Do Cucumbers Need a Trellis? Tips for Growing Vertically
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When grown naturally and left to their own devices, cucumbers will grow horizontally, and the plants sprawl across the ground. However, this isn’t considered the optimal way to grow this refreshing, healthy vegetable.
Growing cucumbers vertically, typically trained using a trellis or even a fence, avoids rot, allows more air to circulate around the plant, and makes harvesting easier. It is also beneficial for small gardens and small spaces because growing vertically allows you to cultivate more cucumbers in a small area.
While it isn’t necessary to use a trellis to grow cucumbers, it is considered beneficial in a lot of circumstances.
Growing Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a relatively easy vegetable to grow. They yield crisp, fresh cucumbers that are commonly used in salads but can also be used for pickling and as an accompaniment to sandwich fillings.
To get the best results from your cucumber plants, they need rich, fertile soil and benefit from being given plenty of room to grow.
The Benefits of Growing Cucumbers Vertically
While some strains naturally grow horizontally, there are some strains that are considered better for growing vertically—a practice that offers the following benefits:
- Avoid Rot: When cucumbers are allowed to sit in moist soil for too long, it can lead to rot. The cucumber is then inedible. When grown vertically, the cucumbers grow away from the soil, so they don’t become moist and rot is prevented.
- Air Circulation: Growing cucumbers vertically allows more air to circulate around the plant and the cucumbers themselves. This not only helps prevent rot but can also prevent fungal diseases while allowing the plants and the fruit to grow big and healthy.
- Easier Harvesting: When grown on the vine, you only need to cut the cucumber away from the vine using a sharp knife or clippers. It takes a few seconds.
- Takes Up Less Ground Space: A lot of cucumber strains spread horizontally when allowed to grow naturally. They can take up a lot of space and only yield a few ripe cucumbers. Grown vertically, you will get a lot more of the vegetable even when planted in a relatively small pot.
Container and Trellis
You can grow cucumbers vertically in the ground, but if you’re managing space and ensuring that the plants don’t take over, growing them in a container allows total control. You will need a deep container, typically allowing 12 inches of soil depth. The container should also be 12 inches wide. Some vertical variants prefer 18-inch pots.
The trellis needs to be 6 feet high for most varieties of cucumber, and if you specifically choose a climbing variety, it will benefit from an A-frame style trellis so that it can spread.
Position
Cucumbers need exposure to the Sun and prefer a warm spot. Try to avoid placing the pot in a windy area but do allow space around the plant so that air can still circulate.
Soil
Cucumbers prefer neutral soil that is rich and loose. If you are using a container to grow cucumbers, use a compost-enriched potting soil for the healthiest growth.
Watering
Cucumbers are naturally high in moisture. To ensure yours grow healthily, you will need to water regularly and heavily. Avoid overhead watering, and make sure the foliage doesn’t get wet because this can lead to fungal disease and rot.
Add Mulch
If you have planted in a vegetable garden or directly in a garden bed rather than a pot, add mulch around the base of the plant to allow for better drainage and to regulate soil temperatures.
Harvesting
Typically, cucumbers will be ready to harvest between 2–3 months. They should be firm to touch and smooth. They should also be crunchy when bitten. Use a sharp knife or a pair of clippers to cut the cucumber from the vine.
Conclusion
Cucumbers are refreshing and crunchy vegetables that are popular in salads and sandwiches and can also be pickled. They are relatively easy to grow but can take up a lot of room in a vegetable patch if grown horizontally. Fortunately, most varieties can be trained to grow vertically, and there are some climbing varieties that are especially ideal. Cucumbers can be grown on a trellis, and this growing method offers a number of benefits to ground growing, as described above.
Featured Image Credit: planet_fox, Pixabay
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