Growing cucumbers is a popular summer pastime for many with a home vegetable garden. The long, green cucumber plant grows as a vine that spreads out horizontally along the ground, or as a bush. The vine variety of the cucumber plant is a popular choice but presents problems in the smaller home vegetable garden. The biggest issue with growing cucumbers is that there is not enough space for the vine to grow horizontally along the ground.
Growing Cucumbers Vertically in a Home Vegetable Garden
Because of the lack of space, many gardeners attach cucumber plants to stakes which trains them to grow vertically rather than horizontally. Instead of using traditional plant stakes, which can sometimes be unattractive, try growing cucumbers vertically along a trellis or any other vertical gardening surface.
Types of Stakes for Vertical Gardening
Growing cucumbers vertically can really be done with any type of vertical surface that has something for the cucumber tendrils to cling to. One option for growing cucumbers is a basic tomato cage that is placed over the plant. Another option for growing cucumbers in a home vegetable garden is to place a flat wire-like surface behind the plant, such as chicken wire, or a fence.
A decorative trellis can also be used both in the garden and for growing cucumbers in pots. When choosing a trellis, select one constructed of non-treated wood with the smallest slats possible. Small slats are easier for the tiny cucumber tendrils to cling to.
Pole stakes are another option for vertical gardening. These stakes are straight poles containing notches that are between four and six feet high. The poles are inserted directly behind each cucumber plant and then string is tied between each pole at the location of the notches. This string provides a place for the growing cucumbers to latch onto.
Planting CucumbersUsing Vertical Gardening Techniques
Create a mound of soil on top of the ground that is approximately 6 inches wide and as long as needed. Dig 3- to 4-inch deep holes in the mound with a spade and space each hole at a distance of at least 12 inches apart.
Place a cucumber seed, or small plant, into each of the holes and cover the roots with soil. Water the plants with 1 inch of water each week until the cucumber seeds germinate or until the plants reach 6 inches tall.
Staking the Growing Cucumbers in the Home Vegetable Garden
Insert the trellis into the back of the mound and press the lower portion into the ground until it is 2 to 3 inches deep. The trellis should feel secure and not wobble when it is deep enough.
Tie the cucumber plants to the trellis loosely using gardening tape. Once the cucumber tendrils begin grasping onto the trellis, cut the gardening tape off with scissors and the cucumbers will support themselves. Prepare to harvest cucumbers within 38 to 68 days of planting, depending on the variety.
Growing cucumbers in vertical gardening allows you to grow more cucumber plants in a smaller space and create a more compact vegetable garden design plan.
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Kimberly Johnson - Christina Jones is an experienced freelance writer who contributes articles to many different websites and publications.
