Building a Vertical Frame for a Raised Bed

Also all plants that vine (cucumbers, peas, squash, vine beans and vine tomatoes) are grown using a vertical frame at the end of the raised bed (which saves a tremendous amount of space).  Add a vertical frame at the north end of your raised bed. I will expand on growing vertical crops & how to build your frame in the next post!  - See more at: http://followingthemastergardener.blogspot.com/#sthash.pAwPQwKR.dpuf

Also all plants that vine (cucumbers, peas, squash, vine beans and vine tomatoes) are grown using a vertical frame at the end of the raised bed (which saves a tremendous amount of space).  Add a vertical frame at the north end of your raised bed. I will expand on growing vertical crops & how to build your frame in the next post!  - See more at: http://followingthemastergardener.blogspot.com/#sthash.pAwPQwKR.dpuf

How do you maximize the use of small space for your Square Foot garden?  Gardening Vertically allows you to grow more food in less space! Below you can find out how to building your own vertical frame which is a great addition to a garden.

The most popular garden vegetables: pole beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and squash are typically vine crops that sprawl all over the garden if they are not planted vertically.  If you want to grow these crops and still have room for other vegetables in your garden I recommend building a vertical frame. 

Other positives to using vertical growing are: simplified watering, improved harvest (leaves exposed to circulating air and sunlight = less disease), visible pest control, less soil preparation, and adding an attractive visual backdrop to your garden.

Our Raised Beds with Vertical Frames

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN VERTICAL FRAMES

Materials for (1) vertical frame for a 4 foot wide raised bed:
(2) 1/2" EMT tubing (comes standard in 10' lengths)
(1) 3/4" EMT tubing (to receive the 1/2" EMT frame sides)
(2) 1/2" 90 deg EMT elbows
(1) 1/2" EMT straight connector
(2) 3/4" conduit straps/clamps
(2) 1" screws
Garden Netting

Peas growing on Vertical Frame

 STEP 1:  Determine the height of your vertical frames. (Vine crops should grow to 6 or 7 feet in height). We decided on 7 feet. Keep in mind 1 foot of the EMT tubing will be in the ground.  So we determined: 
7 ft (height) + 1 ft (in ground) = 8 ft length per side


STEP 2:  Cut (2) of the 10' EMT tubes to 8' lengths using either a hacksaw or a sawz-all.  You will have (2) 2' pieces left.

STEP 3:  Connect the (2) 2' pieces of EMT tubing with the straight connector (by tightening the screws in the connector) now you have a 4'+ piece (you can trim the ends of the connected pieces to set the exact width of your frame). 

Picture of STEP 3: Straight connector used to attach (2) 2' pieces of EMT tubing

STEP 4:  Add the 90 EMT elbows onto each end of the 4'+ (or trimmed)  piece of EMT tubing. 

Picture of STEP 4: 90 degree elbow

STEP 5:  Now you will need to put the 3/4" EMT tubing in the (2) top corners of your raised bed.  Use a scrap of wood on top of the EMT tube and a rubber mallet to hammer the tubing into the ground until the top is flush with the top of the raised bed.    

STEP 6:  Secure the (2) pieces of 3/4" EMT tubing at the top using the conduit straps/clamps.  Screw the straps in place with using (1) screws per strap. 

Picture of STEP 6: 3/4" EMT tubing in back corner of raised bed.  Secured with conduit strap/clamp.

STEP 7:  Connect the (2) 8' EMT tubes into the elbows of the the 4' EMT piece.  
 

Picture of STEP 7: Connecting the 8' EMT tubes to the elbows of the 4' EMT piece

 STEP 8:  Raise the vertical frame up and slide the (2) 8' EMT tubes into the (2) pieces of 3/4"EMT tubing in the raised beds. Again, adjust the exact width of the frame by trimming the short top pieces.

Picture of STEP 8: Vertical frame raised and slid into 3/4" EMT tubing in back (2) corners of raised bed.

STEP 9:   To attach the garden net, cut the net leaving a loose tying end.  Loop the loose end over the EMT tubing and tie a knot.  Give it a tug to make sure it won't come loose. 

 

Secure net by knotting lose ends around EMT

Cucumber plant growing on Vertical Frame

TIPS FOR GROWING PLANTS VERTICALLY:

1. Support. As your plants begin to grow up the net help them along by tying them to the net to get them started. (I use twist ties from bread bags).  Larger melons and squash vines will need to be tied every couple of days to support the pressure on the vines.  Other types of plants such as peas and cucumbers don't need as much attention.

Peas send out tendrils (thread like strings) that attach to the garden netting to support the plant.

2. Water more frequently.  During summer months you may need to water 2 times a day.  You can also add a layer of mulch to maintain soil moisture.

Summer Squash growing on Vertical Frame

3. Pruning. When your plants grow to the top of the vertical frame its best to prune off the plant tops.  The plant will continue to ripening and you can let a couple side branches grow off the main stem. 

Winter Squash (4) types growing on Vertical Frame

Last year we grew Peas, Cucumbers, Summer Squash and Winter Squash using our Vertical Frames.  I may also try some Tomatoes on the frames this year. I highly recommend growing crops vertically.  We have had great success these past 2 years!