Vertical gardening has exploded in popularity in recent years, offering a clever solution for maximizing garden space, especially in urban environments. This innovative approach not only allows you to cultivate a bountiful harvest in a limited area, but it also boasts several other advantages. Vertical gardens improve air circulation, create a visually stunning display, and can even deter certain pests.
One of the most rewarding aspects of vertical gardening is the ability to grow climbing vegetables. These vining plants, with a little help, can be trained to ascend trellises, fences, or netting, maximizing their yield and minimizing the ground space they occupy. Let’s explore 13 fantastic climbing vegetables that will thrive in your vertical garden:
1. Pole Beans (Green Beans, Kidney Beans, etc.)
Pole beans are a classic choice for vertical gardens. These easy-to-grow, prolific producers offer a delicious and nutritious harvest throughout the season. Pole beans, unlike their bush bean counterparts, boast a vining growth habit, sending out long runners that readily grasp onto any available support. Trellises, fences, or even sturdy netting are all suitable structures for your pole bean plants.
Planting pole beans in your vertical garden is straightforward. Sow seeds directly at the base of your chosen support structure, ensuring a depth of about 1 inch. Space your seeds according to the specific variety you’ve chosen, typically around 4-6 inches apart. As the seedlings emerge, gently guide their tendrils to wrap around the support. For optimal results, maintain consistent moisture in the soil and provide at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
There are a multitude of pole bean varieties available, each offering a slightly different flavor profile and maturity time. Popular choices for vertical gardens include Kentucky Wonder (classic green bean), Scarlet Runner (vibrant red bean with edible pods), and Royal Burgundy (purple bean with a nutty flavor).
2. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are another fantastic addition to your vertical garden. These refreshing and space-saving vegetables add a delightful crunch to salads and sandwiches. Cucumber plants, like pole beans, possess a vining growth habit, making them ideal candidates for vertical cultivation. Trellises or netting are the preferred support structures for cucumbers, allowing the vines to climb freely and produce a bountiful harvest.
Planting cucumbers in your vertical garden is similar to pole beans. Sow seeds directly at the base of your support, ensuring a depth of about ½ inch. Space your seeds 12-18 inches apart to allow for proper vine growth. Once seedlings emerge, train their tendrils to grasp onto the support structure. Cucumbers thrive in warm temperatures and require consistent moisture. Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot weather.
When selecting cucumber varieties for your vertical garden, consider options with smaller fruit size. Lemon cucumbers, for instance, are compact and prolific, making them well-suited for vertical spaces. Other popular choices include Burpee Hybrid II (disease-resistant and high-yielding) and Spacemaster (climbing variety perfect for limited space).
3. Tomatoes (Indeterminate Varieties)
Indeterminate tomatoes, unlike their bush counterparts, boast a vining growth habit, making them ideal for vertical gardens. These versatile vegetables offer the joy of enjoying fresh, homegrown tomatoes throughout the season. Indeterminate tomato plants can grow quite tall, so a sturdy support system is crucial. Sturdy trellises or large tomato cages are ideal for these vigorous climbers.
Planting indeterminate tomatoes in your vertical garden requires proper staking or caging from the outset. Insert your chosen support structure deeply into the soil before planting your tomatoes. Sow seeds or transplant seedlings at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 6-8 inches. As your tomato plants grow, gently guide their stems to twine around the support structure. Regular pruning and pinching off suckers (offshoots that grow between the main stem and branches) will encourage better fruit production.
There are a vast number of indeterminate tomato varieties available, each offering a unique flavor profile and maturity time. For vertical gardens, consider cherry tomato varieties like Sungold (sweet and prolific) or Black Cherry (deep red with a rich flavor). Other popular choices include Brandywine Red (large, heirloom variety) and Big Boy (high-yielding and disease-resistant).
4. Peas (Snap Peas, Snow Peas)
Peas are a delightful cool-season crop that thrives in vertical gardens. These climbing vegetables, with their delicate tendrils, add a touch of elegance to your vertical space while offering a delicious and nutritious harvest. Snap peas and snow peas are the preferred varieties for vertical gardens due to their manageable size and climbing ability. Lightweight trellises or netting are suitable support structures for these delicate plants.
Planting peas in your vertical garden is quite simple. Sow seeds directly at the base of your chosen support, ensuring a depth of about 1-2 inches. Space your seeds according to the specific variety, typically 2-3 inches apart. Peas prefer cooler temperatures, so aim for planting in early spring or late fall depending on your climate. Maintain consistent moisture in the soil, particularly during germination and pod development.
When selecting pea varieties for your vertical garden, consider options with shorter maturity times. Sugar Snap peas, for instance, are a popular choice due to their sweetness and quick growth cycle. Other suitable varieties include Dwarf Snow Peas (compact and prolific) and Alderman ( shelling pea with excellent yields).
5. Melons (Cantaloupe, Honeydew)
Melons might seem like an unconventional choice for vertical gardens, but with proper support, they can be a rewarding addition to your climbing vegetable repertoire. Important to note: Growing melons vertically requires a sturdy support system due to the weight of the fruit. Heavy-duty trellises or a combination of trellis and slings/hammocks are necessary to prevent the melons from breaking the vines.
Planting melons in your vertical garden requires careful planning and a strong support structure. Sow seeds directly at the base of the trellis, ensuring a depth of about ½ inch. Space your seeds 36-48 inches apart to allow for proper vine growth. Once seedlings emerge, train their tendrils to grasp onto the support structure. Melons are heat-loving plants and require consistent moisture. Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot weather.
While not all melon varieties are suitable for vertical gardens, there are some excellent options. Consider smaller-fruited varieties like Honey Globe melons (sweet and compact) or Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe (ideal for limited space). Remember, providing adequate support for the developing melons is essential for success.
6. Malabar Spinach
This tropical vine isn’t your typical spinach. Malabar spinach boasts large, heart-shaped leaves with a slightly milder flavor than traditional spinach. It thrives in warm climates and adds a beautiful, exotic touch to your vertical space.
Preferred Support Structures: Sturdy trellis, fence, or netting.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about ½ inch. Space seeds 8-12 inches apart. Malabar spinach prefers warm temperatures and consistent moisture. Regularly pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushier growth and more leaves.
7. Luffa (Loofah Sponge Gourd)
Luffa is a fascinating vining plant that produces not only edible immature fruits but also the fibrous mesh we know as loofah sponges when fully mature. The young luffa gourds can be enjoyed stir-fried or added to soups and stews.
Preferred Support Structures: Very sturdy trellis or fence due to the weight of the mature gourds.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 1 inch. Space seeds 36-48 inches apart. Luffa requires warm temperatures and consistent moisture. Provide ample support for the developing gourds as they mature.
8. Chioggia Beets
Move over, red beets! Chioggia beets offer a visually stunning addition to your vertical garden with their vibrant candy cane-striped flesh. These colorful beets boast a milder, slightly sweeter flavor compared to traditional red beets.
Preferred Support Structures: Sturdy trellis or fence.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 1 inch. Space seeds 4-6 inches apart. Chioggia beets prefer cooler temperatures and consistent moisture. Thin seedlings to allow for proper root development.
9. Yardlong Beans
As their name suggests, Yardlong beans are a unique climbing bean variety that produces incredibly long, slender pods. These versatile beans are popular in Asian cuisine and add a delightful crunch to stir-fries and salads.
Preferred Support Structures: Sturdy trellis, fence, or netting.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 1 inch. Space seeds 6-8 inches apart. Yardlong beans require warm temperatures and consistent moisture. Harvest the beans when they are young and tender for the best flavor.
10. Climbing Nasturtiums
Climbing nasturtiums are a delightful addition to your vertical garden, offering not only beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers but also edible leaves and peppery-flavored seed pods. These versatile plants add a pop of color and a unique flavor dimension to salads and sandwiches.
Preferred Support Structures: Lightweight trellis, fence, or netting.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about ½ inch. Space seeds 6-8 inches apart. Climbing nasturtiums prefer cooler temperatures and moderate moisture. Feel free to harvest the flowers, leaves, and seed pods throughout the season.
11. Asparagus Peas
Asparagus peas, also known as snap peas or shelling peas depending on the variety, offer a double harvest. Enjoy the tender peas themselves, or harvest the entire pod when young and enjoy the crisp, flavorful texture similar to asparagus.
Preferred Support Structures: Lightweight trellis, fence, or netting.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 1-2 inches. Space seeds 2-3 inches apart. Asparagus peas prefer cool temperatures and consistent moisture. Opt for varieties known for shorter maturity times for a quicker harvest.
12. Edamame
Edamame, a favorite among vegetarians and vegans, is the immature pod of the soybean plant. Climbing varieties of edamame are perfect for vertical gardens, allowing you to enjoy this protein-packed and versatile vegetable fresh from your own space.
Preferred Support Structures: Sturdy trellis or fence due to the weight of the developing pods.
Planting Tips: Sow seeds directly at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 1 inch. Space seeds 6-8 inches apart. Edamame requires warm temperatures and consistent moisture. Be mindful that edamame has specific nitrogen-fixing needs, so research companion planting options or consider using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
13. Sweet Potatoes
While typically known for their underground tubers, some sweet potato varieties boast vining growth habits. While you won’t be harvesting potatoes from your vertical garden, the tender leaves and shoots of these sweet potato varieties are surprisingly delicious and can be enjoyed stir-fried or added to salads.
Preferred Support Structures: Sturdy trellis or fence due to the potential weight of vines.
Planting Tips: Unlike the vegetables previously mentioned, sweet potatoes are not grown from seeds. You’ll need to purchase starter plants or “slips” from a nursery. Plant these at the base of the support, ensuring a depth of about 2-3 inches. Sweet potatoes prefer warm temperatures and consistent moisture. Remember, you’re primarily harvesting the foliage for this climber, so focus on encouraging bushy growth by pinching off any flower buds that may appear.
Wrapping Up
Vertical gardening with climbing vegetables offers a multitude of benefits. It maximizes your growing space, allows for easier harvesting, and often improves plant health. The 13 vegetables we’ve explored – pole beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peas, melons, and more – are just a starting point. With a little planning and the right support structures, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious and nutritious vegetables all season long in your vertical garden.
We encourage you to experiment with vertical gardening and these fantastic climbing vegetables. Share your experiences and tips in the comments section below. Let’s create a community of enthusiastic vertical gardeners!