Save Space and Increase Garden Yields by Growing Crops Vertically

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Growing crops vertically using tepees for peas and cucumber racks.
Growing crops vertically using tepees for peas and cucumber racks.
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Growing crops vertically using tomato bins.
Growing crops vertically using tomato bins.
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The cucumber growing rack.
The cucumber growing rack.
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Sapling and bamboo pea/bean supports.
Sapling and bamboo pea/bean supports.
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A modular tomato cage made of 1 inch -2 inch wood lathe or lattice, stiff wire (in the interior), weatherproof glue, and copper clench nails.
A modular tomato cage made of 1 inch -2 inch wood lathe or lattice, stiff wire (in the interior), weatherproof glue, and copper clench nails.

Growing crops vertically can make improvements on garden space and increase yields, all with less work involved. (See the gardening illustrations in the image gallery.)

“To Jack’s amazement, the magic beans he got in trade for his mother’s cow had sprouted. And, a giant beanstalk was growing up . . . and up . . . and up some more . . . till it vanished ht the bright blue sky.”
–Jack the Giant Killer . . . old tale

Save Space and Increase Garden Yields by Growing Crops Vertically

I don’t know if vegetables experience contentment; they don’t express it in an animate, warm-blooded way… can’t smile or wag their tails or gallop around the pasture. But I do know from over a quarter century of garden experimentation that such natural climbers as Kentucky Wonder pole beans and Heavenly Blue morning glories will act as close to happy as I can perceive–will grow vigorously, offering double or triple the production–if simply allowed to climb as high as they want. The flower vines will go 25 feet or more, and the beans do best if planted at the base of 12-feet strings.

In Nature, plants have help in growing up. They can scale established vegetation, top hills and rocks, or twine up dead and downed trees and brush piles. But the typical garden is dinner-plate flat. There is no natural up to be had, so gardeners must fashion poles, cages, tents, and garden structures to guide plants in claiming the air rights over the garden plot.

  • Published on Apr 1, 1996
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