Think vertical as gardening takes an upward trend
Vertical gardening is a unique and practical method of making the most all of your garden space. When plants such as tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and melons are left to sprawl on the ground they will take up to 10 times as much space as growing them vertically. With the exception of tomatoes and pole beans, too few gardeners take advantage of this gardening technique.
In addition to saving space, there are a number of advantages to growing vegetables off the ground.
* They are cleaner and more resistant to disease.
* Plants will not be subjected to soil rot which results from the fruit lying on the ground.
* Many crawling and soil borne insects and pests will not bother them. * Plants receive good air circulation.
* Vertical gardening can provide privacy and screen off unsightly views.
* Gardeners who fi nd regular gardening physically challenging will enjoy vertical gardening because it eliminates a lot of bending over.
Examples of plants that can be grown vertically: * Tomatoes
* Butternut squash * Cucumbers
* Pole beans and lima beans
* Acorn squash * Peppers
* Sweet and snap peas
The fi rst rule in creating a trellis structure for vertical gardening is to make it very strong and solid
Some points to remember when thinking about ‘going vertical’!
* Plants require watering more often, so mulch accordingly.
* How high will the plants be at maturity? Keep in mind that you will need to reach them easily, so do not build the support trellis too tall.
* Plan so that the vertical structures
are on the north side of the plant beds so as to not shade the plants growing on the ground.
* Hanging baskets can be used with success. If the structure that they hang from is too high, rig up a pulley system to raise and lower the plants making access and watering easier.
The fi rst rule in creating your trellis structure is to make it very strong and solid. It must be able to support the weight of ripe vegetables and also be able to withstand winds of up to 30 miles an hour when the structure is covered in vegetables..
You will also require a sturdy system of netting or other support upon which the plants will grow. Strong plastic or wire netting can be used. Wood lattice may work for one or two years, but since it is very cheaply built, it will not last very long or possibly collapse under the weight.
Superb Wooden planters now for sale at Thorngrove
Strong and durable
Sizes and prices vary from 2’x2’ for £35
Many more sizes available We also make to order - just ask for Chris or Jim!
Thorngrove Garden Centre was set up by Scope, a national disability charity, whose vision is a world where disabled people have the same opportunities to fulfil their life ambitions as non-disabled people. By purchasing goods and services from Thorngrove you are supporting Scope’s work in our local community. Thank you.
Open Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.00 Sunday 10.00 - 4.00
Common Mead Lane (off Broad Robin), Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4RE
Phone 01747 822242 Fax 01747 825966 Registered Charity No 208231
46
Country Gardener
Philip displaying one of our lovely hardy fuchsias - available now. Will give you colour until the 1st Frosts. Prices start from £3.99
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