There is nothing quite like the versatility and space-saving qualities of a cucumber trellis to grow vining plants vertically. A cucumber trellis can be used to grow a plethora of garden vegetables and flowers and makes a great addition to raised beds.
Beans, peas, cucumbers, squash, and other popular vegetables have tendrils that allow them to climb vertically, which opens up valuable real estate in the garden bed for other treasured plants. Growing plants such as these on a cucumber trellis keeps vegetables off the ground, provides shade for plants with varying light requirements, and creates more space for other veggies to flourish.
Let’s take a look at how to build a cucumber trellis for raised beds so you, too, can reap the rewards of growing cucumbers vertically and vertical gardening.
Trellis Dimensions & Material
When considering how to build a cucumber trellis for raised beds, having the right tools and materials can make the project go much smoother. This particular cucumber trellis was made using redwood. The frame is 32 inches high and measures 49.5 inches long. The moveable legs were made to be 36 inches, but the length can be adapted to suit the size of your raised bed. The entire cost of the project was about ten dollars and required a time commitment of approximately two hours.
Trellis Material
- 2x2x8 Redwood (3)
- Chicken Wire or Hardware Cloth – 1″ x 2′
- 3/8 “Carriage Bolts (2)
- Nuts & Washers (2)
- Galvanized Steel Staples (a lot)
- 3-inch Screws (12)
- Wood Glue *Optional
Tools
- Impact Driver
- 3/8 “Wood Drill Bit
- Diagonal Cutter
- 1/4 “Crown Stapler
Trellis Wood Choices & Care
You can use any type of wood that is accessible to you and at the right price point for your budget to build this cucumber trellis for raised beds. Cedar and redwood are more resistant to rot and have the most longevity. Wood types such as Juniper, Douglas Fir, and Pine can also be used but may break down more quickly over time. As an added protective measure for all woods, consider applying raw linseed oil to your wood surfaces.
Trellis Usage & Versatility
When you build a cucumber trellis for raised beds, it can be used in many ways that can be impactful on your garden. This carriage bolt-hinged trellis can be positioned at different angles depending on your space and gardening needs. It can also be used for growing a variety of plants.
- If you are growing all full sun varieties of plants, position your cucumber trellis for raised beds with the legs facing the south side’s direction. This gives full sun access to all plants in the raised bed.
- If you are growing plants that require less sunlight than others, place the trellis side of the cucumber trellis for raised beds on the south side of the garden bed. As the vining plant climbs, it will provide a cover of protection to the plants growing in its shadow.
- Add two more legs to the cucumber trellis and secure all four legs in the soil so that plants can grow upward, supported by the trellis.
- Stand the cucumber trellis upright along the side of your raised bed, securing the legs in the soil and allow plants to climb straight up the cucumber trellis.
- If you change the design a bit and attach the legs of the trellis a little differently, you can even create a taller vertical trellis rather than a horizontal one.
- Remember that a cucumber trellis can be used for more than just growing cucumbers. Try planting peas, beans, squash, cucumbers and climbing flowering vines to draw in beneficial insects.
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Additional Vertical Trellis Design Preview
The concept of vertical gardening is exciting. Trellises add height, style, and beauty to any garden and allow gardeners to grow so much more in a given space. The possibilities are endless when it comes to how to build a cucumber trellis for raised beds.
We’ve found and shared some great designs in our video, from tall and simple box cage trellises to more ornate and versatile designs, all of which will take your gardens to new heights.
- A-frame or ladder
- Tall artistic trellis
- Taller box frame trellis
Trellis Construction
Follow the video and this step-by-step instructional guide for how to build a cucumber trellis for raised beds so you too can watch your climbing beauties soar.
- Use a miter saw, or circular saw to cut the wood into two sections of 49.5″ boards and two 32″ boards for the frame and two 36″ boards for the legs.
- Seal your wood joints with wood glue (optional). “Wherever there are joints, water can get in and sit, resulting in wood rot. Wood glue helps seal your joints so that water doesn’t penetrate and your wood lasts longer.”
- Clamp or nail the pieces together to hold them in place while you add the screws.
- Predrill two pilot holes in each corner with a ¼” impact driver. You will be using two 3″ screws per joint. “Pilot holes are not necessary for screwing, but they will make your screws going in straighter and with more accuracy.”
- Now that your rectangular frame is constructed, it’s time to attach the legs.
- Approximately 3″ from the top of the structure
- Carriage bolt centered approximately 1″ from top of the leg.
- Pilot hole with 3/8″ wood drill bit
- Hammer in 3/8″ carriage bolt and secure with nut and washer on each side.
- Layout your chicken wire or hardware cloth across the back of the frame. Use a diagonal wire cutter to cut the wire to size.
- Use a crown stapler and galvanized staples to secure the chicken wire or hardware cloth every couple of inches around the frame.
- Set your cucumber trellis for raised beds in your desired location.
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I always had a garden in New Jersey but when my house burned down everything with it and we bought a house in Florida because that’s when the housing prices are through the roof in 2013 and everything has a power strip with a circle fire I got the whole house on fire in the sun 10 minutes eight minutes 28 minutes to get there watching my house burn all the way to the ground I still walked into it and I put it out and everything is singed antique furniture that was 200 years old who won the police were sitting out front even go to the back door and came in through the back door stole everything off of us an hour so I did it come through on my back steps back stairwell and the cups that I only watch the front door back door or the back gate I was gardening and always had a freezer full of food I said my whole entire family all winter long time ago and never depend on grocery stores we had purple string beans eggplant lima beans everything in anything I had in my garden I made and froze I blanched froze it and we ate very well but my dogs loved it Brown rice and everything so everything else was just theirs Florida burn especially I’m trying to figure out how to keep my plants watered what are your system can’t smallest and not excessively dying and drying out any ideas I’d appreciate it thank you.
Hi Janet, we’re truly sorry to hear about the devastating loss of your home.
The best way to keep your plants watered is to implement an irrigation system. For your garden beds, we recommend drip irrigation. You can set it on a timer to water your plants as much as they need, right when they need it. Another way to help retain moisture in your beds is to add mulch; this protects the soil from the harsh sun, keeping your plants cooler and retaining moisture. We also advise that you use shade cloth, especially during warmer weather. Protecting your plants with shade cloth will help keep the sunlight from drying out your soil, and it will help keep your plants from burning in the sun. You may find these resources to be helpful, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xACwrx4F0uI, and https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/how-to-properly-water-your-garden-with-water-systems/. We also recommend this product for mulching your garden https://www.kellogggarden.com/products/kellogg/gromulch-2-in-1-planting-mix-and-mulch/ We hope this helps!