Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Constructing the stanchion frame
• Method 2 of 3: Installing a backup
• Method 3 of 3: Learning Cucumbers
• Video
• Tips
• What do you need

Cucumbers grow best if vertical growth is stimulated along with horizontal growth. However, cucumbers cannot curl and grow upward without some support. A prop is a structure that rises above cucumbers and similar plants, acting as a vertical support. The supports are fairly easy to build, and it is very easy to direct the growth of cucumbers to them.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Constructing the stanchion frame

1. 1 Choose two wooden poles or planks. Both battens should be 1.2 meters (4 feet) long with a 2.5 by 2.5 centimeters (1 by 1 inch) square.
2. 2 Use an electric drill to drill a 6 1/3 millimeter (1/4 inch) hole in each rail. The hole should be centered and 5 centimeters (2 inches) below the top of each piece.
3. 3 Place two slats flat on the ground. The holes should be opposite each other so that looking through them you can see the ground.
4. 4 Bolt the two slats loosely. The bolt should hold the two rails together, acting as a temporary rod.
5. 5 Spread the two slats so the bottom edges are 1 meter (3 feet) apart. Leave the slats flat on the ground.
6. 6 Tighten the nut securely on the bolt. The two slats should now be locked in place in an “A” shape, forming the first set of frame legs.
7. 7 Repeat the above steps with two other battens of the same dimensions. These two slats will make up another set of A-shaped legs.
8. 8 Set the legs in the shape “A” 1 1/4 meters (4 feet) apart. "A" should not lie on the ground or be parallel to it.Instead, "A" should be perpendicular to the ground, with one foot on the ground and the other pointing up and out.
9. 9 Attach another 1 1/4 meter (4 feet) rail at the top of both stands in an “A” shape. The fifth rail should connect the legs. Use a drill and strong bolts to hold them together.
10. 10 Attach another 1 1/4 meter (4 feet) batten about 15 1/4 centimeters (6 inches) lower than the top of your lower legs. The lower legs are the legs that are now on the ground. Use a drill and strong bolts to hold the structure together. This will be the top bar that you will attach the net to.
11. 11 Attach another 1 1/4 meter (4 feet) rail about 15 1/4 centimeters (6 inches) from the bottom of the lower legs. Use a drill and strong bolts to hold the structure together. This will be the bottom bar on which you will attach the net.
12. 12 Repeat the steps to install the top leg net rungs. The upper legs are the ones that are not touching the ground right now. Use a drill and sturdy bolts to secure the mesh crossbars to the legs.

Method 2 of 3: Installing a backup

1. 1 Place the stanchion frame over the cucumber patch. The A-shaped supports should be straight.
2. 2 Press the legs of the support firmly into the soil. You should try to submerge the bottom of each leg about 2.5 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) into the ground while keeping the top support bar parallel to the ground.
3. 3 Drive a 61 centimeters (2 feet) post into the ground next to one of the legs. Tie the leg and the post tightly together with a strong twine.
4. 4 Repeat hammering and tying with the other three legs. These posts provide additional stability to the support.
5. 5 Drive nails 2 1/5 centimeters (1 inch) long into the middle of each of the four net bars. There should be an equal distance of 15 centimeters (6 inches) between the nails. Do not hammer all the way into the bars.
6. 6 Tie a piece of laundry cord to each nail to form a net for the cucumbers to climb. Each cord should be about 1 meter (3 feet) long, with one piece of cord connecting two bolts on opposite rungs and extending parallel to the legs of the “A” post.
   • Thick twine or flexible wire can be used instead of a cord.

Method 3 of 3: Learning Cucumbers

1. 1 Plant the cucumbers under a support. The cucumbers can be planted 30 centimeters apart, in rows just below the bottom net bars.
2. 2 When the lashes have formed, wrap the tendrils around the bottom of the cord. You may need to wrap them several times before they stay in place.
3. 3 Continue wrapping the lashes around the string as they grow. By doing this, you "train" the cucumbers to grow upward and naturally climb onto the support. When the whips are 30cm or so in length, they will likely start climbing the props without additional help, but you should still watch the whole season.

Video

Video: Trellis Cucumbers

Tips

• You can hang on crossbars and square mesh netting. The grid with square cells is more difficult, but it can be easier to "teach" the lash of cucumbers to climb on it to the support.
• Instead of building your own prop, consider purchasing one online or from a garden supply store. They may also require partial assembly, but most likely minimal.
• For best results, do not plant bush cucumbers under the supports. Opt for climbing varieties instead. Shrub cucumbers may benefit from props, but the benefits are minimal compared to climbing varieties, and shrub cucumbers will not climb too high.

What do you need

• Electric drill
• Nine wooden slats 120 centimeters long, with a cross section of 30 by 30 centimeters
• Two 1/4 "by 4 1/2" bolts
• Two 1/4 "nuts
• Ten strong bolts
• Four wooden posts 60 centimeters each
• Twine or twine
• 28 screws, 30 centimeters each
• A hammer
• 14 pieces of linen cord, 90 centimeters long