Trellis

[longwinters]

To gain a little more "dirt space" I've decided to use a trellis for my cukes.  I prefer a more rustic look, but live in town and so even "rustic" needs to look good.  So I bought a deck rail (3' x 5')(looks like a ladder), screwed a couple of 2"x2"'s on the back for braces and it looks ok.  So for $32.00 I'll be happy and the neighborhood will be happy as I'm the only one around that has turned their back yard into a "farm" as some would say....
 
Gotta get outside and cover the asparagus since we're supposed to get 2-4" of snow tonight 
 
Long

[bilmac]

I need trellises for beans, peas and cucs. I've tried Russian climbers that I didn't like last year. They matured overnight, and were short and fat. Year before I grew Japanese climbers and they were good.
 
I've been making my trellises with four 2X4s bolted at the corners and wire like 2X4 welded mesh stapeled in. I thought about bracing and decided the wire would provide all the bracing I need, and I want them as light as I can make them. Tie them to a couple T posts and I'm good for the season.

[chefjeff]

We put our cukes in big 'mater cages. Works well.

[longwinters]

My tomatoes are staked. Never did that on the farm, just put down straw and let em go.  So I use 6' metal fence posts and tie em as they grow.
 
Long

[streak]

My tomatoes are staked. Never did that on the farm, just put down straw and let em go.  So I use 6' metal fence posts and tie em as they grow.
 
Long

Now that`s using the old noodle!!

[longwinters]

It's the difference between having a 3 acre garden on the farm and having two 4' x 16' raised beds for my tomatoes now.
 
Long

[streak]

It's the difference between having a 3 acre garden on the farm and having two 4' x 16' raised beds for my tomatoes now.
 
Long

I got to hurry up and retire so I can get back into my gardening again! What type of tomatoes do you raise in that type of climate??

[longwinters]

I have varied over the years but typically now I plant a few Early Girls (52 days) and Whopper Improved (about 65 days).  I've tried determinent vs indeterminent and like I said probably 10 other tomato types.  Celebrity has also done well by me in a warmer summer.  I want tomatoes that do not have green shoulders, and are smooth (without the creases on the top).  I tie the plants up with a garden velcro that will last a couple of years.  I've tried the plastic ribbon stuff, strips of cloth etc..and never cared for the results as the velcro is so much easier.
 
Long

[streak]

A t present living in Colorado, but when I was growing up in N.W. Louisiana, I used to help my daddy plant the garden and stake out the tomatoe plants. Some varieties that he raised were Marglo( SP)?, Texas Beef Steak, and others, along with cherry tomatoes. Those Texas Beef Steak were something to behold! Some were so big and round that one slice out of one would almost cover a normal dinner plate and were very tasty! Tomatoes are a favorite food of mine!
On the Beef Steak tomatoes I stayed busy keeping the branches off of the main plant propped up to hold those big sapsuckers!!

[plumberroy]

never mind

[lakota]

My old neighbor used to have a section of 6 ft tall chain link fence in his garden for growing cukes on.

[bilmac]

Chain link might work pretty good.
 
Another good ready made trellis is the commercial hog panels. The welded panels are made of about 1/4 inch heavily galvanized rod. A little heavy, and I think they are 20' but could be cut to 10 to make them managable. They would last a lifetime with zero maintenance.