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...