Super Simple Squash Trellis
This simple trellising project comes courtesy of Jeanette Richoux, a really fabulous gardener in Port Townsend, Washington. Jeanette and her husband Howard grow an astounding amount of food in their terraced hillside garden. They have raspberries, espaliered grapes and figs, and tons and tons of vegetables.
Like me, Jeanette loves to grow ‘Trombetta’—an heirloom Italian summer squash that climbs, or in the case of Jeanette’s garden, cascades. To make the most of their terraces, Howard built this simple wooden frame and then stapled heavy duty plastic deer fencing over it. To install the trellis, they just prop it up against the terrace. The trellis provides support to the ‘Trombetta’ vines and makes it easy for them to scramble down.
I think this trellis would work equally well fitted with a triple layer of bird netting or even chicken wire and could be used to grow ‘Trombetta’, cucumbers, pumpkins, and winter squash off a rockery or out of a large container. This year, I’m growing ‘Trombetta’ up my fence trellis and onto a wrought iron obelisk. If you haven’t grown it before, be sure to put this squash on your list for next year. The apostrophe-shaped fruit dangle like earrings off the plant and have a really mild flavor. I like ‘Trombetta’ grilled, but you can steam, saute, and make zucchini pancakes with it, too. Yum!
we are trying to go vertical with our squash this year. i will have to let you know how it goes.
June 30th, 2009 at 3:33 pmHow great! I’ve been wondering what to do about the vines that are heading over the rockery. Thanks so much for the pictures and a really simple idea.
June 30th, 2009 at 6:25 pmWhat a fantastic idea! Our in-town garden is raised beds enclosed by our 6′ cedar fence. In our limited space we have a greenhouse, loads of veggies, fruit trees and amazing berry bushes. My spectacular hubby and I will definitely give this a try. Jeanette and Howard, thanks for sharing your idea with darling Willi, so she can share with all of her friends!!
June 30th, 2009 at 9:19 pmWhat a great idea!! I’ve been looking for an idea like this. I can’t wait to try this with my squash!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:14 pmI think I’ll try ‘Trombetta’ next year. I love their simple idea. Anytime we can do something vertically, it is a good way to utilize unused space. We made a fence out of rebar and leftover field fencing. First, I grew peas on it. Now, we have cukes scrambling up the sides.
I wish I had a hillside where I could cascade veggies. Thanks.~~Dee
July 1st, 2009 at 6:48 amThis makes me wish that I didn’t live on a the second floor of an apartment. I have no room to do something like this, and I desperately want to. I guess I’ll just have to envy yours for now.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:49 amWhat a cool simple way to give the squash a lift on their way down. Beautiful.
Our “growing fence” is working pretty well so far with bird house gourds and butternut squash traveling up the fence intermingled with snow peas, sweet peas and runner beans. It’s an experiment in my garden of experimentation, so keep for fingers crossed it works out for us!
July 1st, 2009 at 8:27 amForgive me the sophmoric question – but have you written about a simple trellis for beens in a peapatch scenario? Thanks!
July 1st, 2009 at 8:48 amWren–Please do let me know how it goes! I’m growing several vertical squash this year, but I’m nervous because two of them really look like they have a bush habit. Guess we’ll see what happens!
Sheila–If you have vines in your rockery, I think this will work great!
Dee and GardenMentor–I’d love to see a photo of both of your fences!
Katrina–If you have a south or west facing balcony (or if your landlord will let you up on the roof), you could grow these on a trellis! We used to garden on our roof when we lived in apartment. It’s not ideal, especially when it comes to watering, but it’s fun!
Amy–I haven’t done a bean trellis that would work in a p-patch! When we had our p-patch we built teepees out of bamboo. You could also build a trellis like the one Dee describes. It would take up less space and create a border between your garden spot and your neighbors’.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:59 amThat is such a great idea. I’m growing Trombra D’Albenga (I think it’s the same thing?) for the first time this year. I thought that it was a courgette type plant, with one trailing, climbing stem. Now that I’ve seen your pics, I’m thinking that they’re going to need something a little bit more sturdy than a couple of horizontal wires… :s
July 6th, 2009 at 1:53 pm