Sometimes aggravation is the mother of invention. I have been gardening for over 10 years and really enjoy taking on new challenges such as growing pumpkins, squashes, watermelons and other vining fruits and vegetables. However, like everyone else, I am limited in space and got tired of stepping over my vines and watching my hard earned vegetables rot on the ground. Or worse yet, watch the wildlife eat them. (Have you been there?) So, I decided to grow vertically using cattle panels.
How am I going to grow vertically?
Just because I made the decision to grow vertically doesn’t mean I knew instantly how to do it. Of course, I turned to my go to source, YouTube.
I found a ton of information but unfortunately found it confusing. The videos didn’t specify what tools to use and the authors didn’t reply to my questions.
So, I decided to use cattle panels since it was the cheapest and strongest alternative to grow my vines vertically. I can’t tell you how many times we stared at the hardware aisle in Home Depot looking for the right tools to secure the trellis.
Did I mention, we couldn’t even figure out how to get the panels home!
Like everything in gardening, there is a learning curve.
The first year of vertical gardening I made a ton of mistakes and over estimated how fast the vines grew. The second year, I picked up more tricks. By the third year, I got much more confident and tried growing more vining plants.
I even tried to grow a tomato on a single stem up the trellis. (By the way, it works!)
Since I started I have grown:
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Morning Glory
- Zucchini
- All different types of pumpkins and squashes (including spaghetti squash.)
- Peas
- Green Beans (PS any bean will trellis even the bush beans.)
- Lufa
- Tomato
- nasturtiums
If it trails, you can grow it.
What did I notice from vertical gardening?
- The animals weren’t eating my veggies since that were not laying on the ground. I was using panty hose to protect them.
- I didn’t lose fruit or veggies from rotting since they no longer laid on the ground
- I could control the squash vine borer better since I didn’t have to hunt through all the different vines to see where those buggers were. (Um, I destroyed a ton of squash bug eggs as well.)
- I was much more productive in my yields since I had a better view of the vines.
- I didn’t accidentally step on the vines as much. You can step on them when you trellis if you don’t watch how fast they grow.
- My skin wasn’t torn up from the vines when I was constantly checking the leaves. I get a squash dermatitis.
- My garden was neater. I can’t work in chaos.
- And the list goes on.
Learn how to grow vertically without the learning curve:
So, I decided to create an e-course with six video modules on how to grow vertically using cattle panels.
Realize, you don’t have to use cattle panels. I like them since they are cheap and don’t rust. You can use a chain link fence too.
Before I explain the course, bear in mind it is for gardeners who grow their vegetables and fruits in the ground or raised beds. It isn’t for container gardeners.
What’s in the course:
The six modules consist of :
- Module 1: The Benefits of Using Trellises
- Module 2: How to Install a Trellis Properly and the proper tools to use.
- Module 3: Several Different Trellis Configurations
- Module 4: Different Types of Vegetable Support for the Trellis
and Best Practices When Using Supports - Module 5: Go Through a Grow Season with Me.
- Module 6: Troubleshooting Problems When Growing Vertically
- Two Bonuses: 2 Group Telephone Conferences with Me.
The course is on its own website where you can access the videos and content anytime of the day.
Each video has multiple subsections focusing on a key concept within the module.
So, I ask you.
Why struggle with your garden?
To learn more go HERE. Once you go vertical, you will never grow conventionally again.
Andrea Fabry says
May 17, 2016 at 9:24 amThis is fantastic, Anna. I know nothing about growing vertically. Such a practical, helpful course.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:51 amAndrea, thanks. I think people don’t even think about growing vertically. Anna
Megan Stevens says
May 17, 2016 at 9:48 amI love this topic and appreciate your course! I think vertical gardens are also so beautiful visually.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:51 amMegan, I agree. I find gardening so much easier since I went vertical. Anna
linda spiker says
May 17, 2016 at 10:00 amGrowing vertically is so great for those of us with tiny yards!
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:50 amLinda, one of the reasons I created the course. Small gardens could double their production. Anna
The Food Hunter says
May 17, 2016 at 10:40 amThis is very helpful…we are getting ready to plant soon!
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:49 amThe Food Hunter, you would really enjoy this method. Anna
Tash says
May 17, 2016 at 12:29 pmI’ve used this method for passion fruit before and it worked out REALLY well. We couldn’t eat them fast enough!
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:50 amGreat idea for passion fruit. It works great for any vine. Anna
Javi gil says
May 17, 2016 at 3:53 pmI’ve done vertical garden in the past. I am using a couple of heavy duty wire fence sections instead of cattle panels. We have a lot of rabbits around here. So this year I am growing some zucchini and cantaloupe using the wire fence.
I have to plant 90 tomato plants in the next couple of days. Fun, fun, fun.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:48 amI used the cattle panels since they don’t rust and are easier to work with. Wire fencing works too. I talk about that in the course. Anna
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
May 17, 2016 at 10:36 pmI love what you’re doing! Thank you for sharing with us how doable it is. I especially love that you’re growing nasturtiums. They have been a favorite of mine since childhood. I love the way they taste.
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:47 amEmily, thanks. Nasturtiums are one of my favorites.
EA Stewart says
May 17, 2016 at 11:47 pmThis looks like a great course! I’m so impressed with anyone who gardens, let alone grows all their own veggies. I have a rooftop garden that is sorely neglected, but hopefully w/ summer quickly approaching I’ll be able to get back to it 🙂
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:47 amEA, I just want to make it easier for people. Anna
Carol@studiobotanica says
May 18, 2016 at 9:50 amWHAT A GREAT IDEA! I AM SURE THAT YOUR COURSE WILL BE SO WELL RECEIVED AS THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS TO GARDENING THIS WAY AND YOUR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS WILL MAKE IT VERY DO-ABLE!
CONGRATS ON CREATION OF SUCH A HELPFUL COURSE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE!!! THANKS!!
Anna@Green Talk says
May 18, 2016 at 10:46 amCarol, thanks. I love gardening vertical!
Susan@learningandyearning.com says
May 25, 2016 at 10:58 amYour idea for securing the panels into the ground is so simple but effective!
Anna@Green Talk says
May 25, 2016 at 1:28 pmSusan, a hidden secret in the course! Thanks for the comment. Anna
Wanda Sturrock says
June 12, 2016 at 9:29 pmAnna, thank you so much for coming up with this course! I have thrown the idea of vertical gardening using cattle panels, for both flowers and vegetables, around for some time. But, with my hands full already, I never got around to actually doing it. What a blessing to have someone smooth out some of the rough spots for me before I start.
Anna@Green Talk says
June 12, 2016 at 9:41 pmThanks Wanda! I am glad you enjoyed the course.
kara says
November 6, 2016 at 6:40 amhi there- this course looks great, is it in US dollars? also, does it give info on the amount of
spacing between plants etc> thank you!
Anna@Green Talk says
November 6, 2016 at 10:17 amKara, yes it is in US dollars and yes it gives spacing requirements depending on what you are growing. I use cattle panels for the vertical gardening because they are the cheapest and sturdiest. Anna