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Writer's pictureCarib Sunsations

Unique Companion Planting: How We Grew Passionfruit and Cucumbers on a Trellis with an Olle Gardens Raised Bed


With my New Olle Garden Raised Bed
Ready to open my Olle Garden Raised Bed

Raised beds have become a favorite tool for gardeners of all levels, offering flexibility, better soil management, and a beautiful addition to any yard.

When Olle Gardens sent us their 12-in-1 galvanized steel raised garden bed, we couldn’t wait to test its versatility and durability.

Inspired by our earlier success growing sweet potatoes, we set out on a new gardening experiment: pairing passionfruit and cucumbers on a trellis.

What started as a simple setup became a stunning display of companion planting success, with climbing vines thriving and intertwining on a custom trellis system. Here’s how we made it happen.

Olle Garden Bed With Climbing Sweet Potato Vines On A Trellis
Olle Garden Raised Bed With Sweet Potatoes On A Trellis

Why Choose the Olle Gardens Raised Garden Bed?

The Olle Gardens raised bed stands out for its high-quality galvanized steel construction and 12-in-1 configuration, allowing for multiple setup options. It’s durable, resistant to rust, and perfect for various plants and gardening styles.

After dedicating our first Olle Gardens bed exclusively to sweet potatoes, we decided to purchase a second one for a companion planting project along the fence.

The long, rectangular setup offered ample room for planting and easy access for harvesting.

Its sleek design complemented our backyard while providing a sturdy foundation for our trellis gardening system.

Pointing at one of the 12 Olle Garden Raised Bed Options
Choosing the right configuration for m 12-in-1 Olle Garden Raised Bed

Setting Up the Raised Bed

The assembly process was straightforward and well-documented in the user manual. Here’s a quick rundown of the steps we followed:

  1. Unboxing: The kit arrived neatly packaged, complete with safety gloves and all necessary parts.

  2. Laying Out Components: We spread everything out to ensure no pieces were missing.

  3. Assembly: Following the manual, we secured the panels together to create the longest configuration.

  4. Placement: We positioned the assembled bed along the fence to maximize sunlight and integrate with our garden layout.

The entire process was filmed for our YouTube channel, with sped-up footage showcasing just how simple it was to assemble the bed.

Building my new raised bed by Olle Garden
Putting together the 24x96 Olle Garden bed Configuration

Installing a Trellised Companion Planting System

Once the bed was assembled, we added a large trellis over it to support climbing plants. A small passionfruit vine was actually planted outside of the raised bed at one end, with cucumber seeds sown throughout the inside of the raised bed.

The idea was to create a shared space where both plants could thrive vertically and simultaneously be supported by the trellis.

Passionfruit and cucumbers are ideal companions in this setup, as both benefit from trellising and have complementary growth habits. Also, The passion fruit leaves provide great shade for younger cucumber plants.

Depending on your grow zone, with a mature passion fruit vine covering your Olle Gardens Raised Bed, you can literally protect your plants from harsh sun conditions and extend the cucumber growing season.

Ready to set and fill my Olle Garden Raised Bed
Adjusting the trellis over my Olle Garden Raised Bed

Challenges and Adjustments

Over six months, the passionfruit vine grew so vigorously that it began outgrowing the initial trellis. We installed an additional trellis to provide extra space for the vine to spread, ensuring it wouldn’t overshadow the cucumbers.

Now that second trellis is completely covered in passion fruit vine, as well as the other side of the fence in my neighbors yard has passion fruit vines going there too and it is all from the original plant.

The cucumber vines, meanwhile, climbed gracefully through the trellis, intertwining with the passionfruit. This setup not only maximized vertical space but also created a lush, visually appealing garden feature.

Olle Garden Raised Bed under large passion fruit vines
Passion fruit vine draped over 2 large trellises

Benefits of Companion Planting with Trellises

Pairing cucumbers and passionfruit in a raised bed with a trellis offers several benefits:

  1. Efficient Use of Space: Vertical gardening allows for more plants in a smaller footprint.

  2. Healthier Plants: Trellised plants get better airflow, reducing the risk of disease.

  3. Natural Support: Climbing plants like passionfruit and cucumbers can share trellis structures without competing excessively for nutrients.

This combination worked beautifully in our Olle Gardens raised bed, resulting in strong, productive vines and a plentiful harvest.

passion fruit and cucumber vines producing fruit
Cucumbers growing under passion fruit vine

Harvesting Cucumbers: The Reward

Six months after planting, the raised bed was a lush, green haven of climbing vines and thriving plants. The video captures the joy of harvesting cucumbers from the intertwined vines.

With the trellis providing sturdy support, the cucumbers grew straight and easy to pick.

Holding the freshly harvested cucumber in hand was a satisfying reminder of the success of our companion planting experiment.

Passion fruit vine on two trellises over Olle Garden Raised Bed and pineapple trees
Passion fruit vine on two trellises producing flowers

Tips for Successful Trellised Companion Planting

If you’re inspired to try a similar project, here are a few tips:

  • Choose Compatible Plants: Look for plants with similar sunlight, water, and soil requirements.

  • Plan for Growth: Install trellises early and consider adding additional supports as plants grow.

  • Prune Regularly: Trim back excessive growth to prevent overcrowding and ensure all plants get enough sunlight.

  • Maximize Raised Bed Space: Use the bed for a mix of climbing plants and ground-level herbs or vegetables.

passion fruit vine producing many ripe fruits
Passion fruit ready to be picked off the vine

Why We Love the Olle Gardens Raised Bed

The Olle Gardens 12-in-1 galvanized steel raised garden bed has become an indispensable part of our garden. Its durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal make it a perfect choice for gardeners looking to experiment with unique planting ideas.

Our companion planting project with passionfruit and cucumbers was a resounding success, showcasing the potential of vertical gardening and the benefits of a well-designed raised bed.

finishing up the assembly of my Olle Gardens Raised Bed
Installing rubber edge with safety gloves from Olle Gardens

Watch the Full Process on YouTube

Want to see our Olle Gardens raised bed in action? Watch our video below to follow the step-by-step assembly process, trellis installation, and final harvest. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more gardening tips and inspiration!

Ready to transform your garden? Check out the Olle Gardens Raised Garden Bed here and start your companion planting journey today!


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