trellis position question

jazzymaddy 2/10/2012, 8:06 am

Hi all. Rounding into my second year, and looking at my second box. I am planning to do a 2x8 trellis box, with the 2 foot part facing north. So that would put my trellis on the west side, which I know is not recommended. But my thinking is that I would have all my vertical growth on the trellis, and the box in front of it would be for plants that enjoy partial shade or a little cooler temps. Of course, this spot in my yard gets full sun all day, so it would get direct sun for at least 4-5 hours, then filtered light once the trellis stuff is full grown.

Shoot holes in my idea. It looks to me that it would work, but I want it to work REALLY well, and need your opinions. Also, I'm thinking of putting my carrots, broccoli, lettuce and strawberries there. Are those good ones for the partial shade?

Thanks friends.
Tracy in SC

javaaddict 2/16/2012, 1:29 pm

I'm considering the same concept, and facing my long side with the trellis toward the west. It might work for you! Mine will be close to a neighbor's fence, and about 45 minutes after the sun moves that way the house behind me will totally shade that area anyway. It can't really be helped. Are you in a place where you can grow cool weather crops throughout the summer (ie lettuce?). If not maybe you can put some other things there. I have always had great luck growing basil in partial shade. It would be good company for your tomatoes. I bet green beans could handle some shade too.

jazzymaddy 2/16/2012, 3:56 pm

Thanks for your response! I have quite a hot summer, but it's long, so I can kind of break it up into two. I.e. finish harvesting in July, then plant again in August for another harvest before frost. Or at least that's what some garden planning software is recommending for me. I almost sounded like I knew what I was talking about for a second there...

quiltbea 2/16/2012, 4:13 pm

With you in SC I think that will work. I put some staked tomatoes on my west side last year due to space issues, and they did just fine and I'm in Maine where its not as hot. Maybe someone from the south will check in and give you better info.

elliephant 2/17/2012, 3:04 pm

Down where I am I don't pay one bit of attention to what direction my trellis faces. Shade is good. And most of mine are up against a fence anyway, lol. I say try it and see!

Glendale-gardener 2/17/2012, 3:10 pm

I had my trellis on the East side of my boxes and worked just fine for me. I had made sure that the tallest non-trellised plants like brussel sprouts were still on the North side of the boxes so they didn't shade the rest of the box.

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