trellis questions

As a newbie, I have a question about spacing for my trellis vegetables. One of my gardens has two runs that are two feet wide by 8 feet long. Do I need to space a non-climbing square in between each of my climbing plants? I will be planting peas, cucumbers, tomatoes and beans. Should I place vegetables like peppers, or herbs in between each climbing plant so as not to overload my trellis?

Also, I had to run chicken wire around my garden (I decided not to feed the plethora of rabbits, possums, armadillos and raccoons). The posts I used to support the chicken wire is tall enough for me to build a trellis. Can I use another run of chicken wire, or should I use netting or another alternative material for the rest of the trellis? I have had difficulty finding the nylon netting that Mel recommends at Lowes and Home Depot. The chicken wire is two feet tall. If it makes a difference, I will have watermelon and cantaloupe on each end.

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Here is the netting someone linked me to... http://www.leevalley.com/US/garden/page.aspx?p=51218&cat=2,33286&ap=1

I have been lazy and haven't ordered any yet. But, this is what I am going to try this year.

As for spacing and such, I am no expert. But, with the melons, I would space them or get ready for some extra support if I were growing alot of them in the same beds. However, I would plant peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes with impunity.

Spacing with peppers and beans is likely fine, and may add a dimension of beauty, but I don't think maters and peas will overload your trellises. The question may become....will my peppers and beans get enough light between climbers?

You can find netting at:

http://www.burpee.com/gardening-supplies/garden-growers/supports-ties-and-fences/garden-trellis-prod001220.html?catId=3052&trail=

Hank

thebaums wrote:As a newbie, I have a question about spacing for my trellis vegetables. One of my gardens has two runs that are two feet wide by 8 feet long. Do I need to space a non-climbing square in between each of my climbing plants? I will be planting peas, cucumbers, tomatoes and beans. Should I place vegetables like peppers, or herbs in between each climbing plant so as not to overload my trellis?

Also, I had to run chicken wire around my garden (I decided not to feed the plethora of rabbits, possums, armadillos and raccoons). The posts I used to support the chicken wire is tall enough for me to build a trellis. Can I use another run of chicken wire, or should I use netting or another alternative material for the rest of the trellis? I have had difficulty finding the nylon netting that Mel recommends at Lowes and Home Depot. The chicken wire is two feet tall. If it makes a difference, I will have watermelon and cantaloupe on each end.

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

I wouldn't use chicken wire to support the plants. For one thing, the holes are too small. You really want to be able to reach in the holes to harvest your veggies. Also, the chicken wire may dent or squish any fruit that grows into the holes.

I found some nylon trellis material with 6 inch squares at my local WalMart for about $10 last year. I forgot how long it was

I bought this one at Home Depot:

http://www.amazon.com/Dalen-Gardeneer-15-Foot-Trellis-TP-15C/dp/B0015IK3NA

Glendale-Gardener, what do you attach the netting to? Are you using pvc, wood, electrical tubing??

I am going to disassemble some old tomato or cucumber cages that were made from 4"x4" concrete mesh. That gets you around the small size of chicken wire openings. fiddleman posted a great idea at. https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t5903-cucumber-trellis-idea Well worth checking out as are several youtube videos about growing and pruning techniques for maximizing trellis harvest in particular with tomatoes and squash.