Can You Grow Fruits & Vegetables on Your Fence?

If you’re into the idea of growing some of your own food but feel you don’t really have enough space for a proper garden, consider a vertical garden, which most everybody has space for. Fencing with open slats is ideal for growing fruits and vegetables as it gives the plants something to wrap around and climb.

A number of vegetables and fruits thrive when allowed to grow up a sturdy fence. If you’ve got a fence, you can take advantage of this unique growing idea.

Best plants for climbing the fence

Good choices for climbing plants include:

• Zucchini
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Pole beans
• Snow peas
• Eggplant
• Pumpkin

There are many others, of course. Consult with your local gardening or home center to get more ideas.

You may be wondering about how cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkin could effectively grow up a fence. They’ll definitely grow, because of their vining growth habit. But you’ll need to support the fruit and keep it from falling off to the ground prematurely.

Fruits and vegetables, once they reach a certain size/weight, can be held in place with slings made of any material you have around the house. The colors and styles of the slings themselves can make quite attractive additions to your vertical garden.

How much sun do your plants need?

This is another consideration. Do a little research and find out how many hours of sunlight is optimal for different types of fruits and vegetables. Your fence’s location and the direction the growing side faces will determine which plants are most likely to thrive there.

Maintaining your vertical garden

Along with sun exposure, water needs also should be considered. Make sure your fence is accessible by a hose, a sprinkler or at least a large watering can. Some varieties of fruits and veggies need scant water; others need a lot. Know this before you plant.

Best fences for vertical gardens

When planning a vertical garden, wood picket fences, aluminum fencing, certain styles of vinyl fencing and chain link fences all work well.

Assuming you’ll want to use an existing section of fence (rather than installing a new fence just for a garden) and your fence is solid wood or PVC, you can attach a trellis. This will not only look beautiful, but it will also give plants reaching for the sun all the reach they need.

Another option if your fence isn’t ideal for climbing is to attach planter boxes and hanging pots. Potatoes, peppers, strawberries, lettuce, squash, figs and many other varieties thrive in their own containers.

Cleaning your fence

Many vining plants will eventually die on the fence. This means you’ll need to pick all the debris out of the fence openings in order to make room for the next crop and keep your fence looking handsome and tidy. Between plantings, it’s a good idea to inspect your fence and give it a good washing or spray-down.

A Perfect 10 Fencing of Brooksville, FL, is your local fencing expert for the repair of wood, chain link, vinyl and aluminum fencing as well as complete design and installation of fences made from these fine materials.

If your fence needs a little tightening up or stabilizing before you cut loose with your vertical garden, call us for a “perfect 10” repair job, every time. Speak with a licensed fencing expert today at (352) 606-2623.