More than five reasons why you should grow cucumbers on a trellis, no matter how big your garden is, for the best results. Follow this simple tutorial with three different trellis options to grow them vertically for your best crop yet!
Do you grow cucumbers on a trellis or let them sprawl on the ground?
I've always grown them on a trellis because I didn't want them taking up too much room, but over the years I've discovered that there are a lot of other benefits to growing cucumbers vertically even if you do have lots of room in your garden and are not trying to "Square Foot Garden" or save space.
I think you'll agree with me, so after I share why to grow cucumbers up instead of out, I'm also explaining exactly how to do it, since you'll need to do a few things differently.
It's worth learning a few new techniques - I promise.
Five Reasons to Grow Cucumbers on A Trellis
- The plants are easier to water at the main stem, which keeps the plant leaves drier (this is recommended to help keep fungal diseases at bay).
- The fruit is easier to harvest. They are hanging nearer to eye level and are easier to spot, plus the prickly stems and leaves are neatly confined so the risk of getting all scratched up is minimized (this is the biggest benefit in my book!).
- The fruit is cleaner when it doesn't touch the dirt.
- The fruit is a uniform color (no light spots where they rested on the ground).
- The fruit is straighter, with less misshapen ones.
All this is in addition to the smaller footprint needed to grow a large number of cucumbers!
Are you convinced? I thought so.
While cucumbers are easy to grow vertically, there are just three things you'll need to do differently to grow cucumbers up instead of out.
How to Grow Cucumbers Vertically
1. Prepare a Trellis and Plant
I've found that an A-Frame trellis made out of 1" x 2" boards (like the one pictured above that we made that folded down for easy storage) or bamboo poles work okay.
The A-frame shape is easy and inexpensive to make, and simple to install since it doesn't need any other stakes.
However, we found that the wood didn't last very long and have since tried other trellis methods that last.
How To Make A Simple Trellis for Cucumbers
Wood: The wood trellis pictured in this tutorial lasted about 3 seasons before the legs rotted out.
I don't have directions for making one, but here's a wood trellis DIY I found similar to ours, but using thicker wood so it may last longer than ours: A-Frame Trellis Tutorial.
Rebar: We found 10-ft U-shaped rebar that we fashioned an a-frame trellis from with twine to avoid rotted legs that occurred with the wood:
- Pros: Doesn't rot so lasts forever; tall; easy to set up (though I had to stand on a bucket to get the twine over the top, lol).
- Cons: Not easy to find this rebar shape (a neighbor gave it to us); bottom straight rebar simply tied on with twine, so rots eventually; large size not as adaptable to raised beds.
Fencing: The rebar trellis wasn't a good use of space in our smaller farmhouse raised bed garden, so I'm now growing them up a hog/cattle panel zip-tied to metal fence stakes (here's how I install and use these for growing tomatoes, and beans, too):
- Pros: Easy to find and inexpensive to buy panels and t-posts; no need to attach (and then remove) twine; fits in a lot of spaces.
- Con: The only con I've found so far is that it's not as easy to train the cukes up the wire panels as it is the twine. One reader told me it just didn't work, but I've not had any issues if I don't let them grow too much without training (I'm in the garden daily or every other day, so I just take a few minutes to train the stems up).
How close can I plant cucumbers on a trellis?
You will be able to space the cucumber seeds closer together because you are training the vines up.
Plant about 2 inches apart initially and then thin to 5-6 inches apart. Whenever I've tried to plant at the 5 inch mark, I don't have enough plants that germinate, so I always hedge my bets and seed extra.
If you start your cucumbers indoors or buy starts, you will want to plant them at the 5-6 inch spacing.
2. Train the plants up the string (or fencing, or whatever you use) during the growing season.
This is not difficult- it takes about five minutes as you're working or harvesting in the garden. Just wind the plants around the string one or two times and they will take it from there.
Oh, and don't you love the watch? It's my super stylish dollar-store watch that helps keep me on task in the garden. I'm known for losing track of time out there. I'll go out to do a few things at 11:00 am and before I know it, it's 2:00 pm, and I'm thinking: "No wonder my stomach was growling…" Which, come to think of it, is much better than Brian coming out to ask me, "Didn't you have a dentist appointment?" Ugh. Definitely. Need. The. Watch.
3. Water from the bottom.
While trellising and training are really the only things you have to do, I think using a soaker hose is a really smart idea (but I think that for a an entire easy care garden, too).
It waters right where you need it, doesn't get water on the leaves (wet leaves contribute to diseases like mildew), and waters deeply.
I turn the hose on for about 2-1/2 hours once a week (every 5 days if it's really hot) and the plants are growing great. If you live in a hotter climate, you can add some type of mulch to the soil to help keep the moisture in.
4. Easily harvest the fruit.
The very first cucumbers grown on a trellis will appear at the bottom (like the photo in #3 above), and may be a bit dirty, but once the plants have grown up the trellis a bit more, you will just be able pick just by reaching in, push the leaves aside and grab a perfect, mostly straight fully colored cucumber!
And as they grow taller (the photo above is two weeks later than the picture at the beginning of the post) you might not even have to stoop to pick the fruit!
Growing cucumbers like this and being able to plant seeds closer together means you will have a much larger harvest in a smaller space than letting them sprawl on the ground.
But that probably goes without saying, because that's why we like to grow vegetables vertically, as well as the plants taking up less space.
And even though it's not a part of the "official" 5 reasons to grow cucumbers on a trellis, it's a pretty good one still, right?
Can you tell I really like growing cucumbers this way?
Grow Cucumbers On A Trellis FAQs
Yes, cucumbers need to be grown in full sun, which is at least 6-8 hours of sun daily.
In addition to making cucumber plants easier to water and harvest, and producing fruit that is cleaner, uniform in color and straighter, growing cucumbers on a trellis also reduces fungal diseases like powdery mildew because of the improved airflow. (Bonus reason #6!)
I've made the case for growing up a trellis as better than the ground, and I'd also point out that cucumbers vines have tendrils that will help grab twine or fencing which illustrates that they are probably meant to grow up instead of just sprawl.
As mentioned, you will need to train your cucumber plants up by twining the vines through the string or fencing you're using, but their tendrils will also help by grabbing the support as they grow up.
A cucumber trellis should be about 5 feet tall and no more than 6 feet tall, as that will make it harder to harvest at the top. If the vines of the variety you planted grow taller, simply let them grow up and over the top and back down the side.
Do you grow cucumbers on a trellis? Why or why not?
This article has been updated - it was originally published in August of 2011.
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John Wagner says
I've been growing my cucumbers on a Trellis for many years for only the simple fact of having the perfectly straight cucumber that are easier to go in my jars when making pickles. But the benefit of your other reasons are very beneficial also thanks for the great tips.
Jami says
Yes!
Belinda says
Great article! Is there any particular size or material you recommend with the twine? And do I just attach the twine to the base on the cucumber? I’m going to give growing up a go.
Jami says
Any twine will do, Belinda - thicker will last a bit longer.
You attach the twine to the bottom rung of the trellis and then twine it up and down the length before tying off at the end. The twine will be in place when you plant the seeds. 🙂
Susan Hendryx says
Can you show a picture of your new trellis for cucumbers? Having a hard time visualizing u shaped rebar.
Jami says
Gosh, I almost couldn't find one! But I did since I used it last year in the new raised bed garden we have. It ended up not being a good use of space, though, so this year I'm growing them up a hog/cattle panel just like my beans.
I will add both of these other trellis ideas to the article!
Lisa says
This is my third year of growing cucumbers. The first two years, I grew them in a raised bed on the ground with no trellis. This year, I bought two A-frame trellises. However, my cucumbers are already at the top and have no where else to go except up with no support. The trellis is 48"x 42", which means one side of the trellis is only 24". I realize, after the fact, that I should've made or bought taller trellises for my raised bed (VegTrug). Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? Should I train them to go down the other side?
Jami says
Yes - when the vines got too long for the trellis (and it depends on the cucumber variety - some grow longer and some are more dwarf), I just let them grow back down. You could train them the other side if you wanted, but if it makes them harder to harvest, I'd let them grown back down. The cucumbers will be more at the top as they grow, so they'll continue.
Lisa says
Thanks so much for the advice! I've got some growing across the top, some growing down the other side and some back down the original side. I also have some growing up long tomato stakes within the trellis. It honestly makes a huge difference having them grow up a trellis. We have quite an abundant supply of cucumbers growing, and much more than the previous years when they were growing on the ground.
Jami says
Oh, this is good to hear - thanks for leaving your experience for others to read, too! And aren't they much easier to harvest with no yellow spots from laying on the ground? That's probably my favorite part. 🙂
Mary Fedyszyn says
I really like the design of your trellis and feel that cucumbers prefer to grow at the angle of your trellis, instead of straight up, which is what I've been doing with my trellis. Cukes are not the same as pole beans. Next year I'm switching to your design. Will try the rebar to prolong the life of the trellis. Thank you.
Jami says
Oh, I hadn't thought of this, Mary - for the first time in our newer garden I'm growing them up a cattle panel like I do pole beans. I just don't have room for an a-frame trellis anymore. I will have to see if it makes a difference like it did for you.
Sandi L. says
I started to last year but I wasn't committed with it and by mid-summer the trellis wasn't doing a whole lot of good.
Already have this year's trellis up in a different part of the garden so here's hoping.
Jami says
Hoping with you, Sandi - I love growing them this way!
Jennifer says
I am pretty new to growing things vertically so this may seem like a no-brainer question. I have 6in high cucumbers to plant but how far in front of the trellis poles should i plant them. I wanted to put the trellis in first so i did not damage any roots. Great post by the way!
Jami says
I usually started with seeds and planted them right under the first rung of the trellis, so I'd say as close as you can! Maybe an inch? You want them to not really bend as you help them climb in the first month. Does that make sense?
Hassza Éva says
Szeretek tanulni újdonságokat!!
(Google Translate: I love learning new things!!)
Dawn B says
We decided to use old chain link fence and framed it out with bamboo and leaned it against a wooden fence, almost like a ramp. Hoping for a better result than growing on the ground last year.
Jami says
That sounds like a great solution - and way to use something up!
Gabrielle Alteri says
great idea! i never thought you could grow cucumbers on a trellis. im going to give it a try. thankyou, gabrielle,an avid gardener in california
Jami says
Good! I think you'll really like it. 🙂
marsha keegan says
Thank you so much for writing this, How close can I plant the cucumbers and zucchini using this method
Jami says
I plant cucumbers about 2-3 inches apart. I haven't tried this with zucchini.
Brian S says
Zucchini is not a vining plant and there would be no benefit from planting it undetr a trellis.
Gary says
I am thinking of making my frame trellis out of PVC tubing? Your thoughts?
Jami says
Yes, that should work perfectly and not rot like ours did. 🙂 Wood is prettier, but only lasted about 4 years for us.
Darcy says
this might seem like a ridiculous question, but I am new to gardening this year and am using an a frame trellis with a distance of 2 feet between the front and back....do i plant the seeds in the front, back, or under the trellis?
Jami says
All questions allowed here, Darcy. 🙂
I'd always plant these in front of the trellis (though I can't really picture yours - are you planting both sides or is one side the legs?). Then you can reach them easily to help them grow up it - and also for easier harvesting.
Sometimes I've grown lettuce that likes shade in the summer under/inside the trellis, but it's not easy to harvest, so just sometimes.
Darcy says
Thank you!
darby says
Hello Jami,
Thank you for some sound direction. Last year I was a first time gardener. I used store-bought, metal, A-frame trellis', and planted my cucumbers one foot closer than the recommended two feet listed on the seed packets and gardening books (I have limited space, and thought two feet just seemed too big of a distance). I had a great harvest, yet one foot distance still seemed too far apart. It didn't even occur to me that cucumbers could/should grow on the ground, and that the suggested distance was based on a ground-growing method. Finally, you have made sense of my confusion, and I am glad Google led me to your article. Thank you!!
Jami says
I'm glad you found this, too, Darby! Here's to an even better harvest this year. 🙂
Rachel says
Hi Jami!
I was wondering where you found your 10-ft U-shaped rebar for the trellis? A local welding store maybe? Thanks!
Jami says
We actually were given them from a neighbor, and I have no idea where you'd find them! But your idea sounds like a good one - let me know if that's the case. I'd love to tell others, since it's a great option for a non-rotting trellis system.
Nancy says
Do you think a trellis will work for cantaloupes?
Jami says
I have read that you can trellis melons, Nancy. You do have to have a really strong and sturdy structure, though. And I've see some people even make little slings out of nylons or some lightweight fabric to hold the melons as they grow.
Nancy H. Halgren says
thanks, yes Jami, I can see where the need for slings would be necessary. Guess I'll just let them on the ground, so much easier, but I would like to try with the cucumbers next summer.
Jenifer says
I’m new to gardening, well it’s my second attempt. I read about growing cucumbers & zucchini’s on trellises, & decided to give it a try. I planted my cucumber starts pretty close-I’d say 4-5” apart, & am using an old metal trundle bed frame as a trellis. A local organic gardener in my neighborhood gave it to me saying he knew it would work. Any thoughts? I also bought a roll of metal fencing stuff from the local garden center that I bent into a circle & planted my zucchini starts inside of. I’m just hoping, & praying this works! Thanks for the fantastic article!
Jami says
That sounds great Jenifer - both of those should work. Of course much of gardening is trial and error. 🙂
Tara says
Hi Jami,
Great post! My cucumbers plants always end up taking over my garden and winding around and into my row of beans. I really want to try building the A-frame trellis that you're husband built for you. Do you recall how tall it was? And were the strings just tied around the piece of wood at the top or were there holes drilled for the string to feed through and tie on? Thanks in advance! 🙂
Jami says
Oh, it's SO much better on a trellis, Tara - you'll love it. As for the frame, it was probably 7 feet tall, with 8 to 10 inches of the legs in the ground. The string was just wrapped around the top pieces, no drilling necessary.
Just be prepared - this frame only lasted us about 3 years before it started rotting - at both the legs and the side pieces that held most of the cucumber weight. I've since moved to a metal A-frame trellis made of rebar. 🙂
Kerubo says
I wanna start growing cucumbers
Jami says
Great!
Charita says
Hi Jami,
I am an amateur . I love your "A" trellis idea. However I am trying to grow it vertically on bamboo stakes. What do you recommend when the vine reaches the top?
Jami says
I just let the vines fold over and hang down - it happens on the A-frame trellis, too.
David Agnolucci says
How long does it take from time u plant to having actual cucumbers on the vine ???
Jami says
It depends on the cucumber variety you're growing. I typically grow small pickling cucumbers which usually take 50-60 days to maturity.