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What Vegetables Grow on A Trellis – Climbing Vegetables

Using trellises saves space and helps to avoid pests and diseases. Also using trellis makes harvesting easier. What vegetables grow on a trellis? Several vegetables grow perfectly on a trellis and in this article, I will recommend you the best climbing vegetables.

There are different trellis that can be used with vegetables, some are better for some vegetables and some are not suitable for certain vegetables. Don’t worry, in this article, I will also recommend different types of trellis to use on your vegetables. Continue reading to find out what vegetables grow on a trellis.

What Vegetables Grow on A Trellis

For all those who are wondering what vegetables grow on a trellis? Here is a selection of the best vegetables that grow perfectly in various types of trellises that you can get in any store or easily make yourself.

Pole Beans

Pole beans are excellent climbers and fast growers, these beans are ideal to use trellises and make the most of the space. These beans require a 6 ft (2 m) high support system, and the vines can grow to be 5 to 10 ft (1.5-3 m) long.

One advantage of pole beans over bush beans is that they have a much longer harvest window, and some believe that they have a better flavor. Pole beans mature over a long period, so you won’t be drowned in beans.

pole beans on a trelli vegetables grow on a trelli
Pole beans on a trellis.

Tomatoes

The use of a trellis in the cultivation of tomatoes is essential to prevent the stems from breaking under the weight of the fruits. In addition, using a trellis will prevent the fruits from being in contact with the ground. This will prevent many pests and diseases that affect tomato plants.

Tomatoes growing on a trellis are called indeterminate tomatoes, also known as vining tomatoes. Growing tomatoes on a trellis also allow for more sunlight to reach the entire plant, improving productivity. Observe the young tomato plants to guide them correctly in the trellis. Learn more about how to grow hydroponic tomatoes.

tomatoes on a trellises
Tomato plant on a trelli.

Peas

Peas are natural climbers and grow perfectly on a trellis. By growing peas vertically, you will save a lot of space in your garden. Peas are cold-tolerant, and you can grow them in early spring or during the fall and take advantage of them. Different varieties of trellis can be used with peas. For example, arched or teepee-shaped trellis work very well with peas.

peas vine climbing vegetables grow on a trelli
Peas.

Melons

Melons are not a vegetable, but they deserve to be on this list. You can use trellis to grow melons, but they must be sturdy trellis made of a strong metal because of the weight of the melons.  You will need to create slings to support the fruits as they begin to produce melons. To support the weight of the fruit, pantyhose can be cut and fashioned into slings or hammocks.

Melons grown in soil are more susceptible to pests and diseases. Using a trellis for growing melons will save you problems with pests and diseases in the garden. You will also save valuable space in your garden by using this method of cultivation.

melons hammocks vine
Melon in a hammock.

Loofah

Loofah gourds can be eaten when young, or you can let them dry and then use them as a sponge. They are very good as a natural sponge for exfoliating the skin. Give them lots of space to develop and a trellis for support. Just make sure the trellis can take the weight of the adult loofah gourds, which may be pretty hefty!

loofah gourd vine vegetables grow on a trelli
What Vegetables Grow on A Trellis? Loofah gourd grows very well on trellises.

Malabar Spinach

For those who live in mild climates, I recommend growing Malabar spinach. Malabar spinach thrives in warm climates and does not need any guidance to grow on a trellis. An advantage of this spinach is that you cut it, and it grows back, so you can always harvest fresh spinach for your meals.

malabar spinach vine trellis
Malabar spinach.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers grow perfectly on a trellis, but you must select seeds of vine cucumber variety. By using the correct variety of cucumbers, you will ensure that they will easily climb your trellis. Growing cucumbers on a trellis will prevent certain pests and diseases such as powdery mildew. The trellis will prevent the vegetables from touching the soil and thus will be less likely to have pests and diseases.

cucumbers on a trellis
What Vegetables Grow on A Trellis? Cucumbers are one of my favorite vegetables to grow on trellises.
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Zucchini

Zucchini takes up a lot of space in the garden, so it is essential to grow zucchini on a trellis. Also, the trellis permits adequate airflow between the vines and other plants, keeping them healthy and reducing disease spread such as blight and powdery mildew.

As the zucchini plant grows, it should be secured to the trellis. You can secure the vines by weaving the branches in and out or by using nylon mesh or knots. This will ensure that the zucchini will develop properly in the trellis and take advantage of the space in your garden. Learn more about planting zucchini on a trellis.

zucchini vegetables grow on a trelli
Zucchini on a trelli.

Sweet Potatoes

A sweet potato vine may grow to be up to 20 ft (6 m) long, which is a large sprawl that can quickly consume your garden space if left on the ground. That is why I recommend using a trellis in the cultivation of sweet potatoes to make the best use of garden space. As the sweet potato plant grows, help it to weave in the trellis for proper growth and development of the plant. Learn more about how to plant sweet potatoes.

sweet potatoe vine trellises
Sweet potatoes.

Why Trellis Your Vegetables?

There are many benefits of growing vegetables on a trellis. Here are the reasons why it is beneficial to grow vegetables on a trellis:

Reduced risk of pests and diseases: Improving air circulation around plants and keeping foliage off the ground reduces many pests and diseases that affect plants. It also prevents the vegetables from being in direct contact with the soil.

Grow more food in less space: Growing on a trellis will allow you to make better use of the space in your garden and your vegetables will produce more because you have more space. According to Cornell University, pole beans are grown on a trellis yield 2 to 3 times more than bush varieties.

Easy harvesting: It is easier to grow vegetables on a trellis because you don’t have to bend down so low to pick the vegetables. It is also much easier to see where the vegetables are on the plant.

As you will see, there are several advantages to growing vegetables on a trellis. Now that you know what vegetables grow on a trellis start growing them right now.

why trellis your vegetables
Why Trellis Your Vegetables? One of the advantages of trellising vegetables is to prevent pests and diseases.

Types Of Trellises

There exists a wide variety of trellises that are suitable for vertical vegetable growing. These trellises can be purchased from garden centers or online, or you can opt to create your own using materials such as bamboo posts, garden netting, stakes, garden twine, and other related supplies.

A-frame trellises: You can purchase or construct A-frame trellises which are designed with two flat sides that are connected at the top to create an A-shaped structure. These trellises are typically durable, depending on the materials used, and are suitable for growing beans, peas, gourds, melons, squash, and cucumbers.

Teepee: Teepee trellises are a traditional and straightforward trellis that is well-suited for cultivating crops such as pole beans, peas, and even cucumbers.

Arches, arbors, and tunnels: Arches trellis is a type of trellis that is designed to create a decorative and functional archway for climbing plants. It is usually made of metal or wood and has an arched shape that allows plants to grow up and over the top, creating a natural canopy. A wide variety of vine vegetables can grow in this type of trellis as they are very hardy.

Posts and netting or twine: A simple type of trellis that you can construct involves using robust posts and either netting or twine. You can place the posts at each end of the bed and string pea and bean netting or mesh netting between them. In case your beds are longer, you may need an additional post or two in the middle for extra reinforcement. This trellis type is suitable for supporting peas and pole beans, while for heavier crops, wire panels can be used instead of pea and bean netting between the posts.

types of trellises
A-frame trellises.
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Final Conclusions

As you will see, it is possible to grow a wide variety of vegetables on trellises. By using trellises in your garden you will save and optimize space in your garden. You will also avoid a great variety of pests and diseases in your plants. I hope this article about What vegetables grow on a trellis? Will be of great use and have an excellent harvest.

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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