Space Saving: Going up
Space is a premium in space gardens. If it's pots on the patio or in a suburban backyard, there's never enough room. Going up is a great way to grow! I have a several small backyard raised and border beds in my back yard. I love using inexpensive tomato cages to multiply my space.
These cucumbers two cucumber plants are thriving. Without the tomato cage moving them up instead of out, they would easily take up a quarter of the raised bed they are in. Cucumbers are natural climbers. They don't have the grip to go up walls and must be well supported. When I planted the seeds, I simply pushed the tomato cage in the soft dirt, centered over the small mound. As the plants grow you can gently move them up through the middle and over the top.
Not only is this a space saver, but it stops the common problem of "blossom end rot". It's devastating
to go check on the tiny veggies and find them turning yellow and dying where the blossom is still attached. Blossom rot can destroy the crop of beautiful squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. Causes of blossom rot include uneven moisture while the fruit is developing and watering from above. By using the tomato cage, you can heavily mulch the plants base and roots and easily water at the bottom. The same idea works in large pots on the patio. Make sure you are using large enough pots to give your plants plenty of room to grow, When in doubt, go for the larger pot!
These cucumbers two cucumber plants are thriving. Without the tomato cage moving them up instead of out, they would easily take up a quarter of the raised bed they are in. Cucumbers are natural climbers. They don't have the grip to go up walls and must be well supported. When I planted the seeds, I simply pushed the tomato cage in the soft dirt, centered over the small mound. As the plants grow you can gently move them up through the middle and over the top.Not only is this a space saver, but it stops the common problem of "blossom end rot". It's devastating
to go check on the tiny veggies and find them turning yellow and dying where the blossom is still attached. Blossom rot can destroy the crop of beautiful squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. Causes of blossom rot include uneven moisture while the fruit is developing and watering from above. By using the tomato cage, you can heavily mulch the plants base and roots and easily water at the bottom. The same idea works in large pots on the patio. Make sure you are using large enough pots to give your plants plenty of room to grow, When in doubt, go for the larger pot!
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