Like container gardening, this is the kind of tip you need when you’re trying to do your gardening in a small space. Using your vertical space can make a huge difference in how much room you really need to get a big harvest from your plants.
First, going vertical brings the plants up to your level to make many other chores easier on your back. Clipping back dead leaves, treating insect pests, and harvesting are all easier to manage when they are up off the ground and closer to eye level. Having your plants up in the air adds more ventilation and that can help reduce any mold or mildew that plagues plants that are normally clustered together or low to the ground. Same goes for any fruit that would normally sit on the soil while it’s ripening. On that note, having your fruit in the air will also protect against some soil-bound pests like slugs.
Another thing to consider is the difference between a vining variety and a bush variety for many plants. When you choose a bush variety, you get a more compact plant but you typically get a smaller harvest in the end. A vining type usually produces a much larger (and sprawling) plant and more vegetables for you.
The Techniques: First of all, you need to understand that not all vining plants will naturally twist themselves up your trellis supports. Pole beans and peas will happily grow like little corkscrews around whatever they come in contact with, but tomatoes or cucumbers will not. In these cases, you’ll need to gently position the growing branches of the plants against your supports, and tie them in place. Rough string may rub and cut into the tender stems of your plants. You’ll have to be more strategic on where you place your plants because high trellises loaded with vines will create a lot of shade for any other garden beds nearby.
To build a trellis, you can get creative with any kinds of poles, straight branches or even plumbing piping. Your plants may be tied directly to the poles, or you can hang twine to give them an easier gripping surface. How high? That depends on your plant. It’s fairly common for vining plants to reach 7 or 8 feet, so don’t skimp on your supports. For plants that only get to 3 or 4 feet high, a piece of chicken wire fencing can make an excellent support.