How to grow edibles vertically

[mich1972]

Good morning Workshop Community Friends. I’m back out in the Garden and it’s been been really hot here in Perth. 
Thought I would share with you what I have growing at the moment. Not too much but enough. In our No Dig Garden I have set up a very old school way to trellis Lebanese Cucumbers, using twine, veggie clips and hanging basket hooks. Also Reo Mesh, Hard Trellis for my Rockmelons and Pumpkins. Keeping it simple. The Lebanese Cucumbers are easy and fast growing , even for a beginner Gardener who wants to grow them. 

Materials

Twine

Veggie Clips 

Stakes ( star pickets ) strong 

Hanging Basket Hooks ( Square )

Lebanese Cucumber Seedlings 

Rockmelon Seedlings 

Pumpkin Seedlings, they are a dwarf Diggers Seeds Variety 

Triple C Mulch 

Charlie Carp Liquid Fertiliser 

Garden Lime

Ezi Wet Granular Wetting Agent 

Tools

Trowel to dig holes to plant the seedlings 

Gloves to protect hands

Sun hat and long sleeves for sun protection 

Steps

Step 1

Choose the spot you want to grow Vertically. I have gone old school and just using the good old fashioned way, stake, twine and basket hooks. 

The square basket hooks hang off the brick wall, I have used steel star pickets and the recycled plastic stakes. They are both sturdy and strong enough for the string trellis. Ran the twine up and down around the basket hooks and stakes. 

I added Garden Lime to the soil as this is an important step when planting vegetables here in Perth with our poor sandy soil. I also added Granulated Wetting Agent as always because the soil becomes hydrophobic over time and needs to be replenished. Planted the seedlings and mulched with Triple C Mulch. I always use it as it breaks down down into a beautiful feeding compost. 

 

 

This Reo Mesh has Rockmelons on the left and Dwarf variety of Pumpkin on the right. It is just leaning against the wall on an angle. 

Step 2

I liquid feed every week with Charlie Carp and the seedlings grow fast and healthy. 

 

As they start growing I use veggie clips to secure them to the string trellis and also the mesh trellis 

They have tendrils that naturally grab onto whatever they are climbing on, the veggie clips just provide extra support. 

Step 3

These Rockmelons are in another spot in the garden, climbing up Rustic Mesh. 

The trellis are held up with hanging basket hooks on the pergola. 

Growing fast 

Step 4

I have been randomly cutting off leaves throughout the vines to help promote more airflow and prevent fungal infections. This is extremely important, especially on the hot humid days we get. 
I also water the soil NOT the foliage if I can help it and I NEVER water at night because that’s when you start getting fungal infections such as Powdery Mildew which is very common. 

Step 5

 

 

As they grow I just keep twisting them around the string and attach a clip. 

 

 

 

[EricL]

Hi @mich1972 

It’s inspiring to see how you’re making the most of your garden in the Perth heat—your no-dig approach and clever trellising are a great reminder that gardening doesn’t have to be complicated to be productive. Keep up the great work, and I’m sure your plants will reward you with a bountiful harvest!

Thank you for sharing your amazing vertical garden project.

Eric

[mich1972]

Thank you Eric. You can keep Gardening through our hot summer in Perth, as long as you keep on top of watering, mulching, wetting agent for our poor sandy soil. I have completely changed out my planting, growing different edibles as you do not want to keep planting the same plants every year. Crop rotation is really important.