Cucumbers are a quintessential summer garden crop! The crisp, juicy fruit are perfect for refreshing summer salads, sandwiches, beverages, homemade pickles, dips, and more. Read along and learn how to grow cucumbers at home with our best tips to maximize space, yield, and success.This article explores when and how to plant cucumbers, different types and varieties, tips for growing cucumbers in pots or vertically up a trellis, pollination, and pest control. We’ll also cover the best time to harvest cucumbers, how to prevent bitterness, storage tips, and ways to use or preserve your bounty!Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Ideal Cucumber Growing Conditions Temperature: Cucumbers grow best when both the air and soil are nice and warm. They thrive when outdoor temperatures are between 75-85°F, and the soil is at least 65°F. Cucumbers grow more slowly (or fail to grow at all) when temperatures dip below 50 or rise over 95°F. Above 95, the plants will fail to produce fruit as the flowers fall off.  Use shade cloth and mulch to protect cucumber plants from extreme heat. Cucumbers do not tolerate frost.Sun: Cucumber plants need full sun in most cases, or at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Yet since cucumber plants don’t love extreme heat, they will benefit from partial shade (especially afternoon shade) in hot climates where summer temperatures routinely exceed 90°F. Soil: Cucumbers grow best in soil that’s rich in organic matter, but loose and well-draining. For the best results, amend soil with a few inches of well-aged compost and/or worm castings prior to planting. Fluff up heavy clay soil with the addition of sand or potting soil. Water: Regular deep water is one of THE keys to successfully grow cucumbers! Cucumber plants love consistently damp soil and a regular watering schedule*. Irregular water (fluctuating between very wet and dry) leads to stressed plants, dry fruit, and bitter-tasting cucumbers. A couple inches of mulch around the base of plants will help with even moisture retention. Avoid overwatering however, since soggy soil or standing water can lead to root rot.*Water needs and frequency vary depending on your climate, soil, and rainfall. It doesn’t rain here in the summer (though it’s not very hot) and we run our raised bed drip irrigation system twice a week for an hour to give the plants a nice deep drink. Types of Cucumbers and Varieties To GrowCucumbers generally fall into three categories: classic slicers, pickling cucumbers, or thin-skinned burpless varieties. Slicing cucumbers are what’s most commonly found in grocery stores, and are used for fresh eating (though they can also be pickled). Slicers average about 6 to 10 inches in length, usually have medium-thick skin that’s slightly bumpy, and a moderate amount of seeds inside. Marketmore, Paraiso, and Green 18 are a few great slicer cucumber varieties. Some hybrid slicers have thinner skin – like Manny, my favorite! Pickling cucumbers are short, stout (3 to 4 inches long) and usually have bumpy skin. The compact size is perfect to pack inside jars for homemade pickles! Pickling cucumbers are also usually more firm, and therefore better retain a crunchy texture in pickles and preserves. Popular pickling cucumber varieties include Homemade Pickles, Excelsior Cucumber, National Pickling, and Provision.English, Asian, or other “burpless” cucumbers are similar to slicers, but have exceptionally thin, tender skin. This makes them ideal for fresh eating, and easier to digest – hence the “burpless” moniker! Burpless cucumber varieties tend to grow longer (up to 12 inches or more) but stay more slender, so they’re usually less seedy than traditional slicers. I love to grow burpless cucumbers, including Tasty Green, Telegraph and Sashimi. There are many other types of cucumbers out there too! Cucamelons, gherkins, white cucumbers, Armenian, lemon, and more. Learn how to grow cucamelons here.Tiny Mexican Sour Gherkin cucumbers – aka “cucamelons”Bush vs. Vining CucumbersCucumber plants have two different growth habits: bush or vining, much like squash plants. Vining cucumber plants grow larger, produce more fruit over a longer period of time, require a trellis for support, and maximize space by growing vertically!In contrast, bush cucumber varieties are compact, bear less generous volumes of fruit per plant, and don’t require a trellis. They’re ideal to grow in fields, rows, containers, or raised beds – but need to be spaced farther apart, explained below. To save even more space in the bed for other plants, we set up our favorite cucumber trellis like a lean-to off the end of one raised bed (though it’s most often used as an A-frame within the bed).Growing Cucumbers from SeedTo grow cucumbers from seed, you can either start seeds indoors or plant seeds right in the garden (aka direct sow). We’ve had success with both methods over the years!To direct sow, plant cucumber seeds outdoors after the last spring frost has passed, ideally once the soil temperature reaches about 60°F. See spacing guidelines to follow.Or, start cucumber seeds indoors about 3 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Cucumber seedlings grow really fast and have sensitive root systems! Therefore, we like to start our cucumber seeds in 4″ nursery pots instead of tiny cells or 6-packs so we don’t need to worry about them getting root bound or potting up.Provide indoor cucumber seedlings with ample bright light (grow lights) for the best results. Get more detailed tips on starting seeds indoors here.Cucumber seedlings grow fast! We like to start them in 4” pots instead of smaller cell trays, giving their roots plenty of space so they don’t get root bound. When to Plant Cucumbers OutsideTransplant cucumber seedlings outside in the spring after the soil has warmed, and at least 2 weeks after the danger of frost has passed. Studies show that cucumbers will not grow if the soil temperature is below 63°F, so when in doubt, use a soil thermometer to check before planting! May is generally a good time to plant cucumbers in most growing zones. Be sure to harden off indoor seedlings first and follow other transplanting best practices! We love to add a handful of worm castings and mycorrhizae to the planting hole. Both help to reduce transplant shock, encourage healthy root development, and increase nutrient uptake. How Far to Space Cucumber PlantsHilled or bush cucumber plants (those left to sprawl out) should be spaced about 3 to 5 feet apart. However, vining cucumbers grown vertically can be spaced as close as 12 inches apart along the base of a common trellis. Spaced about 12″ apart, we’re able to grow up to four cucumber vines on a 4-foot wide trellis.Cucumber Pollination and Fruit GrowthDid you know that some cucumber varieties need pollination to grow fruit, while others do not – and are considered “self-fertile”? The seed or plant description should specify if the variety is monoecious or parthenocarpic.Most cucumber varieties are monoecious: in order for cucumbers to grow, pollen must be physically transferred from their male to female flowers – either by bees, other insects, or by hand! Without proper pollination, the cucumber fruits fail to develop, staying small and eventually falling off the vine. In contrast, parthenocarpic cucumber varieties set fruit without pollination. They’re exceptionally productive, including in greenhouses or high-tunnels where pollinators may not be present. Parthenocarpic cucumber varieties are always vining, further adding to their appeal for maximizing productivity. Female flowers have tiny immature cucumbers visible at the base, while the male flowers have a plain straight stem. If you look closely, you can see several tiny yellow cucumbers that were not pollinated, and soon will fall off the vine. To hand-pollinate cucumbers, simply pick off an open male flower, peel the petals back, and rub its yellow center against the center of an open female flower. Growing Cucumbers on a TrellisThere are a number of benefits to growing cucumbers vertically up a trellis! It saves space, increases airflow (which reduces disease and pests), makes harvesting easier, and keeps the cucumber fruit growing nice and straight! Cucumbers left to grow on the ground tend to curl, or get discolored spots where they were laying on the soil.Cucumber vines grow about 4 to 6 feet long on average, depending on the variety. That said, an ideal cucumber trellis should be at least 4 or 5 feet tall and at least 1 foot wide per plant. Using a wide trellis allows you to plant several cucumbers side-by-side along the same trellis, spaced about a foot apart along the base. The openings in the trellis should be wide enough for you to fit your hands through for harvesting. Cucumber Trellis IdeasCucumber trellises come in many shapes and sizes: lean-tos or A-frames, traditional vertical trellises, tall cages, or pointed teepees… they all get the job done! Get creative and make a DIY cucumber trellis using garden netting, stakes, wire, fencing, sticks, or other sturdy materials. See our tutorial on how to make a DIY trellis here! We love and use this cucumber trellis. We actually have several, and use them for melons and winter squash too. You can also grow cucumbers up a large walk-through arched trellis or arbor, though the vines likely won’t make it to the top.  RELATED: See 7 of the best cheap, easy, and clever DIY cucumber trellis ideas here!Badger loves our cucumber trellis too! Chillin’ below it, he’s as cool as a cucumber.Growing Cucumbers in ContainersYes, you can grow cucumbers in pots! Choose a container that is at least one foot deep and wide per plant. We love to plant cucumbers in generously-sized half wine barrel planters. Then, all of the basic growing requirements that we’ve already covered (soil, sun, temperature, etc) applies to growing cucumbers in pots too.However, achieving the ideal soil moisture (consistently damp but not soggy) that cucumbers love is more tricky in containers, since potted soil tend to yo-yo between wet and dry more than raised beds or in-ground gardens. To help ensure optimal hydration, consider adding a small olla inside the pot, or plant cucumbers in a handy self-watering pot.Cucumbers growing in a self-watering pot (trellis included) in a container gardenCucumber Pests and DiseasesPests Common cucumber pests include spotted and striped cucumber beetles, aphids, thrips, whitefly, root knot nematodes, squash bugs, squash vine borers, and spider mites. Some of these pests cause harm by chewing on the plants while others transmit diseases (or both). For instance, spotted and striped cucumber beetles cause damage by chewing on foliage and fruit, but they also transmit a bacterial wilt pathogen that can kill cucurbits. The first step in organic pest management is to properly identify the pest first, then proceed conservatively and depending on the severity of the infestation. Neem oil spray, fine mesh insect netting row covers, and thoughtful garden companion planting can all help deter pest insects. I don’t recommend using broad-spectrum pesticides – for the sake of your health, pollinators, and the environment! Click on any of the pest names above to see specific control tips. Striped and spotted cucumber beetlesDiseasesThere are also a number of cucumber plant diseases that can occur including powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, downy mildew, angular leaf spot, bacterial wilt, Phytophthora crown and root rot.Bacterial wilt, leaf spot, and mosaic virus are difficult to remedy once they set in, but there are a number of proactive prevention and management techniques to use – including good garden hygiene and sanitation, reducing overhead watering (use drip irrigation instead), minimizing aphid and cucumber beetle populations, and removing infected plants.One great way to thwart these issues is to grow disease-resistant varieties! For example, powdery mildew is very prevalent in our area, so we seek out powdery mildew resistant cucumber varieties like Tasty Green or Manny. Other varieties may exhibit natural resistance to downy mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, scab, bacterial wilt, and more. RELATED: Visit our guides on how to treat powdery mildew, how to mix and safely use neem oil spray, or organic aphid control tips. Powdery mildew spots on cucumber leavesWhen to Harvest CucumbersTo harvest cucumbers, either cut the stem or gently twist the fruit off the vine. Be careful to not damage the vine itself! For the best-tasting cucumbers, it’s key to harvest cucumbers early and often, before they start to turn yellow or become too large and seedy. Cucumbers are ready to harvest when they’re dark green and the fruit have reached the desired size for the variety you planted, usually 6 to 9 inches long for most slicers or burpless varieties. Harvest pickling cucumbers nice and small (3 to 4 inches long) and don’t let them grow longer than 5 inches.Cucumbers don’t need to “ripen” so they really can’t be picked too early. On the flip side, cucumbers left on the vine too long will start to taste bitter, the skin gets increasingly thick and tough, and the insides get more and more seedy. Plus, routinely harvesting fruit allows the plant to redirect its energy into growing new cucumbers – thereby increasing yields!Why do my cucumbers taste bitter?Cucumbers get bitter when a natural compound called cucurbitacin becomes elevated in the fruit. A number of things make cucumbers taste bitter, including when they’re harvested and how they’re grown. Cucumbers that are harvested early are more sweet and tender, while overgrown cucumbers left on the vine too long quickly become bitter.  Heat stress causes higher levels of cucurbitacin and bitterness.  Irregular or inconsistent watering throughout the growing season also stresses the plants and makes cucumbers bitter.  Finally, some cucumber varieties are naturally more sweet and less bitter than others, such as English and Persian cucumbers. Slicing cucumbers are most prone to getting bitter. Reduce bitterness in cucumbers by providing regular water, harvesting fruit early, protecting plants from extreme heat with shade cloth and mulch, and removing the peel on already-harvested fruit that is bitter.How to Store CucumbersStore just-harvested cucumbers in the refrigerator inside a reusable plastic bag in the crisper drawer. Cucumbers should stay fresh and crisp for over a week in the fridge, compared to only a few days if left out at room temperature. Wait to cut cucumbers until you’re ready to use them, but it’s okay to wash them before storage. Yet try not to store cucumbers below 40F, as they’ll degrade more quickly under too cold of conditions. Also avoid storing cucumbers near apples or tomatoes, which emit a plant hormone (ethylene) that will cause the cucumbers to yellow. Store sliced or cut cucumbers in a bowl of cool water for only a few days to prevent them from drying out. Ways to Use and Preserve CucumbersGiven their mild and inconspicuous flavor, there are endless ways to use and preserve cucumbers! Use fresh cucumbers in salads (including cucumber-forward Greek salad), sandwiches, wraps, burgers, smoothies, tzatziki, salsas, sliced in water or sun tea, or use them in a juicer. You could even experiment cooking with cucumbers, including sautéed, roasted or grilled. To preserve cucumbers, consider making delicious homemade pickles: either quick refrigerator pickles, canned, or lacto-fermented brined cucumber pickles. You can also dehydrate thin cucumber slices into chips, or freeze them. Check out this post from Practical Self Reliance to see 15 different ways to preserve cucumbers!Try our Easy Crunchy Refrigerator Dill Pickles recipe here!And that sums up everything you need to know to successfully grow cucumbers.All in all, I hope you enjoyed reading this article – and hopefully learned something new! I even learned a couple new things myself, which is always a treat. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, and feel free to visit our other seed-to-harvest grow guides here. Here’s wishing you a bountiful cucumber growing season ahead!You may enjoy these related posts:Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (Cucumber Yogurt Dip) 7 Useful Seed Starting Supplies for Success Indoors DIY Berry Trellis: How to Build a Wire Raspberry or Blackberry Trellis (Video) 13 Must-Try Zucchini Recipes: Clever Ways to Use Zucchini 7 Ways to Support or Train Tomatoes: Cages, Trellises & More  How to Grow Artichokes: A Complete Guide with PhotosThe post How to Plant and Grow Cucumbers: Tips for Success and Big Harvests appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

Growing cucumbers on a trellis is a great way to save space and maximize yield! Come explore a variety of cucumber trellises, including some of the best clever, cheap, and easy DIY cucumber trellis ideas. There are options and styles for every budget, skill level, and any size garden – including pots, containers or raised beds. I’ve also included a few quick tips on the best types of cucumbers to grow on trellises.Image via ShutterstockDisclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Benefits of Cucumber Trellises Growing cucumbers vertically up a trellis offers numerous benefits: it saves space, increases airflow (which reduces disease and pests), makes harvesting easier, and keeps the cucumbers growing nice and straight! When left to grow sprawling over the ground instead, cucumbers tend to curl, get discolored spots, and are more vulnerable to pests.In small garden spaces, you may even be able to grow shade-tolerant crops below your cucumber trellis. For example, planting lettuce, radishes, spinach, or other small leafy greens under a trellis maximizes your growing space AND provides valuable shade for heat-sensitive plants during summer. RELATED: Need tips on general cucumber plant care? Come visit this guide on how to plant and grow cucumbers, which covers everything from seed through harvest!Best Types of Cucumbers to Grow on a TrellisCucumber plants have two different growth habits: bush or vining. Be sure to read the plant description and choose vining cucumber varieties if you plan to trellis them! Vining cucumbers are the most common type. These large sprawling plants grow best with a trellis for support, and produce more fruit over a longer period of time.In contrast, bush cucumber varieties are compact, bear less generous volumes of fruit per plant, and don’t require trellising. They’re also ideal for pots or containers!Some of our favorite vining cucumber varieties to grow include Tasty Green, Telegraph, and Manny – all delicious thin-skinned “burpless” varieties. Many classic slicer cucumbers and petite pickling cucumber varieties are also vining. Equipped with natural clinging tendrils, cucumber vines are designed to climb.Cucumber Trellis Size RequirementsCucumber trellises come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles – as we’ll explore below! Here are a few general tips to choose or make the best size DIY cucumber trellis:Cucumber vines grow about 4 to 6 feet long on average, sometimes up to 8 feet or longer depending on the variety. That said, an ideal cucumber trellis should be at least 4 or 5 feet tall. If you’re growing a variety with extra-long vines, take that into consideration! The trellis should be at least 1 foot wide per cucumber plant. Using a wider trellis allows you to grow several plants side-by-side up the same trellis, spaced about a foot apart along the base. The openings in the trellis should be wide enough for you to fit your hands through for harvesting, especially if you can only access the trellis from one side. Vining cucumber plants naturally climb trellises with clinging tendrils, so there’s no need to tie them up. They’ll easily wrap around wire, string, or skinny wood stakes. However, you may need to help guide the vines in the right direction, especially at first.Spaced about 12″ apart, we’re able to grow up to four plants on our favorite 4-foot wide cucumber trellis.7 Cucumber Trellis Ideas and Styles1) A-Frame Cucumber TrellisAn A-frame trellis is perfect for growing cucumbers. Shaped like the letter “A”, the simple design allows you to plant cucumbers up both sides of the slanted structure. Or, let the plants grow up one side and back down the other, depending on the height and size.You can either buy a pre-made A-frame trellis like ours, or make your own simple cucumber trellis from wood, wire, stakes, bamboo, twine, netting, or other materials.The examples below show one DIY cucumber trellis made from cattle panel (bent in half), and another constructed of 2×2″ wood sides, 1×1″ wood horizontal supports across the top and bottom, and concrete wire remesh on each side for the lattice. The builder explains “I offset one side so that it nests in the other, and attached them at the top with bolts, locknuts and washers so that it can be folded flat for easy storage.”Cattle panel works well as a cucumber trellis since it’s so sturdy. Image via Bonnie PlantsThis DIY A-frame trellis is made from 2×2″ wood and concrete wire remesh, and is able to hinge and fold for storage. This is my personal favorite style! We save a ton of growing space by hanging the end of our A-frame cucumber trellis off the end of a raised garden bed like a lean-to. We use these same trellises for winter squash, melons and pumpkins too.2) Vertical Cucumber TrellisVertical cucumber trellises are the ultimate space-saver. Placing a vertical trellis along an edge or backside of a raised garden bed leaves the rest of the bed free for other plants! Vertical or flat trellises can also be used to easily grow cucumbers along a fence or wall.However, be sure to consider the direction of the sun to avoid shading out nearby plants. If you live in the northern hemisphere, it’s best to locate the trellis on the north side of a garden bed or along a south-facing wall to maximize sun exposure.This cucumber trellis idea is also the easiest to DIY! You can make a very simple vertical trellis with wire fencing or netting strung between two sturdy stakes or t-posts. Or for a more permanent installation, build a wood frame around the wire or netting (shown below).We love to use concrete wire remesh for our DIY trellises. Remesh isn’t quite as sturdy as cattle panel without additional support (e.g. stakes along the the sides) but is more affordable, more rigid than other wire fencing options, and has the ideal size openings. For more details, follow our step-by-step guide on how to build a trellis. A simple DIY trellis made using a panel of remesh between two tall garden stakesOne of our sturdy DIY trellises made with remesh and a wood frame. Get easy instructions here!Similar vertical cucumber trellises using wood stakes and cut sections of cattle panel via Reddit3) Arched Trellis or ArborsWho doesn’t love a whimsical walk-through arched garden trellis? I know I do! You can definitely grow cucumbers vertically up an archway, though depending on the variety, the vines may not make it all the way over the top.Cattle panel is a popular option to make a sturdy, long-lasting DIY arch cucumber trellis, which can be purchased in 16-foot lengths from a local tractor or farm supply store. The best to way to make a cattle panel arched trellis is to carefully bend and secure the wire panel between four t-posts (one at each corner of the arch) that are driven at least one to two feet into the ground. That, or securely connected between two raised garden beds. Once complete, the sides at the base of the arch should be spaced about 5 to 6 feet apart. See diagram below.If you’re not up for DIY, there are many awesome pre-made garden arches or arbors to buy as well! We get our arched trellises at a local nursery (made locally from welded steel), but I also really love the similiar rustic look of this Jardin arched trellis.My friend Meg from Seed to Fork has cucumbers growing up one side of her DIY trellis, and cucamelons on the other.Looking for more trellis ideas? Don’t miss our popular DIY tomato trellis, this awesome homemade blackberry or raspberry trellis system, or our simple and sturdy flat DIY trellis that can be used for a wide variety of climbing plants!4) Pallet Cucumber TrellisIt’s incredibly easy to make a DIY cucumber trellis out of an old upcycled wood pallet. Even better, you can often find old pallets for free on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace! For the best results, choose a pallet that has fairly wide-spaced slats for good airflow, and so the fruit can easily hang down between.To set it up, simply prop the pallet up on additional pieces of wood, the side of a raised bed, or cinderblock supports, leaning at about a 45 degree angle. A south-facing orientation is ideal. To allow the vines to easily climb and cling, secure several pieces of twine or string running vertically from the top to bottom of the pallet (opposite direction of the slats). My friend Tanya at Lovely Greens has a tutorial on how she makes her a DIY pallet cucumber trellis.My friend Tanya’s DIY pallet trellis.Another version, with vertical twine added for easy climbing. 5) Lean-To TrellisesMuch like the pallet idea, you can easily build a DIY lean-to cucumber trellis with an old wooden lattice or sturdy wire fencing (e.g. remesh or a section of cattle panel). Simply lean and secure the trellis structure up at an angle on sturdy supports. The higher the trellis is angled, the less space it takes up and the easier it will be to access and reach underneath to harvest cucumbers. Here is an awesome pre-made lean-to style cucumber trellis option. Several styles of lean-to trellisesThis popular cucumber trellis from Gardener’s Supply is doubling as protective shade for heat-sensitive leafy greens below.6) Cucumber Cage or TeepeeCucumbers can be grown in tall cages, just like tomatoes! Using cages or teepee-like structures is ideal for growing cucumbers in pots or containers where a larger trellis may not fit. Use one slender tomato cage to support a single cucumber plant, or a wider, larger cage with a few cucumbers planted around the base. You can use a pre-made tomato cage for cucumbers or make one yourself.To make an DIY cucumber cage, it’s easy to curl and secure wire fencing into a cylinder. Or, insert several garden stakes in a circle around the plant, and then add horizontal rows of string or twine going up every 6 inches around them. To make a teepee, join three or four garden stakes or pieces of bamboo at the top with twine going around them. Follow our guide on how to make a DIY tomato cage using remesh wire for an even larger, sturdier optionA simple cucumber cage/teepee made of bamboo stakes and twineYou could easily plant 3 cucumber plants around the base of our large DIY tomato cages made of remesh panelsA larger cucumber teepee trellis. I assume the wood stakes are anchored well into the ground. (Image source unknown)A pre-made tomato cage turned upside down into a cucumber teepee (via Pinterest)7) String or Netting TrellisesLast but not least, it’s easy to grow cucumbers up rows of horizontal or vertical string. See several ideas and photos below. The plants will use their tendrils to climb, though you may also need to gently lead the end of the vine around the string as well.For instance, connect many rows of horizontal twine between t-posts or garden stakes, spacing the rows about every 6 inches up the stakes. Or, connect string vertically to an overhead support, and then anchor them in the soil at the base of the cucumber plants using landscape staples (or gently clip them to the main stem itself). My friend Karen shows exactly how she uses the vertical string method to train cucumbers here. Instead of individual strings, you could also hang up mesh garden netting for the cucumbers to easily climb.Karen’s string cucumber trellis from The Art of Doing StuffA t-post and twine cucumber trellis via Seed SaversMesh garden netting makes for a super quick and easy DIY trellisA creative DIY trellis made from branches, bamboo stakes, and garden netting.I hope you found some fun cucumber trellis ideas!As you can see, there are SO many clever and easy ways to support cucumbers as they grow. Have fun getting creative! Please let me know if you have any questions or other interesting ideas in the comments below. Thank you for tuning in today. We wish you bountiful cucumber growing season ahead!You may enjoy these related posts:Crunchy Refrigerator Pickles: Quick & Easy Homemade Dill Pickles Easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (Cucumber Yogurt Dip) Fermented Pickles Recipe: How to Make Crunchy Brined Cucumber Pickles How to Grow Cucamelons (Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumbers) 6 Ways to Support or Train Tomatoes: Cages, Trellises & More  Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post 7 Best Cucumber Trellis Ideas + Easy DIY Designs with Photos appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

*Editors Note  – 3/1/16. This piece was originally published back in June when Trump first announced his candidacy. It is now March 1 (Super Tuesday) and Trump is in high standing on the GOP ballot. If you truly think this man could “Make America Great Again,” consider the following: Donald Trump, President of your homestead… See image: This Is What Your Homestead Would Look Like If Donald Trump Were President   I'm just messing with you.     Donald Trump has officially announced that he will be running for president in the 2016 election. Is the news exciting, frightening, interesting, horrifying? I dunno…I just keep thinking about hair. As a strong, independent, self-sufficient, pioneering kind of person, WHAT do YOU think? Is he a “successful, self-made millionaire and powerful entrepreneur who is just what this country needs?” Or will his “fluctuating temper and ego get the better of him?”   Or do we even care, we've got chickens to feed?   | Feel free to share this story, and leave your own responses in the comments below, or on our Facebook page!     Looking for more News? You'll Like: What You Need To Know For Super Tuesday Cruz & Rubio Too Busy Fighting To Win Super Tuesday Clinton Unites With Rubio & Cruz To Fight Trump   We just needed a good chuckle.  I respect the system just as much as any red, white, & blue-blooded American. Please share your voice and cast your vote. And, if you wish, share these images with your own homesteading friends too!

Want to know the best essential oils for pregnancy? There are a lot of essential oils out there and they all come with their benefits and uses. So if you want to know the essential oils for pregnancy, this list will give you an idea. Essential Oils for Pregnancy I love essential oils. Who doesn't right? Apart from its amazing aroma, you can also get a lot of benefits from them. That's why when I was pregnant with my children, I see to it that I have some essential oils handy all the time. Not only does it help you calm down, but some can also help balance your hormones and even manage nausea and morning sickness. So if you're pregnant, planning to be or know someone who is, share this knowledge with them. You may also want to consider giving them a few essential oils for their baby shower.   1. Morning Sickness and Nausea | Morning sickness is very common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Instead of just hoping that it will pass, try essential oils like: ginger, peppermint, lemon, and spearmint. Click here to read more. 2. Hypertension image source Pregnant women are prone to hypertension and it almost always results to risky pregnancy. You can inhale lavender oil or place a few drops on your tongue to help you out. 3. Swelling/Edema | This is most common in the last trimester of pregnancy. Although the swelling normally goes away after childbirth, this may still cause some discomfort and pain. You can take 1-2 drops of grapefruit, lemon or lime on your tongue to help naturally get rid excess water. You can also try this DIY spa treatment that uses a combination of lemongrass, grapefruit, cypress and coconut oil. 4. Headaches image source When you're not pregnant, it's so easy to just take medicine for your headache but being pregnant means you have to be extra cautious. You can make your own salve by using essential oils like peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus. 5. Heartburn image source Heartburn is very uncomfortable, solve it with a combination of peppermint and lemon essential oil. See how here. 6. Stretchmarks | Nobody wants to have stretchmarks but it sometimes becomes avoidable when you get the belly bump. Use this stretch mark serum that uses neroli, lavender, myrrh and lemon essential oil twice a day to help prevent it. 7. Sleeplessness or Insomnia image source Get a good night rest by applying a few drops of lavender essential oil on your feet. If you can't reach them anymore, ask someone else to help you. 8. Hemorrhoids image source Solve that problem with this easy recipe: 1 drop peppermint 2 drops helichrysum 2 drops geranim 2 drops cypress Mix everything with a carrier oil and apply on the affected area. 9. Yeast Infections | Pregnant women are more prone to yeast infections. It's a good thing that essential oils can help. Just combine a few drops of melaleuca, lavender and 2 tbsp. of bath salts in a warm sitz bath and soak for about 10 minutes. See it here.   So whenever you feel like something is not right, always remember that there's an essential oil to help you out!   What do you think of this list of essential oils for pregnancy? Do you think you'll be giving it a try or suggest it to someone who is pregnant?  Let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are on this amazing list. Have any homesteading projects you’d like to share? Share it with us an we’ll give it a try. We’d love to know what you think!   Like this? You'll also LOVE: Homemade Air Freshener with Essential Oils 12 Thieves Oil Uses for Everyday Living

This week on Hey Riley:  We've got great homesteading tips in regards to gardening! Drought tolerant advice, gardening tips for beginners, and making the most of what you have. Keep reading for all the tips & tricks. Submit your own – we welcome all!   Hey Riley: My patio was chipping away, but I found a solution to save it! I covered in in concrete, and then used some tools to make it look more like stones: adding fake joins, etc. After it set I added real grout to the inset areas. Now it looks like a smooth stone patio! I'll try to send a photo. – M.P. Hey Riley: My husband and I just moved into our first home. We have a pretty spacious backyard and are trying to figure out what to do with it. We both work, love to entertain, and don't have kids (yet). Whatever can we do with this space that isn't too complicated, but will look nice and relaxing? -Newly Nested Dear Newly Nested: What a fun journey you are about to embark on! While many find their zen while gardening and growing fresh plants, it is not a hobby for all! Look for containers or even vertical garden options to add some greenery without the hassle. Simple plants will only require water, and some trimming. Drought tolerant plants are suitable for the low-maintenance homeowner – Catch a full-list here. You'll also want to keep ample space for entertaining, build a patio and add seating. Adding a water feature and taller shrubs is a nice way to break up the space while adding some privacy. Your water feature may need to be cleaned out regularly, I would talk to an expert at your local hardware store to find the best one for your budget and needs. Lastly, I would like to recommend a firepit. (Please respect the open-flame regulations in your area.) The mighty fire is a lovely asset to any yard, as it provides heat, light, and a means for cooking. It is also a lovely feature to gather around for late-night entertainers. Meanwhile, make a plan that suits your time, and relax. -R.E.C. DIY Fire Pit Instructions Here: | Hey Riley: I've always been one for the colors found in nature. Keeping my garden as natural looking as possible in greens, greys, and browns. Recently however, I saw the most beautiful homestead in all natural colors, with just a pair of red garden chairs standing out. It brought the scene to life! What are your thoughts on color? How can I use it to enhance my own garden? -Considering Color Dear C.C., There is no right or wrong way to let your garden grow. Now, of course there are basic guidelines we follow, but has anyone ever been locked up for wearing white after labor day? No. Your garden is whatever you want it to be: clean kept, and in a row, casual country, wildflowers and overgrown… There is beauty in diversity. However, this blend of neutrals scene you have described is a wonderful way to start that is not overwhelming in color. The rule of thumb is to keep colors to a minimum of 1 or 2 accents. You have your base color, then you have your color pops. In fact, these color pops can even help bring out the neutral shades and give the garden life! Red is a notorious scene stealer, you've seen this in natural ways, like red roses, or in photos: a red barn on a green pastor, you've even seen this on exterior houses such as red shutters or a red front door. The one color pop ties the look together to make it that much more appealing. Work with your own favorite colors, and experiment with colors to find what appeals to you and works with your own home the best. Inspiration can be found in the simplest of places, from magazine clippings to butterfly wings. -R.E.C.   Hey Riley: I live in California where we're experiencing a drought and the city is regulating how often we can even water our lawns! How can I be water-wise with my garden while still getting the joy and therapy I need while gardening? -Need to Weed Dear My Needy Friend: Don't let the drought get you down, instead see it as an opportunity to plant new kinds of life! Try your hand at succulents, and other drought-tolerant plants. Switch out your lawn for a water-wise ground cover, and add stepping stones for a nice walkway. Here are 40 drought tolerant plant ideas to get your garden growing again. You can also take matters into your own hands, and save water on your homestead through various tips and tricks, like switching out your sink nozzle with a greener one (see more water-wise tips here). -R.E.C. Riley, Riley, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With wishing wells and buzzing bees and bell[peppers] all in a row.    That's all for this week, stay tuned because next week we've got some great homesteading tips for the organized family!   Got a question or a handy tip of your own? Send it to Riley E. Carlson via Editor@HomesteadingUSA.com   Like This Post? You'll Also Like: Don't Rush to Flush | How to Conserve Toilet Water How to Grow All The Food You Need In Your Own Backyard DIY Rainwater Collecting System Hey Riley – Session 1