Climbing plants | 4Food

Date Published:: 18/10/2007

They're in the walls!

Where space on the ground is limited, make the most of your plot and think vertically.

Use walls and fences to quadruple the space for growing your own!

Runner beans, cucumbers and other climbing vegetables need generous support.

Thick galvanised wire stretched taut between 4-6cm 'eye' screws is the cheapest and most unobtrusive method.

How to plant climbers

Space each horizontal line about 15cm (6") apart and tie in early shoots with string or raffia, then the plant should climb up unaided.

Look in the hardware section of your local garden centre for all the necessary bits.

Although wooden trellis is an expensive option, used cleverly it can enhance a garden, screen ugly eyesores and divide a long space up into different rooms.

For sleek contemporary designs, try metal trellis rather than traditional wooden ones.

Whatever you choose, fix it securely using rawl bolts, heavy-duty rawl plugs, or study screws - a mature climber laden with fruit can be a heavy beast.

How to grow climbers

To get climbers off to the best start prepare the soil well before planting.

First, remove any weeds and rubbish before digging in a bucketful of compost.

Break down large clods of soil as you go; you want a finish which resembles a mix of marbles and breadcrumbs.

Sprinkle on a little slow-release fertiliser like Growmore and rake the area level.

Tempting as it may be, don't plant tight to the boundary - walls and fences cast a 'rain shadow' on the soil directly beneath which subsequently stays dry.

So, pick a spot at least 20cm (8") away, dig a hole slightly bigger than the container, pop the plant in, backfill and firm around it gently with your hands. Water in well.

As the plant establishes, train it by hand back towards the wall or fence. Once it's got a toehold on the support, simply tuck wayward shoots back in as it climbs.