Maximize your garden space by growing these top climbing vegetables:
1. Pole beans: Choose varieties like ‘Kentucky Wonder’, ‘Blue Lake’, or ‘Scarlet Runner’ for prolific harvests. Plant seeds directly in well-draining soil after the last frost. Provide sturdy trellises or poles for support.
2. Sugar snap peas: Plant ‘Super Sugar Snap’ or ‘Cascadia’ in cool spring or fall weather. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. Install a trellis or netting for vines to climb.
3. Cucumbers: Select climbing varieties such as ‘Lemon’, ‘Japanese Climbing’, or ‘Suyo Long’. Sow seeds in mounds spaced 3 feet apart. Train vines up a sturdy trellis, keeping fruits off the ground to prevent rot.
4. Indeterminate tomatoes: Grow flavorful heirlooms like ‘Brandywine’ or ‘Cherokee Purple’. Plant seedlings deeply, burying 2/3 of the stem. Cage or stake plants for support, pruning suckers regularly.
5. Malabar spinach: This heat-loving vine produces nutritious, spinach-like leaves. Sow seeds in late spring, providing a trellis for the vigorous vines. Harvest leaves continuously for salads and sautés.
Pole Beans
Pole beans are a versatile and productive addition to any garden. These climbing legumes come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes, from the classic green beans to vibrant purple and yellow varieties. Pole beans require support, such as a trellis, fence, or pole, to climb and thrive. They prefer well-draining soil and full sun exposure.
To grow pole beans successfully, plant them directly in the ground after the last frost, about 1 inch deep and 3-4 inches apart. Provide sturdy support for the vines to climb, which can reach heights of 6-8 feet or more. Water regularly and apply a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Harvest the beans frequently to encourage continuous production.
Some top pole bean cultivars include:
1. ‘Kentucky Wonder’: A classic green bean with excellent flavor and high yields.
2. ‘Purple Podded Pole’: Striking purple pods that turn green when cooked, with a sweet and nutty taste.
3. ‘Scarlet Runner’: Attractive red flowers and large, meaty beans that are great for both fresh eating and shelling.
4. ‘Fortex’: Long, slender pods that are tender and stringless, perfect for stir-fries and salads.
With proper care and regular harvesting, pole beans will provide a bountiful crop throughout the growing season, making them a rewarding choice for any climbing vegetable garden.

Climbing Peas
Climbing peas are a delightful addition to any garden, offering a vertical growing option that saves space and provides an abundant harvest. There are three main types of climbing peas: shell peas, snap peas, and snow peas. Shell peas, also known as English peas, are grown for their sweet, tender seeds and require shelling before eating. Snap peas have edible pods and can be enjoyed whole when young and tender. Snow peas, popular in Asian cuisine, have flat, crisp pods with small, undeveloped seeds inside.
To grow climbing peas successfully, provide them with well-draining soil rich in organic matter. They thrive in cool weather and can be planted in early spring or late summer for a fall crop. Choose a sunny location and plant the seeds directly in the ground, about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart. As the plants grow, they’ll need support to climb on, such as a trellis, fence, or netting. Explore various trellising options to find the best solution for your garden space.
Peas make excellent companions for many other vegetables. Consider planting them alongside carrots, radishes, spinach, or lettuce. These crops won’t compete for nutrients and can help maximize your garden’s productivity. Avoid planting peas near onions or garlic, as they may stunt the peas’ growth. With proper care and regular harvesting, your climbing peas will reward you with a bountiful crop of fresh, flavorful pods throughout the growing season.

Indeterminate Tomatoes
When it comes to tomatoes, there are two main growth habits: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate varieties grow to a fixed size, typically 3-4 feet tall, and produce their crop all at once. In contrast, indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the season, often reaching heights of 6 feet or more. This vigorous growth habit makes indeterminate varieties ideal for vertical gardening.
To support indeterminate tomatoes, sturdy trellises or cages are a must. Install your support structure early in the season, and as the plants grow, tie the main stem loosely to the trellis using soft twine or tomato clips. Pruning is also key to managing indeterminate tomatoes. Remove the suckers that appear between the main stem and leaf branches to direct the plant’s energy into fruit production. However, be sure to leave enough foliage to shade the developing fruits and prevent sunscald.
When it comes to flavor, heirloom indeterminate tomatoes are hard to beat. ‘Brandywine’ is a classic choice, known for its large, meaty, pink fruits with an old-fashioned tomato taste. ‘Black Krim’ is another favorite, producing striking dark red-purple tomatoes with a rich, slightly salty flavor. For a burst of color and sweet, fruity taste, try ‘Sungold’, a prolific cherry tomato with golden-orange fruits. No matter which indeterminate varieties you choose, with proper support and care, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes all season long.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are an excellent choice for vertical gardening, offering a bountiful harvest while taking up minimal space. There are two main types of cucumbers: slicing and pickling. Slicing cucumbers are longer and have thinner skin, perfect for fresh eating. Pickling cucumbers are shorter, with thicker skin and fewer seeds, ideal for preserving.
To grow cucumbers vertically, provide sturdy support, such as a trellis, fence, or A-frame. Guide the vines onto the support as they grow, using soft ties or clips to secure them. Vertical growth improves air circulation and reduces the risk of disease.
One of the common challenges when growing cucumbers is powdery mildew, a fungal disease that appears as white, powdery spots on leaves. To prevent this, choose resistant varieties, ensure proper spacing for good air flow, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.
With proper care and attention, your vertical cucumber plants will reward you with a delicious, refreshing harvest all summer long. Whether you prefer them fresh in salads or pickled for later, homegrown cucumbers are a delightful addition to any garden.
Squash and Pumpkins
While not all squash are suited for vertical growth, some varieties thrive when trained up sturdy supports. Tromboncino, an Italian heirloom squash, is an excellent climber with long, curved fruits that can reach up to three feet in length. Its vigorous vines can easily scale a trellis, saving valuable garden space. Delicata squash, known for its sweet, creamy flesh and striped skin, is another variety that performs well when grown vertically.
To support these heavy fruits, provide a robust trellis or support system. Cattle panels or hog wire fencing attached securely to posts make strong, durable trellises for squash. The large grid openings allow easy harvesting and provide ample room for the fruits to develop. Another option is to create an A-frame trellis using sturdy wooden poles or metal pipes. Tie the poles together at the top and space them several feet apart at the base, anchoring them firmly in the ground. As the squash vines grow, guide them up the trellis, tying them loosely with soft twine or plant ties. With proper support and care, your climbing squash plants will produce an abundant harvest of delicious, homegrown fruits.
Melons
While often grown along the ground, melons are excellent candidates for vertical gardening. Trellising melons saves valuable garden space and keeps fruits clean and pest-free. For best results, choose small-fruited varieties like ‘Minnesota Midget’ cantaloupes or ‘Sugar Baby’ watermelons. Install sturdy trellises or heavy-duty netting before planting, as mature melon vines can be quite heavy. Tie vines to the support as they grow, directing them upward. Once fruits develop, create slings from old t-shirts or nylon stockings to cradle each melon, securing them to the trellis. This prevents the fruits from breaking off the vine prematurely. With proper care and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy a bountiful melon harvest even in small garden spaces.
Unique Climbers
Looking to grow some unique climbing vegetables in your garden? Consider malabar spinach, a heat-loving vine with glossy leaves that are delicious raw or cooked. Asparagus peas, also known as winged beans, produce edible leaves, flowers, and tender pods with a flavor reminiscent of asparagus. Hyacinth beans are another beautiful option, with purple pods and flowers that add a pop of color to your garden. These fast-growing vines are drought-tolerant and have culinary uses ranging from stir-fries to salads. Experiment with these less common climbers to add variety and visual interest to your vegetable garden. With their vigorous growth habits and versatile flavors, these unique vegetables are sure to become new favorites in your kitchen and garden.
