Last week, I posted an update on my 2024 Garden and you may have noticed a very beautiful arch in the background . I am trying my hand at vertical gardening, because I don’t have a lot of space for a garden and I want to make the most of what I do have.
This DIY squash arch couldn’t be easier, is relatively cheap, and took about 2 hours to make.
How-to make a squash arch
This squash arch requires very little equipment to put together. You will need a hammer and a skilled hammer-wielder! We have an engineering hammer that we used, but a regular hammer would work too. You just need something to drive the post into the ground.
What you need:
- Cattle Panel
- 6′ T-Post
- Zip-ties
- Hammer/sludge hammer
Cost = $95*
*This cost is based on replicating what I made: 2 cattle panels and 6 T-Posts. This made a 8’x9′ plot that allowed me to plant 12 plants total.
What to do:
- Drive the posts in, making sure the arch will have a post on each side of the cattle panel.
- I doubled up the middle post, to hold each panel with 1 post
- Use a helper, and arch the cattle panel over the posts
- Please be careful, the cattle panels are bendy, but don’t let go, they can smack you legs good still.
- Attach the cattle panel to the t-posts using zip-ties up the post.
- Use more than you think! Better safe than sorry.
- Clear the ground underneath to plant your vining squash in! Once they start growing, help them re-direct them to grow up the cattle panel.
vertical gardening
Vertical gardening exactly what you would think, making a garden that uses vertical space, rather than a traditional garden plot. Not only does vertical gardening save space, but it also can help reduce disease on your plants and help your plants get more sunlight without needing to compete with the rest of your garden plot.
Usually these vining plants take over my walk space in the garden, and overall don’t get as much space as they need, because I want to grow a lot of items with my limited space. I am really hoping this vertical gardening will lead to a fruitful harvest, and some very cool shots of my dangling gourds.
I currently have 2 pumpkin varieties, cucumbers, acorn squash, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash planted on my squash arch, totaling 12 plants.
Good luck dangling your gourds – Steph
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