How to Make Zucchini Climb a Fence

Zucchini can be trained to climb a fence.

Vertical gardening is a great way to conserve garden space, grow vining vegetables and decorate a fence, all at the same time. Cucurbit vegetables such as cucumbers, squash and zucchini can sprawl as far as 25 feet, according to Washington State University, but can easily be trained to climb any type of support. Prepare the soil near a fence that has plenty of sun exposure and that allows light to penetrate through its latticework for best results.

Things You'll Need

• Peat
• Organic compost
• Shovel
• Plant ties
• Old pantyhose

Instructions

1. Cultivate a cubic foot of soil at the fence line in late May for each zucchini you want to plant. Turn the soil with a shovel, adding equal parts peat and organic compost for a deep, rich mix. Moisten the soil thoroughly after cultivation.

2. Set 6-inch zucchini plants in the soil, leaving the root crown even with the soil line. Tamp the soil down with your fingers to make firm contact of soil with roots. Water thoroughly after planting.

3. Train the zucchini plants to the fence starting when their vines are 12 inches long. Slip a plant tie through the lattice of the fence, bring both ends in front of the stem and gently twist it. Leave enough slack in the loop to allow the stem to flex slightly with air movement and allow for the stem to expand.

4. Continue training each stem to climb up instead of dangling toward the ground. This process will go on over the course of the summer. Watch for flowers, then fruits to develop.

5. Create a sling for the developing zucchinis when they are 3 inches long. Cut a section from an old pair of pantyhose with a pair of scissors. Tie it loosely through the latticework of the fence, creating a loop. Set the zucchini in the loop to hold its growing weight, and it will not break the stem.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have old pantyhose, tear an old pillowcase into strips to get the same results.

• Keep an eye on the plant ties, especially later in the growing season. Loosen and retie whenever necessary to prevent the tie from cutting through the stem as the plant grows and expands.

References

• University of Nebraska Lincoln: Vegetables as Ornamentals
• Washington State University: Vertical Gardening
• University of Minnesota Extension: Growing Zucchini and Summer Squash

Resources

• Colorado State University: Vegetable Gardening in Containers