But which vegetables grow best with a little support? Here are 10 vegetables that love to climb, plus helpful links to learn how to grow each one.

Bonus: I’ll also link to some of my favorite vertical gardening ideas and YouTube videos at the end!

1. Peas

Pea tendrils naturally seek out a trellis and climb without much help, quickly stretching as high as you’ll let them. A sturdy support system makes all the difference for a successful pea harvest.

→ Learn how to grow peas here.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes thrive when grown vertically. Keeping the plant upright prevents heavy branches from breaking and helps reduce disease by keeping the leaves off the ground. Plus, harvesting is much easier when tomatoes are easy to see.

My favorite way to trellis tomatoes? These tomato cages from Garden in Minutes.
→ Learn how to grow tomatoes here.

3. Loofah

Loofah gourds grow on vigorous vines that can easily stretch over 10 feet. Growing loofah vertically not only saves space but also helps the fruit stay long and straight. Give loofah plenty of room and a strong trellis for best results.

→ Learn how to grow loofah here.

→ Learn how to grow cucuzza gourd here.

4. Melons

Melons love to sprawl — but you don’t have to let them take over your garden! Growing melons vertically saves space, improves airflow, and keeps fruit off the soil, reducing the risk of rot and pests. Larger fruits like watermelons may need a little extra support with a hammock or melon sling.

→ Learn how to grow cantaloupe here.
→ Learn how to grow watermelon here.

5. Tomatillos

Tomatillo plants are sprawling and heavy — but their branches are also brittle. Growing tomatillos vertically keeps them off the ground, makes harvesting easier, and helps you spot pests earlier. Use trellis clips or gently tie branches as they grow.

→ Learn how to grow tomatillos here.

6. Yardlong Beans

Also called asparagus beans, these long, vigorous vines climb easily up tall trellises (6 feet or higher). Growing yardlong beans vertically keeps pests like potato bugs at bay and makes harvesting the dangling beans a breeze.

→ Learn how to grow beans here.

Bonus: Other climbing beans like pole beans and borlotti beans also love a vertical structure!

7. Malabar Spinach

Looking for a heat-loving, vining green? Malabar spinach is your answer. This tropical spinach alternative thrives in summer and can climb 10–20 feet with little effort. A strong trellis helps keep vines organized and easy to harvest.

→ Learn how to grow Malabar spinach here.

8. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are classic vertical growers. Grown up a trellis, cucumber vines produce straighter, healthier fruit that’s easier to pick. Encourage young vines to find the trellis, and they’ll do the rest with their curly tendrils.

→ Learn how to grow cucumbers here.

→ Learn how to grow Armenian cucumbers here.

9. Cucamelons

These adorable “mini watermelons” thrive when given something to climb. Cucamelon vines are delicate but vigorous and quickly latch onto a trellis. Growing cucamelons vertically keeps their fruit clean, easy to spot, and simple to harvest.

→ Learn how to grow cucamelons here.

10. Winter Squash

Vining winter squash plants (like pumpkins and butternut) can stretch 20 feet or more! Training squash vines up a trellis saves tons of space and helps keep pests and diseases at bay. Strong tendrils latch on, but you may want to sling heavier fruits as they mature.

• Learn how to grow winter squash here.
• Read the pumpkin growing guide here.
• Learn how to grow butternut squash here.

More Vertical Gardening Inspiration

Looking for more ideas and support structures for vertical gardening? Check out these helpful resources:

• Using Ladders in the Garden
• How to Use a Ladder Mesh Block Trellis
• 10 Ideas for Vertical Gardening
• 10 More Ways to Grow Vertically

Need help selecting what to grow? Explore the Ultimate Plant Index for inspiration and growing tips, all in one place.

Watch my YouTube videos for tips and inspiration on growing vertically!

Final Thoughts

Vertical vegetable gardening is a beautiful and practical way to maximize your garden space. Whether you’re growing peas in the spring, Armenian cucumbers in the summer, or winter squash in the fall, providing your crops with a structure to climb helps them stay healthier, easier to harvest, and more productive.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it. I’d love to hear about your favorite vegetables to grow vertically — leave a comment below.

The post Vertical Gardening: 10 Vegetables that Love to Climb appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

Plant support netting is an essential tool for growing long, straight stems perfect for cutting. This simple, reusable system is borrowed from flower farmers and works beautifully in home gardens. By grouping flowers together and using netting for support, you’ll save time and effort while enjoying abundant blooms with tall, straight stems. Here’s how to set up support netting for your flower garden.

Article Index:

• Why Use Trellis Netting for Cut Flowers?
• Flowers that Benefit from Plant Support Netting
• Supplies You’ll Need
• Plant Support Netting Step-by-Step Installation
• Pro Tips for Using Flower Trellis Netting for Cut Flowers

Why Use Trellis Netting for Cut Flowers?

Support netting offers several benefits for your flower garden:

• Prevents flowers from tipping over: Keeps stems upright even during rain or wind.
• Encourages straight growth: Flowers grow up through the netting for uniform, long stems ideal for vases.
• Saves time: Avoids the hassle of staking individual flowers.
• Reusable and efficient: Netting can be reused for multiple seasons with proper care.

Flowers that Benefit from Plant Support Netting

Many beloved cut flowers have tall stems or heavy blooms, making them prone to bending or breaking in wind and rain. Trellis netting helps these flowers grow straight and strong, ensuring you get the best possible blooms for your arrangements. Some of the flowers that particularly benefit from support netting include snapdragon, scabiosa, zinnia, campanula, cornflower, cosmos, dahlia, delphinium, lisianthus, poppy, Shasta daisy, and strawflower. (Click on the flower name for how-to-grow guides.)

For other ways to provide vertical support for flowers, see this guide.

Supplies You’ll Need

To install trellis netting for cut flowers, you’ll need a few basic supplies:

• Stakes: Use wooden or metal stakes at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) taller than your raised beds for proper height above the raised beds.
• Plant support netting: Look for polyester trellis netting that is durable and reusable. Ensure it is at least as wide as your beds. This is the netting I use on Amazon.
• Mallet or post pounder: For securing stakes in the ground.
• Scissors or pruning shears: These are used to trim excess netting if needed.

Plant Support Netting Step-by-Step Installation

1. Put Trellis Netting in Place Early in the Season

I like installing the support netting while plants are young, generally about a month after planting. This ensures they grow naturally through the netting as they develop.

2. Set Up Vertical Supports

• For an 8-foot (2.4-meter) long raised bed, place 3 stakes along each side, evenly spaced, for a total of 6 stakes. Adjust the number of supports for your size bed.
• Use a mallet or post-pounder to drive the stakes deep into the ground 8–12 inches (20–30 cm). Ensure the stakes on each side are directly opposite one another for stability.

3. Install the First Layer of Netting

• Stretch the netting across the bed and over the stakes. It should be taut but not overly tight to avoid bending the supports.
• Position the netting approximately 12 inches (30 cm) above the soil so plants can grow up through it.

4. Add a Second Layer (Optional)

• If your flowers are taller varieties, add a second layer of netting 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) above the first layer.
• You can install both layers at the same time or wait until plants grow taller before adding the second layer.

5. Train Plants Through the Netting

• Gently guide any plants outside the netting to grow upward through it. This encourages straight growth and prevents tangling.

Pro Tips for Using Flower Trellis Netting for Cut Flowers

• Mulch first: Add a layer of mulch before installing netting to reduce weeds and conserve moisture.
• Water evenly: Watering grids can help ensure even irrigation while keeping plants straight and healthy. These are the watering grids I use. Use code Angela10 to save $10 off $100 or ANGELA to save 7% on any size order.
• Leave space for access: Install netting with room between the layers and stakes to allow you to reach into the bed for harvesting or maintenance easily.
• Reinforce heavy blooms: Add additional stakes in the middle of the bed to ensure stability for top-heavy flowers like sunflowers or dahlias.

Enjoy the Tall Straight Stems Trellis Netting Provides

Support netting is a simple yet effective tool for growing beautiful, tall-stemmed flowers. With straight stems and fewer broken plants, you’ll have plenty of blooms for cutting and displaying. Plus, the reusable netting ensures this method is cost-effective and sustainable for future seasons. Start early, install it carefully, and watch your flower garden thrive.

Source

• The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa Mason Ziegler.

If this post about supporting cut flowers with trellis netting was helpful, please share it.

The post Plant Support Netting: The Secret to Perfect Cut Flowers appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

One of my most viewed YouTube videos covers various ways to incorporate vertical gardening into your space. Since publishing that video nearly three years ago, I have continued implementing new vertical gardening techniques in my garden. Here are some of my favorite new ways to garden vertically.

Article Index

1. Using cattle panels for vertical gardening
2. Trellis netting for cut flowers
3. Freyr trellis
4. Use the space between existing supports
5. Gracie Modern Arbor
6. Ladder mesh block trellises
7. Tomato cages
8. Galvanized cube towers
9. Whiskey barrel supports
10. Bamboo Poles

1. Using cattle panels for vertical gardening

In my first video, there were so many comments about how much people love using cattle panels for vertical space. I love using them too. Cattle panels, with their sturdy structure and open grid, are excellent tools for vertical gardening. Here are some creative ways to use them:

• Tomato Towers: Use cattle panels to create tomato towers. The open grid provides perfect support for these heavy fruiting vines.
• Cucumber Trellis: Shape a cattle panel into an arch and secure it between two garden beds to create a cucumber trellis. It allows cucumbers to hang down for easy picking.
• Bean Tunnel: Create a tunnel using a cattle panel for climbing beans. This not only makes harvesting easier but also provides a fun garden feature.
• Pea Fence: Peas need something to cling to as they grow. A cattle panel, with its small grid squares, is ideal for this.
• Vertical Squash Support: Use cattle panels to grow squash vertically to save space and prevent pest damage and rot when fruits rest on the ground.

2. Trellis netting for cut flowers

Using trellis netting is an easy way to keep your cut flowers buzzing with pollinators and looking beautiful.

Many of my favorite cut flowers grow quite tall, and staking them individually can be tedious. Enter trellis netting – a flower farmer’s idea for vertical gardening you can add to your garden. I used trellis netting this season to support my lisianthus.

• I put wooden pole supports in each corner and then stretched the net between the poles. I used this trellis netting from Amazon.
• The netting is held taught between the four stakes.
• Cut off the excess netting.
• The flowers grow up and are supported by the netting.
• For taller flowers, use two layers of netting several inches apart.

Get more details about how to use and install trellis netting for cut flowers in this guide.

The Perpetual Annual Flower Planting Calendar, available in my shop, helps you learn when to plant flowers in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants.

3. Freyr trellis

The Freyr trellis is a timeless way to add structure and beauty to your garden – attach a string or jute netting to a pole and watch your plants grow. 

Well-designed, well-made, easy to install, and easy to use. You can attach strings to the pole and use a vertical string technique or attach jute netting. The Freyr trellis is available from Seattle Urban Farm Company. It is not inexpensive but will last many years. I added this jute netting from Amazon.

4. Use the space between existing supports

Who knew rebar could be so useful? I’m almost embarrassed to admit this next one. I’ve had this rebar trellis since 2015 and just now realized I could use the poles for vertical supports in the middle of the bed.

Stringing jute across the bed worked well to support these tomatillos this season. If you’re looking for ideas for vertical gardening, look at your garden and see where you already have supports in place. Could you use them to support vertical growing crops?

5. Gracie Modern Arbor

If you’re looking for a statement piece, try a Gracie Modern Arbor.

I’ve admired the beauty and elegance of this arbor for years and was thrilled to add one at the entrance to my garden last fall. Currently, luffa vines are making their way up, and hopefully, the coral vine I planted will take off and take over this arbor as well. The Gracie Modern Arbor was simple to install, exceptionally well-made, and available for purchase from Terra Trellis.

More Ideas for Vertical Gardening

6. Ladder mesh block trellises

I keep finding more ways to use ladder mesh block to garden vertically, so I’m including this vertical gardening idea again. Ladder mesh block is inexpensive and versatile. It’s the perfect size to add to grow bags and other containers. This season I’m growing cantaloupe, Armenian cucumbers, and butternut squash on these versatile trellises. Learn more about using ladder mesh block in this blog post and video.

7. Tomato cages

One of the most common ideas for vertical gardening is using tomato cages. I didn’t include these in the first video, but I use them all the time, and I’m guessing you have some in your garden too! They often get a bad rap, but they can be a cost-effective solution. They are a good option for supporting smaller determinate tomatoes and peppers. Check your local nursery for different options.

8. Galvanized cube towers

I was excited when I saw these at a local nursery. Galvanized cube towers – here’s what I love about them. They are easy to install by pushing the supports down into the soil. Once in place, they are sturdy and secure. The interior is large, with plenty of room for crops to grow. The towers are also collapsable for easy storage. Purchase them at local nurseries or online from Midwest Wire Works.

9. Whiskey barrel supports

I’m a huge fan of growing in whiskey barrels. My friend’s husband welds these supports that fit inside them perfectly. I’ve seen variations of these types of trellises for sale in other places as well. Adding a trellis doubles your growing space. Whiskey barrel supports are perfect for growing sweet peas, one of my favorite climbing flowers.

10. Bamboo poles

Humble bamboo poles are inexpensive and so versatile. Use one or use several. Is something growing that needs a little extra support? Push a bamboo pole into the ground near the base of the plant. I use these clips to attach the stem to the pole (if needed).

If you know what you are growing will require support (like these borlotti beans), put the poles in place when planting. I purchase my bamboo poles from Amazon.

Let me know your ideas for vertical gardening in the comments. Don’t forget to check out the other vertical gardening resources on my blog and YouTube.

• The original blog post with ten more ideas for adding vertical gardening.
• Wondering which fruits and vegetables are best grown vertically? This post shares ten of my favorite.
• Ladders are a simple way to add vertical space to any garden. Learn more in this blog post.

If this post full of ideas for vertical gardening was helpful, please share it.

The post Ten Creative Ideas for Vertical Gardening appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

Why add ladders in the garden?

1. Space Efficiency: Ladders allow you to take advantage of vertical space, making them perfect for small gardens, patios, or balconies where horizontal space is limited.
   
2. Increased Plant Health: Vertical gardening can help improve air circulation around plants, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. It also makes it harder for some pests to reach the plants.
   
3. Ease of Maintenance: Plants on a ladder are easier to reach for pruning, watering, and harvesting. This can make gardening tasks less strenuous.
   
4. Aesthetically Pleasing: A garden ladder can add visual interest to your garden. It can be painted or decorated to match the style of your outdoor space.
   
5. Versatility: Garden ladders can be used to grow a variety of plants, including herbs, flowers, and small fruits and vegetables. They’re also great for displaying potted plants.
   
6. Accessibility: For people with mobility issues, raising the plants off the ground can make gardening more accessible and enjoyable.
   
7. Increased Yield: By growing plants vertically, you can often grow more plants in the same space, potentially increasing your yield.
   

Remember, when using a ladder for vertical gardening, ensure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of the plants and positioned in a spot where it won’t easily tip over.

I can almost hear you thinking… “Where can I find a ladder?”

Look around your yard. You may have one leaning against the side of your house. If not, you’re sure to see one at a yard sale or on your next trip to Goodwill. I didn’t pay more than $5 for any of the four ladders in my garden. The tallest ladder was given to me for free when my mom upgraded her wooden ladder to a lighter aluminum one!  

Check online sellers like Offer-Up and Facebook Marketplace for ladders.

Once you find your ladder, let me walk you through where to position it

An important consideration is deciding if you want to maximize sunlight for your plants or provide them with some shade.

• To maximize sunlight, position the ladder on the north edge of your garden bed or next to a fence or wall.
• Alternatively, shade sun-sensitive plants in hotter regions by having the ladder on the south side, filtering the sunlight for plants that need relief from the sun.
• Be smart when using trellises, and think about the placement to get the maximum benefit and not have unintended consequences of shading plants.

Why use a ladder to garden vertically?

Depending on the size of the ladder, they offer a lot of room and a large area for the plants to grow up.

• Gardening vertically allows more sunlight, air, and pollinators to reach your plants. The added sunlight, airflow, and pollinators also increase production. You’ll harvest extra produce more easily because you don’t have to hunch over and search for the fruits of your labors.
• They are removable. If you don’t want them for one season, it’s easy to remove and store the ladders until needed.

Many crops I plant in winter aren’t vining, so I don’t need the ladders, and I take them out.

One last tip when using ladders in the garden:

Some plants have tendrils that reach out and find the ladder on their own. Others need help finding the ladder but will climb up on their own

Other plants need you to tie or attach them to the ladder. Keep an eye on your plants, and help them if needed.

As you walk through your garden each day, tuck and wrap plants around your ladder as needed.

The result of using ladders in the garden? Healthy, happy plants and beautiful architectural interest. Give ladders in the garden a try.

Looking for ideas of vegetables that would love to climb up a ladder in the garden? This article shares 10 of my favorite.

Looking for more ways to add vertical space to your garden? Check out this article. 

In this blog post, find more ways to add vertical space to your garden.

Get planting dates for your favorite crops with these visual planting guides for bulbs, vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers & vines.

If this post about how to use ladders in the garden was helpful, please share it:

The post How to Use Ladders in the Garden appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

Arch Walkway Trellis Installation

I love vertical gardening. When I expanded my garden in 2020, I wanted to incorporate a permanent vertical structure between the 6 raised beds. I worked with a local welder, Two Brothers Metal Works, to design a functional and beautiful trellis.

Dimensions:

Each of the 3 arch trellises is 4 feet (1.22m) wide and 75 inches (1.9m) tall, arching in the middle to 7 feet (2.13m) tall, with 3 feet (.91m) between the sides.

Support:

Each corner post extends 18″ (45cm) and is set in place with concrete. This makes them very stable.

If you want to be able to move them in the future, you might not want to fill them in with concrete, but they may need to be adjusted occasionally as some legs may sink.

Transporting:

The arch walkway trellises were built in a shop and then transported to my house. There was a temporary stabilizer between each side. This was cut off after installation.

Arch walkway trellises through the seasons

The permanent vertical space supplied by these trellises has been put to good use throughout the years since installation. Here’s some of what has grown on them:

Vertical vegetable gardening saves space, helps avoid pests and diseases, makes harvesting easier, and adds beauty to your garden. But which vegetables are best grown vertically? In this article, I share 10 vegetables that love to climb.

What I love about the arch walkway trellises

Installing a walkway arch trellis in your garden can really transform it into something special. I love the look of these trellises from any angle.

• Permanent vertical growing space – so much of what I grow loves to climb; it makes garden planning easier because I have so many vertical options.
• The height is just right for most plants and makes harvesting easy.
• Walking through the tunnel with it covered with plants is pretty magical. It feels like a secret garden.

What I’d change

Overall, I am very happy with the arch walkway trellises. However, experience is the best teacher, and there are a couple of things I would change if I could do it again.

• Make them wider. Three feet isn’t quite wide enough, and sprawling plants can quickly overtake the middle.
• Powdercoat the steel so it doesn’t rust. The steel began to rust, and I treated it and then spray-painted the trellises, but a better option would have been to do this from the beginning.

If you’re interested in trying out a walkway arch trellis, this post has hopefully given you more insight into how it’s done!

More Vertical Gardening Resources:

• Looking for a quick and inexpensive way to add vertical space? Here’s your answer.
• This post shares ten ways to add vertical space to your garden.
• In this blog post, find more ways to add vertical space to your garden.

If this post about my arch walkway trellis was helpful, please share it.

The post Vertical Gardening: Arch Walkway Trellises appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

10 Ideas for Vertical Gardening

Some reasons I love to grow vertically include:

• Adding vertical gardening space gives you extra room when space is limited.
• Plants are healthier when grown vertically because it is easier to discover pests and problems earlier.
• Gardening vertically allows more sunlight and air to reach the plant, which helps the plant be more productive.
• Growing plants vertically adds beauty to the space and can hide unsightly areas of your yard. 
• It is easier to find and harvest fruits from plants grown vertically.

Keep in mind when growing vertically: 

• To maximize sunlight, position the trellis on the north edge of your garden bed or next to a fence or wall. 
• Alternatively, shade sun-sensitive plants in hotter regions by having the trellis on the south or west side, filtering the sunlight for plants that need relief from the sun.

Keep reading for vertical gardening ideas and my ten favorite ways to add vertical space to your garden. 

Vertical gardening idea #1: Add vertical space with ladders

I love repurposing vintage items like ladders in the garden. Ladders are an easy way to add architectural interest and vertical space to your garden.

Want more information? Check out this article about ladders in the garden. 

Vertical gardening idea #2: Use Arches

I used two arches to create a walkway effect in my garden. 

Vertical gardening idea #3: Add vertical space to your garden with wall-mounted rebar trellises

If you can weld (or know someone who does), these wall-mounted rebar trellises are an inexpensive way to add vertical space to your garden.

Add several small trellises to create an arch. I’m hoping this container-grown rose fills in the space beautifully.

Vertical gardening idea #4: Add vertical space to your garden with ladder mesh block

One of the most versatile, quick, and inexpensive ways to easily add vertical space in the garden is using ladder mesh blocks.

Plants love growing vertically up the repurposed trellis, and it’s easy to install anywhere in the garden. Read more about using them in this article.

Vertical gardening idea #6: Build it yourself with electrical conduit and wire mesh panels

These trellises are an adaptation from Mel of Square Foot Gardening. It is simple to build the size you need.  

• Pound 2 foot rebar into ground about a foot deep. 
• Slide electrical conduit over the rebar. (Most home improvement stores will cut the electrical conduit for you.)
• Fit pieces of conduit together using plumbing fittings.
• Can be built as a single trellis or as the multi-paneled one seen here.
• Use cattle panel for the trellis. The panels can be cut to size using a bolt cutter. 
• Attach the cattle panel to the electrical conduit with metal zip-ties. 

Vertical gardening idea #7: Try wall-mounted wire mesh panels

These wall-mounted garden screen trellises from Two Brothers Metal Works are a great addition to the garden. 

Vertical gardening idea #8: Add vertical space to your garden with cattle panel between beds

One of the simplest ways to use cattle panels is to prop them between your raised beds, creating a low arch between the beds. This is an easy way to keep vegetables off the ground.

Vertical gardening idea #9: Add vertical space to your garden with rebar trellises

After I added these raised beds, I needed something to allow the plants to climb and a way to provide shade in the summer. (I attach shade cloth to the top of this trellis in the summer.) My neighbor brainstormed with me about the design and then he welded these trellises. They are a great addition to the garden. 

Vertical gardening idea #10: Use what you have on hand and a little imagination to grow vertically

I had never seen a ladder, ladder mesh block, or rebar trellises used in the garden before, but I used the materials available to me to add vertical space to my garden. 

Look around your garden, house, and yard – is there something that you could use to grow vertically in the garden? Give it a try! Let me know in the comments some of the ways you garden vertically.

In this blog post, find more ways to add vertical space to your garden.

If this post about vertical gardening ideas was helpful, please share it.

The post Vertical Gardening Ideas: 10 Ways to Add Vertical Space to Your Garden appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

One of my favorite ways, and one of the most versatile, quick, and inexpensive ways, to quickly add vertical space in the garden is using ladder mesh block. Plants love growing vertically up the repurposed trellis, and it’s easy to install anywhere in the garden. 

What is Ladder Mesh Block? ​

Ladder mesh block is used in masonry applications when building. It reinforces the horizontal mortar joints of masonry block walls.

Ladder Mesh Block is Versatile and Easy to Install to Add Vertical Space in the Garden

Follow these steps to use ladder mesh block as a trellis in your garden:

• It is best to put the ladder mesh block in place before planting or at the time of planting so as not to disrupt the plant’s roots.
• Place one end in the soil next to the climbing plant, and push it into the soil until it is several inches deep. Bury to the first crossbar if possible.
• Bend the ladder mesh block over and press the other end into the soil approximately 2-3 feet away from where you placed the first end.
• As the plant grows, help the plant find and climb the ladder mesh block trellis, wrapping the ends around the trellis.
• At the end of the season, pull out the ladder mesh block and store for later use.

Tips for adding vertical space to your garden with ladder mesh block

• Use several ladder mesh block trellises in a row when you have more than one climbing plant.
• Use multiple trellises next to each other for large plants like cantaloupe or small watermelon varieties.
• Fasten two together with zip ties for a larger arched trellis.
• For extra support, place a tent stake over the first crossbar into the soil to hold the buried ladder mesh block in place.
• Place the ends in neighboring containers to allow plants to climb between the containers. Use several ladder mesh block panels in neighboring containers to make a statement in the garden. 
• Pay attention when fruits form on plants such as cucumbers and cantaloupe. While the fruits are small, ensure they hang down in the middle of the trellis (not along the outside) for the most support.
• Spend a little time each day tucking plants in and around the trellis. 

Which plants grow best on ladder mesh block?

Ladder mesh block trellises provide an excellent trellis for peas, pole beans, asparagus beans, borlotti beans, cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers, cucamelons, cantaloupe, honeydew, mini-watermelons, Malabar spinach, and small vining winter squash such as delicata and mini-Jack pumpkins. 

Are there any plants that don’t grow well on ladder mesh block trellises?

Large vining plants such as luffa, pumpkins, many varieties of winter squash, and most watermelons will quickly overtake a ladder mesh block trellis. Larger types of trellises are much more effective for these types of plants.

Most varieties of tomatoes would be difficult to contain on a ladder mesh block trellis.

Additional uses for ladder mesh block in the garden

Drape shade cloth over ladder mesh block to shade plants.

Use ladder mesh blocks as “hoop supports” for floating row cover for frost or insect protection.

Cover them with tulle to protect newly-planted seeds and seedlings from birds.

Use vining plants growing on ladder mesh block trellises to shade plants growing underneath.

Where can I find ladder mesh block?

Ladder mesh block can be found in the building and masonry department of big box home improvement stores for $3-$5 (depending on the width you choose). 

Which size of ladder mesh block is best for adding vertical space?

Ladder mesh block is available in a narrow 2-inch width (shown) and a wider 8-inch width. Both widths are about 10 1/2 feet long. Either size works well; use the size you prefer.

Why add vertical space in the garden?

• Plants left to sprawl on the ground can attract unwanted pests and diseases. 
• More pollinators, sunlight, and air reach plants when gardening vertically.

For an alternative way to add vertical space to your garden check out my post on GreenStalk Gardening Tips, where I share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in my Arizona garden.

Looking for ways to add vertical space to your garden? This post shares 10 of my favorite ideas.

In this blog post, find more ways to add vertical space to your garden.

If this post about using ladder mesh block to add vertical space to your garden was helpful, please share it:

Originally published June 3, 2018. Updated May 2, 2022.

The post Add Vertical Space in the Garden appeared first on Growing In The Garden.