Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice as my first year of gardening didn't go as planned. We had some major issues that I want to tackle before next season. For trellising, we initially used six-foot spiral stakes for our indeterminate tomatoes, but they weren't tall enough and everything ended up falling over. I'm thinking of switching to 10-foot PVC pipes to create an upside-down U frame. Any recommendations for the type of mesh or support for cucumbers? I also want to use twine and clips for the tomatoes to better support them.
As for sweet potatoes, they spread everywhere and I'm unsure how to manage their growth. Additionally, we didn't fertilize this year at all and just planted seedlings directly into Kellogg Organic Raised Bed Soil. Next year, I'd like to use an organic foliar spray that's easy to apply. Any product suggestions? I'll also be using compost from my city's free program once the season ends. Any tips or experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Forget the mesh for cucumbers! I recommend using a conduit pipe for a simple raised bed trellis; it works amazing for both cucumbers and tomatoes. You can also use bailer’s twine for durability. Regarding sweet potatoes, I’ve experienced similar issues! They can overtake the garden if not managed. I’d suggest planting them in a separate space or training their vines vertically—I heard that contributes to better tuber growth. Oh, and topping your soil with organic compost next year should do wonders for your garden, no need for extra purchases.
If you're set on the PVC idea, remember that regular PVC doesn’t bend well for a climber. Try using electrical PVC conduit instead—it's more flexible. Also, I’ve found cattle panels to be a fantastic option for trellising; they’re affordable and sturdy for climbing plants. They allow great sunlight for lower plants too, just remember your spacing!
You mentioned root-bound seedlings, right? That could also be part of the stunted growth. I cut the sides and bottoms off of root-bound plants and it made a big difference! Also, if you’re looking for an easy organic option next year, check out Jadam's methods—they're all about free and natural solutions for gardening!
For your tomatoes and cucumbers, have you thought about string trellising? I used it for my indeterminate cherries and it works great! I recommend using stronger 5-ply twine instead of the 3-ply, which sometimes got soggy. I just wrap the twine around the main branches and it holds everything up. Plus, when the season's over, it’s super easy to compost everything.
As for mesh, you might find it easier to just use strings instead. And remember, if you’re concerned about cutting vines, consider a trellis design that allows for easy disposal at the end of the season. Happy gardening!
Thanks for the tip! I hadn’t considered the ease of composting. I might just give string trellising a go—do you think 8 feet will be tall enough?
Totally second the conduit pipe approach—I had great success with tomatoes on it in past seasons!