Cucumber is a climbing plant, it requires a mandatory garter during flowering and yield to get maximum sunlight penetration. For this, a cucumber net is often used. The technique, recognized by many gardeners, has become popular and fully justifies itself. It is considered a guarantee of a clean, healthy and good harvest in the country!

Growing on a grid: advantages of the method

Using a net for garter cucumbers is durable, unlike DIY garter designs. It is easy to install and can be applied not only to cucumbers, but also to squash, peas, beans and beans and other climbing crops.

It allows more economical use of space in the greenhouse or on the ridge, gives good access to the crop, a neat look, improves the condition of the vegetable (does not allow cucumbers to rot). Cucumber stems on the net can be attached both horizontally and vertically, all the same, the branches will be neatly above the ground and will not allow the cucumber to get dirty from the ground or absorb moisture. Placing cucumber branches on a grid gives free open access to the crop.

Only durable materials are used for the structure, which speaks of its durability. The main advantage of growing vegetables in this way is an affordable price. Using a net is an inexpensive, easy-to-use cucumber care technique.

Cucumber net

Important! Thanks to her, the fruits are above the ground and are protected from pests (slugs, snails, mice) and diseases (powdery mildew).

How to choose a grid for cucumbers

Herringbone planting of cucumbers

To choose a support for cucumbers correctly, you need to take into account their variety and type of climbing shoots. Some varieties of cucumbers require a low stretch, while others, on the contrary, are high and wide. Farmers distinguish three types of nets that make the harvest better and easier to harvest:

  • plastic;
  • metal;
  • tapestry.

Plastic net

Made of high quality plastic with minimal wear and the ability to withstand not small loads. Convenient for use in greenhouses, it is quite a good support for cucumbers. When buying a plastic version, you need to consider the size of the cells. Best with a mesh width of at least 10 cm.

Metal grid

It is for a garter of cucumbers, if it is not a chain-link, it differs not only in its strength, but also in its cost. The material is of high quality, so its price is not low. In order to save money, most often it is replaced with a chain-link, but it is not as strong as the other two options (plastic and trellis) of the cucumber net, it can bend from a lot of weight and pressure. For its design, you will have to make more supports for cucumbers and a stronger frame or box.

Metal chain-link

Trellis net

It is more functional and reliable due to additional support, which allows it to withstand a larger volume. Any design of a trellis net can be made independently. This design can take any form:

  • Vertical. The form in which the net is stretched over a frame made of a metal profile, pipes, wooden posts, in the form of a frame;
  • Inclined. The mesh is stretched over a frame that is inclined at an angle. For structural strength, it is better to use additional crossbeams in width or support devices;
  • "A" -shaped shape.The structure is assembled in the form "A", on which cucumbers are seated on both sides and curl up;
  • Arched. A form that does not require small costs of si and time. It differs only in the beauty of the location of the plant, but in terms of functionality it is in no way inferior to other forms.

Often farmers for trellis construction use other materials at hand instead of a net (wooden slats, racks, wire, twine). Their use makes it possible to build an economical trellis net for cucumbers.

Another option for a trellis net for cucumbers would be a garden method for growing this vegetable. Here the cucumber sits not in the ground, but in a flowerpot in a garden or vegetable garden, which stands on a stand or is suspended from a fence, a wall, a tree, to the top in a greenhouse (a greenhouse for this made of polycarbonate will be more durable). With this type of planting cucumbers, they will sprout down, along a stretched cucumber net or ropes stretched from the flowerpot to the ground. It is also quite a convenient way of harvesting, which does not require special expenses (all you need to do is hang a flowerpot and pull the twine).

Cucumbers on a trellis

Installation of trellis mesh

How to germinate cucumber seeds

The cucumber trellis net is installed independently, without any effort. The main thing is to choose the right site in the garden for planting the plant and its location. The approximate height of the structure is about 80 cm, but this varies depending on the variety of plants and the size of the greenhouse (if the installation is inside a greenhouse).

Important! The trellis net should be installed from east to west, so that the penetration of light and solar heat is even for all branches and fruits.

To build a frame for cucumbers with your own hands you will need:

  • Support. Pillars (2 pcs.) From 1.5 to 1.8 meters high, which are dug in along the edges of the bed and serve as a support for the entire structure. For them, you can take wooden, metal or durable plastic posts;
  • Rail. It is used to secure the entire structure from above (it is mounted between two supports, thereby connecting them and making the entire trellis structure stronger);
  • Screws and screwdriver (screwdriver). For fixing the rail and support to each other;
  • Net (twine, wooden bars, thick rope). It depends on what the support for the cucumbers will be built from.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a trellis for cucumbers:

  1. Dig in the supporting pillars on the sides of the ridge with cucumbers;
  2. Put the net, previously deployed on the ground, on the rail, which secures the supports on top;
  3. Screw the rail with the grid with screws onto the supports from above, in the center of the future structure (a U-shaped shape is obtained);
  4. Straighten the net from top to bottom, tightening its supports with a rope or twine (you can use a wire). The net should be well taut so that it can hold its shape and weight.

If the do-it-yourself trellis for cucumbers has already been made, then there is a separate instruction for collecting it:

  1. A pillar support is dug in from the edges of the garden;
  2. In the center and vertically between the support, the slats are stuffed like a crate.

Such a do-it-yourself frame will be very durable, comfortable, cheap and harmless. For cucumbers, a lath made of slats is a very good and environmentally friendly option.

In the case when the ridge is large, and the trellis will also be of good length, the structure is reinforced with a rail in the center. Since just a stretched very long net under the weight of cucumbers can bend in the middle, and the rail in the center will give reinforcement.

Note! It is best when self-installing a trellis network made of rails or pipes, first draw a design drawing.

How to tie cucumbers on a trellis correctly (drawing)

Parthenocarpic cucumber variety: what is it

When the supports for cucumbers, both in the open field and in the greenhouse, are ready, the work is not finished yet. It is necessary to properly tie the cucumber bushes to the structure so that the crop has easy access and the shoots are not damaged. This will require a nylon thread or twine.

At the base of the bush, carefully tie a knot, but so that the shoot is not transmitted and does not block the access of oxygen and nutrients along the stem to the leaves and flowers.The rope is pulled neatly up the mesh and wrapped around the top rail and secured with a strong knot. At the same time, it is necessary that the stems of the cucumbers are not very taut (since they can come off when the crop appears), not pinched, not wrapped around the leaves (as it can damage them).

You can also use plastic kitchen clamps to attach the plant to the net. They neatly fasten long shoots to the net, but at the same time make sure that the stem is not pinched and the plant is not harmed.

Plastic kitchen clamps

The scheme for imposing shoots on the net is simple, the main thing is to properly tighten the knot on the plant stem, so as not to harm it and at the same time provide a good stretch. In case of fear, it is wrong to tie up the shoot and harm it, you can still direct the young stems upward along the net and carefully twist it, along which they will trail on their own, after which the already stronger ones can be attached with twine if necessary.

Additional information: In order to prevent plants from burning and drying out from exposure to sunlight, gardeners should think about a blackout mesh, for example, made of polycarbonate. You can install a special stand above the garden bed and hang a darkening structure on it.

Now it is clear how you can save space in the garden by using the method of growing cucumbers on a trellis net, how to install a net over the beds and properly tie cucumbers to it.