
Consistency is key when watering cucumbers. They thrive with a regular watering schedule, ideally receiving 1–2 inches of water per week.
Can you grow cucumbers vertically?
If you want to grow your cucumbers vertically, go ahead and get your trellises ready before the vines start to grow. Use 4 or 5 ft (1.2 or 1.5 m) welded wire fencing or hog wire to create a 12 to 18 in (30 to 46 cm) diameter cage. This size cage can support 2 or 3 vines.
Can you grow cucumbers on a trellis?
This member of the “vine crops” grows on long trailing vines that can take up quite a bit of space in the home vegetable garden, so plan accordingly if you are thinking of adding them to your home garden. Cucumbers can be successfully grown on trellis systems to save space and make harvest easier.
Can cucumbers grow with tomatoes?
Cucumbers can grow with tomatoes, as long as the gardener is planting tomato transplants and not growing from seed in the garden. Sweet Corn: Attracts corn earworm, the same pest as tomato fruitworm ( Helicoverpa zea ). Avoid growing plants in proximity susceptible to the same pests. Rosemary: Depletes soil nutrients needed to grow tomatoes.