Search
Latest topics
» Onions. Walk on?by OhioGardener Today at 9:25 am
» Bokashi
by OhioGardener Today at 8:13 am
» New to SFG and in Virgina
by sanderson Today at 1:38 am
» Compost bins: Open vs. closed
by Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 10:38 am
» Recommended store bought compost - Photos of composts
by sanderson 3/26/2024, 5:56 pm
» 6 metal trellis frames
by docachna 3/25/2024, 4:31 pm
» N & C Midwest: March and April 2024
by Scorpio Rising 3/24/2024, 3:01 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 3/24/2024, 1:28 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by OhioGardener 3/23/2024, 6:02 pm
» Joann's fabric bankruptcy
by neefer 3/23/2024, 12:33 am
» New gardener from Santa Fe NM
by CantersVary 3/22/2024, 7:50 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie 3/22/2024, 5:07 pm
» Heat Mat Temperature Test
by OhioGardener 3/22/2024, 2:09 pm
» Victory Garden Reboot
by Scorpio Rising 3/22/2024, 11:53 am
» Mark's first SFG
by sanderson 3/22/2024, 11:43 am
» Commercial (bagged or bulk) compost question
by Mikesgardn 3/21/2024, 7:09 pm
» Think Spring 2024
by Scorpio Rising 3/20/2024, 10:34 am
» Fire Ring / Round Raised Bed Planter
by sanderson 3/19/2024, 4:51 pm
» Galvanized Fire Ring for Rhubarb Raised Beds?
by OhioGardener 3/18/2024, 10:34 am
» Happy St. Patrick's Day
by Scorpio Rising 3/17/2024, 5:54 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by Scorpio Rising 3/11/2024, 10:28 am
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by Scorpio Rising 3/10/2024, 8:38 pm
» Why I love Oregano in the garden.
by OhioGardener 3/10/2024, 8:16 am
» Comfrey
by OhioGardener 3/9/2024, 6:07 pm
» Sealing Barrels Flowers Struggling-Need Ideas
by Turan 3/9/2024, 3:09 pm
» Hello again from a slightly different part of Central PA!
by sanderson 3/9/2024, 1:46 pm
» Chicken manure compost
by Oopsiedaisy 3/8/2024, 7:56 pm
» Chinese Broccoli
by sanderson 3/7/2024, 10:28 pm
» Heat Mat Lifespan
by Scorpio Rising 3/7/2024, 9:33 am
» Now is The Time To Take Seed Inventory
by OhioGardener 3/6/2024, 4:36 pm
Google
Trellis vs Staking
+6
AtlantaMarie
sanderson
yolos
camprn
donnainzone5
BigTerp
10 posters
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Trellis vs Staking
I already have my material to make a 5' tall trellis out of conduit and nylon string. I'm planning to put this behind the north side of my 4 x 4 SFG to support peas, beans and tomatoes. Peas and beans seem simple enough to grow up a trellis, but what about tomatoes? For my tomatoes I'm planning on doing the single or double vine pruning method to save space and allow me one tomato plant per square. As they grow and I prune I plan to tie the vines to my nylon trellis. Wondering if that is the best way, or would tying the tomato plant vines to a stake work better? Thanks!!!
BigTerp- Posts : 46
Join date : 2015-03-03
Location : West Virginia
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I've never tied my tomato plants to a trellis; I simply weave them into the netting.
Wishing you a fabulous tomato harvest!
Wishing you a fabulous tomato harvest!
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Thanks!!
But you still use the trellis? Instead of tying the vines to it, you simply weave the vines in and out of the nylon string as it grows?
But you still use the trellis? Instead of tying the vines to it, you simply weave the vines in and out of the nylon string as it grows?
BigTerp- Posts : 46
Join date : 2015-03-03
Location : West Virginia
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Yes, I weave the growing tomatoes through the netting.
So far, I've purchased the nylon netting only from the SFG Foundation, and it lasts and lasts! Also, it's strong enough to hold winter squash and smallish pumpkins.
So far, I've purchased the nylon netting only from the SFG Foundation, and it lasts and lasts! Also, it's strong enough to hold winter squash and smallish pumpkins.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Thanks again!!
I'm also planning on trying to stake a zucchini plant in a single square. I think it will be quite the challenge, but my wife loves zucchini, so I'm going to give it a go!!
Are you familiar with growing pole beans? My trellis is only going to be 4-5' tall, not sure that is tall enough for beans? Should be OK for my peas and tomatoes though. I might just trade in my 5' conduit for 10' and be done with it.
I'm also planning on trying to stake a zucchini plant in a single square. I think it will be quite the challenge, but my wife loves zucchini, so I'm going to give it a go!!
Are you familiar with growing pole beans? My trellis is only going to be 4-5' tall, not sure that is tall enough for beans? Should be OK for my peas and tomatoes though. I might just trade in my 5' conduit for 10' and be done with it.
BigTerp- Posts : 46
Join date : 2015-03-03
Location : West Virginia
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I haven't really tried to grow a zucchini vertically--although one year I did remove the lower leaves and staked one. It didn't grow tall, but survived and produced a zuke or two. Give it a try, though. Another idea is to plant bush squash at the corner of a bed, allowing it to spill over into the adjacent space.
Beans? Always! I still have a couple of one-gallon bags in the freezer from last summer.
My trellises are only 5', but I've read that once the they reach that height, you can double them back toward the ground on the other side. I did train a few tendrils that way in August.
Beans? Always! I still have a couple of one-gallon bags in the freezer from last summer.
My trellises are only 5', but I've read that once the they reach that height, you can double them back toward the ground on the other side. I did train a few tendrils that way in August.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I usually plant tomato plants 1.5-2 feet apart. They are heavy feeders and need good roots to grow and produce well. With indeterminate tomato plants I trellis them, using Florida weave method. Works like a charm. Determinates I usually just use stakes, but Florida weave would work on them as well.BigTerp wrote:For my tomatoes I'm planning on doing the single or double vine pruning method to save space and allow me one tomato plant per square. As they grow and I prune I plan to tie the vines to my nylon trellis. Wondering if that is the best way, or would tying the tomato plant vines to a stake work better? Thanks!!!
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Why isn't the trellis going to be taller? I buy the 10' conduit and cut it to my needs. I have my rattlesnake pole beans do well on a trellis at least 6 feet tall.BigTerp wrote:Thanks again!!
I'm also planning on trying to stake a zucchini plant in a single square. I think it will be quite the challenge, but my wife loves zucchini, so I'm going to give it a go!!
Are you familiar with growing pole beans? My trellis is only going to be 4-5' tall, not sure that is tall enough for beans? Should be OK for my peas and tomatoes though. I might just trade in my 5' conduit for 10' and be done with it.
Staked zucchini, is not ideal, as it is not really a vining plant. It will need more that a foot square of space above the bed.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Trellis vs Staking
My rattlesnake beans grew up an 8' trellis and started to grow across the isle to the adjacent trellis. So it all depends on the variety you choose to grow. See the picture in my avatar.
yolos- Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 74
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Thanks for all the replies!! Getting things more squared away in my head now. Just need all this snow to melt/stop falling and the ground to thaw sooner than later!!
BigTerp- Posts : 46
Join date : 2015-03-03
Location : West Virginia
Re: Trellis vs Staking
BigTerp, You've gotten some good replies from experience gardeners. In the ANSFG book, Mel shows how to make an easy beginner's trellis with 5" EMC metal with a net trellis. The folks here are giving advice from experience, pole beans and peas will welcome a higher one, like 8'. The 5' will not go to waste, though! You can tie indeterminate tomatoes to it or do a Florida weave trellis between them for 2- or 3-stem determinate tomatoes. From my experience, zucchini in a corner square and allowing it to fall out of the box is probably the best way to go, space-wise. I do grow them in pots, also, with a short tomato cage to guide them vertically, but that is because of my small back yard and sun availability.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Thanks again!! I'm thinking I'll go ahead and get 2 10' sections of conduit to I can raise my trellis and have enough room for anything I plan to grow. I'm actually planning on making the "indestructible tomato trellis" for my peas, beans and tomatoes. Sorry, forum won't let me post links yet, but you can Google it if your interested.
As far as the zucchini goes, I may have to rethink it. Don't want to end up with a giant mess and crowding of my other squares.
As far as the zucchini goes, I may have to rethink it. Don't want to end up with a giant mess and crowding of my other squares.
BigTerp- Posts : 46
Join date : 2015-03-03
Location : West Virginia
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I know, each square is so precious!BigTerp wrote: As far as the zucchini goes, I may have to rethink it. Don't want to end up with a giant mess and crowding of my other squares.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Hi BigTerp. Welcome to the forum from Atlanta, GA. Sorry I missed you earlier...
We put up 10' conduit. My beans reached the top & then some.
And, yes, your zuke will take up more than a square. (Ask me how I know... It was not a happy camper & was very prone to powdery mildew as a result of the crowding.)
We put up 10' conduit. My beans reached the top & then some.
And, yes, your zuke will take up more than a square. (Ask me how I know... It was not a happy camper & was very prone to powdery mildew as a result of the crowding.)
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I planted a zucchini in 1 square. let it grow off the bed, I had to remove it because it took up so much room I wasn't able to get to the adjacent bed.
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Zucchini problem
I'm pretty new to the SFG thing, but aren't you supposed to give Zucchini's 2sq. ft/ plant b/c they are so big? I can see how you would run out of room if you only gave them 1, but if they have 2 wouldn't that be enough? I'm mainly asking b/c I was planning on planting them on my trellis, along with tomatoes and peas.
akolcharno- Posts : 2
Join date : 2015-04-15
Location : St. Louis
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Zucchini will not effectively grow up a trellis. They would do better by themselves at the edge of a bed or left to sprawl in a bed of their own.akolcharno wrote:I'm pretty new to the SFG thing, but aren't you supposed to give Zucchini's 2sq. ft/ plant b/c they are so big? I can see how you would run out of room if you only gave them 1, but if they have 2 wouldn't that be enough? I'm mainly asking b/c I was planning on planting them on my trellis, along with tomatoes and peas.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Trellis vs Staking
If traditionally planted, zucchini can take up 9 square feet. Or, I suspect, more. I've successfully planted them at the border of TWO squares, and let them spill over the sides of the box. However, I always do so at the end of the beds so that they don't obstruct pathways or bar access to other beds.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
photo from the web of a healthy full grown zuke plant.
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I wouldn't let zucchini plant stay in my SFG bed..the one I planted on used 1 square for the stem, then grew overboard.
You could trellis them, however that's a lot of weight,.
You could trellis them, however that's a lot of weight,.
jimmy cee
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 2215
Join date : 2013-02-16
Age : 88
Location : Hatfield PA. zone 6b
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Camp, Is that zucchini photo like a big fish photo? With the guy holding the fish way out in front of him? But, point made. Summer squash need room for their leaves and sprawl.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I wasn't sure whether to post this here or on the Tomato Tuesday thread, but it's Thursday so...
Does anyone have any experience with spiral tomato stakes?
I found them for $2 each at a nearby dollar store (they are five for $25 at Lee Valley, so I figure this is a good chance to try them).
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Does anyone have any experience with spiral tomato stakes?
I found them for $2 each at a nearby dollar store (they are five for $25 at Lee Valley, so I figure this is a good chance to try them).
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
FRED58- Posts : 170
Join date : 2015-03-25
Age : 65
Location : Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Fred, I've used these intermittently, but mostly for cukes.
They may also work for tomatoes, but I prefer something more supportive, such as the trellis netting from the Foundation.
Another factor to consider is that most of our beds are only 6" deep, and inserting these spirals through the weed cloth may invite weeds. Those 6" of Mel's Mix are so loose and friable that they won't reliably support a heavily fruiting tomato vine.
However, you might want to insert these more deeply into regular soil just outside your raised beds and train/prune your tomato plants accordingly.
They may also work for tomatoes, but I prefer something more supportive, such as the trellis netting from the Foundation.
Another factor to consider is that most of our beds are only 6" deep, and inserting these spirals through the weed cloth may invite weeds. Those 6" of Mel's Mix are so loose and friable that they won't reliably support a heavily fruiting tomato vine.
However, you might want to insert these more deeply into regular soil just outside your raised beds and train/prune your tomato plants accordingly.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
Fred, How tall are they?
Donna, Good idea to put them in the dirt right outside the box.
Donna, Good idea to put them in the dirt right outside the box.
Re: Trellis vs Staking
I didn't think about the holes in the weedcloth. They are five feet long which up here is about as tall as I have ever seen a tomato plant. (even with a foot or so in the ground).
I am going to try a few placed outside the box and some in a conventional garden space. I'll report back in a couple of months.
I am going to try a few placed outside the box and some in a conventional garden space. I'll report back in a couple of months.
FRED58- Posts : 170
Join date : 2015-03-25
Age : 65
Location : Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Page 1 of 2
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|