But for decades, gardeners have preferred to either stake or cage tomatoes, that is grow them vertically, for several reasons. They take up less space. They seem to develop fewer diseases because the leaves aren't lying on the ground in contact with soil-borne organisms. And you can harvest your crop standing up. Beans are another example of a vegetable that likes to grow up, assuming you pick the right variety.
Beans are available as bush types or as climbers, also known as pole beans.
Bush beans seldom grow taller than a couple of feet, whereas pole beans will climb five or six times as tall. Cucumbers are still another excellent example of a vegetable that likes to grow vertically. But, again, it's important that you pick the right variety. For example, a bush-type cucumber's vines won't grow more than a couple of feet out from the base of the plant. The more familiar vining cucumber is an aggressive climber whether grown on a trellis, a fence, or a section of reinforced steel mesh that's been stuck in an oak barrel.