Gardeners with small garden plots often bypass crops that need lots of space. A number of short-vined or "space saver" varieties of melons, squash, and cucumbers are available. However, many space-hogging vine crops can be successfully grown in small spaces if they're trained to grow on trellises or contained in cages. Varieties with fruit no larger than a honeydew or large cantaloupe work best.

TRELLISES
Trellises can be made from a wide variety of materials. They generally consist of two vertical supports. Some type of mesh is suspended between them or woven onto them to provide support for climbing plants. The type of vertical supports depends on how they will be used.

Metal supports can handle being removed and re-set year after year. Wood might be best used for more permanent trellises or collapsible A-frame types that are lifted out of the garden at the end of each season.

One possible material to use for metal supports is electrical conduit. It is lightweight, easy to cut with a hacksaw and rustproof. Since pipe or conduit has smooth sides, threading the conduit through holes in the mesh is the best way to attach the mesh. Choose conduit or other pipe with a diameter large enough to securely hold the mesh. Pipe with a diameter between ½" to 1" works well.

You can also use electric fence posts, solid metal rods 3' to 4' high. Each has a triangle shaped metal blade near its base, that stabilizes it in the soil. It's easy to insert the post by stepping on the blade to anchor it. Metal fence posts, which come in a number of lengths, also have an anchoring blade. They are U-shaped; some have flattened hooks which work well to hold mesh in place.

The type of mesh you use depends on the crop. Nylon or other soft mesh does not work well for heavy-fruited crops as it sags under the weight. It's also hard to clean off plant debris at season's end. Nylon or soft mesh work best with the metal posts which have hooks to hold it in place.

Chicken wire is an excellent light-weight mesh, available in several widths. Fold the cut edges of the wire down and weave those pieces onto your choice of vertical supports to create sturdy trellises for small squash, cucumbers or melons. Galvanized wire mesh has rectangular openings 2" x 4" and is heavier than chicken wire. It is readily available through building centers where it is sometimes sold as dog wire.

Vine crops may be easily trained to grow on trellises. As the vines lengthen, weave them gently between the openings in the mesh. Grow cucumbers on chicken wire mesh. Heavier mesh holds too much heat, which may damage the vines. Squash and melons do well on heavier gauge wire mesh.

Most melons are ripe when the fruit slips from the vine. Slipping means the fruit separates easily with only slight pressure at the point where vine and fruit join. Heavy, unripe fruit may slip prematurely when grown on trellises. To prevent this, make hammocks or cradles to support the developing fruit. Use strips of cloth several inches wide. The length of the cloth strips depends on the fruit size. Tie each end of the cloth to the wire loosely enough to allow the middle portion to form a sling. Set the fruit in the sling.

Cucumbers and small squash, such as delicata or acorn, do not slip from the vine so they don't need to be cradled. Check vine crops frequently to ensure developing fruits don't become wedged between the mesh wires. Larger squash are too heavy to trellis and should be grown on the ground.

Spray the stems of vine crops with the insecticide carbaryl, also sold as Sevin, early in the season to prevent squash vine borer. If you prefer not to spray, wrap strips of aluminum foil or old nylon stockings around the lower foot or so of stems to keep squash vine borers from laying eggs on the stems.

Some vine crops such as cucumbers, melons and short-vined squash may be grown in cages and trained to grow up the sides of the cage. Support the cages with wooden stakes. Acorn and other squash produce many extremely vigorous vines which will quickly over-grow a cage. These vines grow best on trellises.

TOMATO CAGES
Cement reinforcing mesh makes great tomato cages because of its 4" square holes. This mesh is very stiff and difficult to work with. You need heavy-duty wire cutters to cut it. Wear gloves, a long sleeve shirt and long pants to prevent scratches. Eye protection should also be worn. A roll of reinforcing wire will yield about 13 cages, each 18" in diameter. Form cages by wiring the cut edges together with lengths of lighter wire, or use pliers to form hooks from the horizontal wires and hook them onto the vertical wire on the other side. Cattle fence with 4" openings will also work. It's usually not as wide as reinforcing mesh.

Secure the cages in place by sinking two stakes on opposite sides inside the cages. The stakes should reach about 3' above the soil surface.