Growing our cucumbers on a trellis has been a game changer for our cucumber production, disease & pest management, and maximizing our space! Will cucumbers climb a trellis? Let me show you!
Why I Grow Cucumbers on a Trellis
We grew cucumbers on the ground for years, and they took up a lot of precious garden space. My grandparent's used the mound method, and it hadn't occurred to me to try any different ways.
The harvest was always good, but I had a tough time actually finding the cucumbers before they grew too big. I was also a little creeped out by the possibility of a snake hiding under the wide leaves. And honestly, that factor alone was enough for me to search for different growing solutions!
It wasn't until about 5 years ago that we decided to try growing homegrown cucumbers on a trellis in our new garden beds (pictured above is our first lean-to cucumber trellis). To our surprise, it made the world of a difference in how the cucumber plant preformed and how easy it was to find the cucumbers that were ripe.
Training a cucumber plant is very simple and easy. It doesn't take much time and will make your life so much easier in the end. We've tried a wide variety of DIY cucumber trellis ideas, and I'm going to show you how to build them and share my opinions on which trellis style gives the best results!
Use the helpful jump-to tool (below) to skip right to the parts you need!
Jump to:
- Why I Grow Cucumbers on a Trellis
- How Do Cucumber Vines Grow?
- Cucumber Trellis Ideas
- How to Build a Cattle Panel Arch Trellis
- Build a Lean-to Style Trellis
- How to Build A-Frame Trellises
- How To Train Cucumber To Grow on a Trellis
- Tips for Growing Cucumbers on a Trellis
- Best Varieties of Cucumbers to Grow
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Questions Do You Have?
- Easy Cucumber Recipes
- More Popular Garden Posts
- Comments
Here I am during the fall of 2023, harvesting the last of the cucumbers from an arch cattle panel trellis before the squash bugs and grasshoppers finished it off. I'll talk more about it a little further down, but vertical growing has drastically extended my growing season by pushing the pest pressure down. And if you like this apron, you can find the shopping link and read more about my Favorite Garden Aprons here.
Benefits of Growing Cucumber Plants on a Trellis
There are so many benefits to trellising cucumber plants. When we grew our cucumbers on the ground, it would never fail that some would develop powdery mildew about halfway through the season and others would simply rot before they were ripe. Not to mention missing several until they were MASSIVE!
5 Reasons to Love Growing Vertically With a Trellis
1. More airflow throughout the plant. In return this is a great way to combat many diseases including powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is one of many fungal diseases that can be found in the garden and appears as white powdery dots on the leaves of plants.
2. An easier harvest. Being all of the cucumber plants will be growing upward, it will result in less strain on your back as you search for the ripe cucumbers being you will not have to bend over to harvest them. It is also easier to find the ripe cucumbers, as they will not be able to hid under the vines and large leaves as easily.
3. A lesser chance of the cucumbers rotting before they are ripe enough to pick. When cucumbers are not trellised, they grow across the ground. There for the ripening vegetable will have an increased chance of rotting as a result of soil moisture and soil borne bacteria.
4. We get higher yields. Trellising is one of the easiest ways to access the vine for pruning and picking, which tells the plant to keep growing!
5. Last but not least, vertically growing cucumbers takes up less space and is much more pleasing to the eye. It almost magical to walk by a wall of cucumber vines that are full of ripening cucumbers.
How Do Cucumber Vines Grow?
- The growth of a cucumber vine starts a cucumber seed. After the last frost, prep your gardens beds or a long row. Sow three cucumber seeds into a spot in the ground and wait for them to germinate. You'll see seedlings popping up in about about 5-7 days.
- As the seedling grows it will develop a main stem that elongates and produces leaves and tendrils. Near the leaves on the main stem, side branches will develop which produces its own leaves and tendrils. This process will continue and continue. Bush types grow the same, only they stay compact and don't vine.
- Cucumbers are naturally a climbing plant! When you vertically grow cucumbers, the tendrils are almost like the hands of the cucumber plant that help the unruly vines to grab and climb. They are small, thin, green, string looking growths from the stem that curl around anything near it. They will curl around their support structure and even grab onto its own stem.
- When the cucumber plant reaches a mature state, it will begin to produce both male and female flowers. The female flowers are identified because they produce a small fruit behind the flower. Once the female flower is fertilized by the male flower, the fruit behind it will begin to grow. The female flower will die and fall off shortly after it is pollinated.
- Once fresh cucumbers are ripe, they are ready to be picked!
How Cucumbers Grow Without Trellising
- When you grow cucumbers without some type of trellis, I refer to it as ground growing. Cucumbers that are grown on the ground tend to become overcrowded. There is not rhyme or reason to the way that cucumbers grow them on the ground. The vines can keep growing in length and become tangled or even suffocate plants that surround them.
- Cucumbers are vigorously looking to wrap their tendrils around anything they can reach, they will wrap around other plant stems. This may stop nutrients from being able to flow throughout the stem. If this happens, the plants will be stunted or even die.
- The plants of ground grown cucumbers generally speaking have a shorter harvesting period. The chances of missing a ripe cucumber is higher. When ripe cucumbers are not picked from the vines, it tells the cucumber vine to stop producing as much and eventually the vine will die due to lack of production. Cucumbers are an annual plant and have a growing season of 50-70 days.
Cucumber Trellis Ideas
Our two favorite types of cucumber trellises are arch, A-Frame and lean-to style trellises. Both trellises are made with t-posts and cattle panels. And to clarify, cattle panels, hog panels and utility panels will all work!
How to Build a Cattle Panel Arch Trellis
- Mark the Spot: Measure and mark the positions where the T-posts will be driven into the ground. Ensure the distance between the posts matches the width of the 16ft cattle panel. You archway will probably be 4 to 6 feet wide and 4 to 6 feet tall, depending on the size of your utility panel.
- Drive the T-posts: Use a post driver or sledgehammer to drive the T-posts into the ground at the marked spots. Drive them deep enough to be stable (about 1-2 feet into the ground).
- Position the Cattle Panel: With the help of another person, bend the cattle panel to create an arch shape.
- Attach the Cattle Panel to T-posts: Position the bent cattle panel between the T-posts to form the arch. Secure the panel to the T-posts using zip ties or wire at multiple points on each post to ensure stability.
- Ensure Stability: Check that the arch is stable and adjust the ties if necessary to make sure the cattle panel is securely attached to the T-posts.
- Planting Cucumbers: Plant cucumber seedlings or seeds at the base of the archway. Train the cucumber vines to climb the panel as they grow.
Build a Lean-to Style Trellis
- Mark the Spot: Measure and mark the positions where the T-posts will be driven into the ground. The distance between the posts should match the width of the cattle panel.
- Drive the T-posts: Use a post driver or sledgehammer to drive the T-posts into the ground at the marked spots. Drive them deep enough to be stable (about 1-2 feet into the ground).
- Angle the T-posts: Drive the T-posts at an angle to create a lean-to structure. The angle should be around 45 degrees, but can be adjusted based on preference and stability.
- Position the Cattle Panel: Place one end of the cattle panel on the ground where the base of the lean-to will be.
- Attach the Cattle Panel to T-posts: Secure the top and middle of the cattle panel to the T-posts using zip ties or wire. Ensure the panel is stable and securely attached to the posts.
- Secure the Bottom of the Panel: Use additional T-posts or stakes to secure the bottom edge of the cattle panel to the ground if needed. This will prevent the panel from moving or shifting.
- Ensure Stability: Check that the lean-to structure is stable and adjust the ties if necessary to make sure the cattle panel is securely attached to the T-posts.
- Final Adjustments: Make sure the lean-to is even and correctly angled.
- Planting Cucumbers: Plant cucumber seedlings or seeds at the base of the lean-to. Train the cucumber vines to climb the panel as they grow.
How to Build A-Frame Trellises
- Mark the Spot: Measure and mark the positions where two T-posts will be driven into the ground at the center of the bed. The distance between the posts should match the width of the cattle panel. Cut the panel so that it is the correct height to run from the edge of the growing space or raised bed, to the top of the t-post. You will need two equal panels.
- Drive the T-posts: Use a post driver or sledgehammer to drive the T-posts into the ground at the marked spots. Drive them deep enough to be stable (about 1-2 feet into the ground).
- Position the Cattle Panel: Place one end of the cattle panel on the ground where the base of the trellis will rest. The top of the trellis will be even with the top of the t-post.
- Attach the Cattle Panel to T-posts: Secure the top and middle of the cattle panel to the T-posts using zip ties or wire. Ensure the panel is stable and securely attached to the posts.
- Ensure Stability: Check that the A-Frame structure is stable and adjust the ties if necessary to make sure the cattle panel is securely attached to the T-posts.
- Planting Cucumbers: Plant cucumber seedlings or seeds at the base of the lean-to. Train the cucumber vines to climb the panel as they grow.
How To Train Cucumber To Grow on a Trellis
Once you plant the cucumber seedling and it begins to grow, you will need to train it to climb the trellis.
- Use a piece of cloth or garden twine to attach the main vine of the cucumber plant to the trellis.
- As the vine continues to grow on a trellis, you will need continue to fasten it to the trellis every 6-12 inches. Be sure that you do not tie the fastener too tight.
- Once the cucumber plant starts to grow tendrils, you will want to grab onto the tendrils and gently wrap them around the trellis as well. This will help prevent your vine cucumbers from wrapping around each other and it gives your cucumber plant even more support for vertical climbing.
Tips for Growing Cucumbers on a Trellis
- Do not wait too long to transplant cucumber seedlings. Cucumbers can be root sensitive, meaning that they do not like to have their roots messed with.
- When transplanting, remove the seedling from the pot and place it directly in the hole that you have filled with water, then cover it with dirt. Do not break the root ball apart.
- If at all possible, direct sow your cucumbers seeds directly from the seed packet.
- No matter how you grow your cucumbers, be sure to plant them in fertile soil that is well draining.
Best Varieties of Cucumbers to Grow
- Marketmore - these cucumbers are a slicing cucumber that has smooth, dark skin and is resistant to many diseases. I love to use these when I'm making Old Fashioned Cucumber Salad (simple cucumbers onion vinegar sugar recipe) or a Mediterranean Cucumber Salad. (pictured above far right)
- Chicago Pickler - these cucumbers are a gardener's favorite pickling cucumber. They are 6-7 inches long and very crispy. Try my canning my easy homemade pickles! (pictured above left)
- Muncher - these cucumbers are also a great option for pickling. They have a thin, glossy skin that isn't stringy. My only issue with this variety is that the skin is prone to trauma from pests, sun scorch and damages easily. (pictured above far right)
Frequently Asked Questions
Vining cucumber varieties, such as 'Marketmore,' 'Muncher,' and 'Chicago Pickler,' are ideal for trellising. Avoid bush cucumber varieties.
Yes! The most popular trellises are A-Frame, lean-to and arches. See above for how to DIY these cheap trellises for your garden!
Plant cucumber seeds or seedlings about 6-12 inches away from the base of the trellis to allow space for root growth and easy access to the trellis.
Start training cucumber plants to climb the trellis when they are about 6-8 inches tall and have a few sets of true leaves.
Pruning is not strictly necessary but is very beneficial. Prune any excess, damaged or diseased leaves and remove side shoots to focus energy on the main vine and fruit production.
Common pests include cucumber beetles, aphids, and spider mites. Diseases include powdery mildew, downy mildew, and bacterial wilt. Regular monitoring and using organic or chemical controls can help manage these issues.
What Questions Do You Have?
Did I cover everything about will cucumbers grow on a trellis? Comment here or message me on instagram @NinnescahHomestead if you need any clarification! I love connecting with fellow gardeners. I've linked plenty of delicious cucumber recipes to get you in the mood for growing your own. Be sure to check them out!
- Meg
Easy Cucumber Recipes
More Popular Garden Posts
If this growing guide was helpful, I recommend reading my Guide to Growing Tomatoes, Garlic Growing Guide, and How to Plant Potatoes. I know you will find all of these posts very helpful, especially if you are a beginner gardener!
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