Benefits of Growing Zucchini Vertical

Come and learn the benefits of growing zucchini vertical and see how to do it too! If you love zucchini, save this post on Pinterest to try this next gardening season!

Over the year, zucchini seems to be one of those crops I can almost always count on. Sure we’ve had off years for the crop where we’ve had a lot of pests or the plants don’t produce as well. But for me and many people, zucchini is kind of one of those garden vegetables that’s a sure thing. 

But what if I told you there’s a better way to grow your zucchini? A much better way compared to letting it sprawl all over the place and take up massive amounts of garden space that it really doesn’t need…Would you be interested? Growing zucchini vertical is the best way that I’ve grown zucchini since I started growing it almost a decade ago. Here’s how to grow zucchini vertical and the reasons why growing zucchini vertical is better for the plant and better for your garden. 

More space

Growing zucchini vertical frees up space in your garden. Even if you have a large garden like I do, growing it vertically on a trellis – in my case a tomato trellis allows me to free up additional bed space for other plants. When I first began gardening the zucchini would sprawl out everywhere! I would dedicate half a bed to one, massive zucchini plant. When I was gardening in the suburbs, I only had two beds so this wasn’t the idea situation. But even her on the farm, I can now fit more plants in one bed with my zucchini growing it on a trellis.

For someone who doesn’t have a lot of space, growing zucchini vertical can be a garden saver. It can be done in small backyards or even in large pots on an apartment balcony. 

More sunlight and more yield

Growing zucchini vertical allows for more sunlight to reach all parts of the plant. This makes for a happier and healthier plant, which will lead to more yield. The fruit will continue to grow up with the plant as you train it.

More air flow 

It provides more airflow for the plant. Growing zucchini vertical allows for better air flow through the leaves of the plant. This helps with fungus diseases like powdery mildew and other similar issues that tend to occur when all the leaves are flopped over one another on the ground. Pulling the leaves up through the trellis not only helps them stay off an overly saturated ground, but it also helps the air to circulate better through the plant as a whole. 

Better pest prevention

Growing zucchini vertical provides fewer places for pests to hide. Usually, the biggest zucchini pest is the squash bug and they like to hide on the underside of the zucchini leaves in the shade. Growing zucchini vertically gives them fewer places to hide under because they tend to remain on the ground while the leaves grow up. You can also easily see any eggs that have been laid on the underside of the leaves too. Remove those eggs or remove those leaves altogether and dispose of them. 

Does this mean you won’t have any pests? No, the pests will still find the zucchini but it will create a more difficult environment for them to thrive in. And if you’re vigilant about removing leaves with eggs, then you might even be lucky enough to have a squash bug free season. Cucumber beetles have been a particular nemesis of mine this season. 

Harvesting is more convenient

A few years ago, my massive zucchini plant had sprawled out and almost become two plants. I reached up under it to search for a zucchini I saw growing there and when i moved a leaf aside I found a massive snake skin. Welp. I freaked out. The next year was the first year I started growing zucchini vertical. I know the snakes are around, but I don’t want to be up close and personal. Growing zucchini up allows for an easier harvest. There’s no more searching through dense, big leaves where helpful mouse eaters might be lurking. The zucchini fruit will grow vertically right along with the rest of the plant and it is easy to see and easy to pick.  

How to grow zucchini vertically

Unlike a cucumber plants, zucchini or any squash plants in general do not have vining tendrils. This means that the zucchini won’t grow vertically on its own. You have to train it to grow vertically and this requires some kind of structure to help it grow. All squash plants can be trained to grow up – pumpkin included. Check out my pumpkin trellis {HERE}. You can also find the trellises I use for my zucchini (and tomatoes) {HERE}.

Trellis methods for growing zucchini vertical

1. Tomato Trellis – As I mentioned, I grow zucchini vertical on a tomato trellis. They’re easy to find, easy to use and I can simply lace the leaves through the different layers of the trellis. What I love about this method is it is truly something anyone can do. Even if you just have a patio to grow on. 
   • NOTE: Most people – myself included – who like growing zucchini vertical tend to trim off the lower leaves. Any leaves growing below the fruit aren’t really doing much for the plant. Removing them helps the plant to pour more energy into growing up and producing more fruit. 
2. Stake & Twine – This method involves putting a 6-foot garden stake down into the soil about 1 foot. Then you tie the plant to the stake as it grows. Do this before planting the seedling so that the roots aren’t impacted. The lower leaves of the plant are trimmed away as the plant grows. This leaves you with something that almost resembles a tree at the end of the season. 
3. Frame Method – This includes putting together a tall frame-like structure made out of wood. You can place it at the end of the garden bed or making one out of 4x4s that can be free standing. You can use twine to then attach the zucchini stem to the frame or 
4. Hog panel method – This is a method I’ve considered but I already have a lot of hog panels in my garden. This year they’re all being used for indeterminate tomatoes. However, there’s two ways you can do this. 1. You can create an arch similar to my pumpkin trellis. Or 2. You can stake it into the ground with the long side parallel to the ground. This gives the zucchini room to grow up and then out. In both cases you will have to help the zucchini weave through the trellis. Then cut the lower leaves away. 

Looking for more garden tips? 

Here’s a few more garden planning and DIY projects for you!

• How to plan a garden {HERE}
• How to kill weeds naturally and build your soil {HERE}
• Flowers & Herbs that help repel bugs {HERE}
• How to harvest pumpkins {HERE}
• Tips for using mulch in the garden {HERE}
• 18 Fall garden vegetables {HERE}

Looking for zucchini recipes?

Do you have an abundance of zucchini but you are not sure what to do with it? Try these recipes! 

• Zucchini Bites with Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce {HERE}
• The Best Zucchini Bread {HERE}
• Kielbasa Skewers with summer vegetables {HERE}
• Parmesan & Zucchini Pasta {HERE}
• Homemade Minestrone Soup {HERE}

Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! I hope that you loved this posts and it helps you decide if you should be growing zucchini vertical. If you have any questions or comments, please leave those below. You can also find me on instagram @sugarmaplefarmhouse and @sugarmaplekitchen. Our YouTube channel is @sugarmaplefarmhouse. Happy Gardening!