Container Gardening Complete

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 160 5/24/17 12:16 PM
Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 161 5/24/17 12:16 PM

160 chapter 3

Support Options

When selecting the appropriate stake, cage,

or trellis system for container-grown plants,

vegetables in particular, there are several things to

keep in mind:

• Veggies that produce heavy fruits, such as
  beefsteak tomatoes, full-sized eggplants, and
  bell peppers, will no doubt need to rely on a
  1x1 hardwood stake, a metal tomato cage,
  a teepee, or some other staking system for
  support. Their stems don’t grip the staking
  system as vine crops do, so you must fasten
  the plant to them.

There’s no need to build a trellis when one’s already in

place. Use existing fences, arbors, and even window

bars as support structures for climbing container

plants. These hyacinth beans (Lablab purpureus) and

morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) are quite happy

to cling to whatever they can.

Upcycled trellises are perfect for container gardens.

Here, the skeleton of an old patio umbrella is soon to

be covered with pea vines.

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Caring for Your Containers 161

• Twining crops such as pole and runner beans
  and malabar spinach (Basella alba), have
  twining stems that coil around their support
  system. These plants look great growing up
  just about anything they can wrap themselves
  around, including hardwood stakes, tree
  branches, sunflower stalks, bamboo poles,
  teepee legs, and the like.
  
  
  • Vining crops with tendrils growing off their
    main stems will grow up and over just about
    anything. Cucumbers, winter squash, gourds,
    pumpkins, peas, and melons produce small
    tendrils at their leaf nodes, and will easily
    grow up anything from chicken wire and
    chain link fencing, to nylon garden netting
    and hardware cloth. To keep them under
    control, you’ll need a very sturdy trellis.
  
  
  
  

Repurposed household items also make great garden

trellises. Keep your eyes peeled for things like closet

organizers, wire shelving units, and store displays, all

of which are easily transformed into vertical supports

for container plants.

A simple arch of cattle fencing makes an excellent

support for flowering vines and climbing veggies.

Extend the arch between two containers to make a

unique arbor over a walkway or gate.

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