Zucchini is a popular summer vegetable and is easy to grow. As a rule, they grow freely in the garden and can serve as ground cover. But the plants take up a lot of space. And if you don't have enough outdoor space or want to make the most of your garden space, you can grow zucchini vertically. In this case, zucchini need climbing support. In this article you will find out what advantages this can bring and how you can build a support system.
Do zucchini need climbing support: Advantages of vertical cultivation
Vertical cultivation saves space and that is why many gardeners choose it. Growing your zucchini plants vertically also helps make harvesting easier. Another advantage is the good shape of the plant, so your zucchini plants will look compact and neat. Better ventilation of climbing plants is also beneficial because improving air circulation prevents disease by preventing excess moisture. And gardeners know that moisture makes a plant susceptible to fungal diseases.
Better fruit production is also one of the advantages of vertical farming. Because compared to non-stacked plants, stacked zucchini plants have a higher yield. The trellis helps keep the fruit clean. So you can enjoy these healthy vegetables all summer long!
How to grow zucchini with trellis?
If you want to grow your zucchini as climbers, you need to maintain proper growing conditions. The trellis should be about one meter high and placed about 30 cm behind the plants. The plantsyou can through the trellisweave and so train them to grow as climbing plants. When building a support system, stability is of great importance so that the plants can develop properly and so that you can enjoy a bountiful harvest all summer long. The good support structure helps your zucchini climb up and bear healthy fruit.
Step-by-step instructions for vertical cultivation
First you need to prepare a sunny spot in the garden for your zucchini plants. You have to work the soil as usual and enrich it with compost. About 10cm of compost on top of the soil is perfect. Then work it in with the spade.
Next, you need to prepare the trellis in the ground before planting the plants. Make a sturdy support system because the fruits can be heavy. You can also use a fence as a climbing aid. If you use a trellis, you need to insert it into the ground at least 15 cm deep.
Another option is to build a support out of six-foot T-posts and a heavy metal fence. You should insert the T-posts 15 cm deep into the ground and stretch the metal fence along them. Attach the fence to the posts with metal clips and your climbing aid is ready.
Now it's time to plant your plants along the trellis. Zucchini need a distance of one meter from each other. If you are sowing seeds rather than seedlings, you will need to sow your seeds 1 inch deep. After sowing, press the soil firmly onto the seeds. Water generously with water.
When the plants are large enough, carefully tie each main stem to the support with string. This is how you train the plants to grow up the trellis. As the main vine grows longer, you will need to continue tying the plants down.
Simple support system with stakes for your zucchini plants
There is also the option of staking your zucchini plants, which means supporting each plant with a stake. This is easy because you don't need anything complicatedBuild support systems. A stake and some string or tape are sufficient.
For each plant you will need a sturdy stake that will be able to support the weight. Tie each stake with garden twine, twine or a piece of an old T-shirt. Check that your posts are secure. A loose stake definitely needs to be stabilized or your plants will be left without support. One way to fortify your supports is to add two more supports just before the first fruits appear.
Which varieties are suitable as climbing plants?
Actually, most varieties of zucchini can be grown as climbing plants. You just have to train them correctly and choose the right climbing aid. The plants are also perfect for growing in containers because their root system is compact. Here we show you some varieties that are particularly suitable as climbing plants:
Shooting Star F1:This variety is characterized by yellow fruits and is perfect for frying. It is also disease resistant, so growing Shooting Star is recommended.
Black Forest F1: This is one of the most suitable varieties that can be grown as a climbing plant in the garden or in containers. The fruits are smooth and dark green and the plant is very productive.
Trumpet:This is an Italian variety with great flavor. Zucchini generally need a lot of sun to thrive and produce a bountiful harvest. Good luck with growing zucchini this summer!
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