[Topscaff]

Hi my neighbour has cut down the old hedge between us (With my permission) as it was past it's best and he is replacing it with a 6' wooden fence what I would like to know is what can I grow up against it? it's north facing, could I grow courgettes on a trellis or something like that? thanks in anticipation Mike.

[Kleftiwallah]

If the fence is up, then it is up.  If you had asked your neibour to erect a fence with a louvre effect to allow sun through but keep the privacy.  .  .  . 

I don't think there are any veg' that will grow in this situation at this time of year.  North facing is a bit of a beggar too.   Thornless Brambles is the only thing I can come up with, but others may be able to help.     Cheers,   Tony.

[shokkyy]

You'd be surprised what will do well on a north-facing fence. I've got a fence like that, which is also quite shaded by huge oak and ash trees. When I moved into the house someone had planted a passiflora against the fence, which is supposed to be very tender, and it had done so well it had leapt up into the trees and was a good 20 feet high

Even if something doesn't necessarily climb all that well on its own, you could always help it by tying it in. Peas are good climbers and some climbing beans would do it with a bit of help. And my winter squash this year have been very keen to leap up my pea canes and the chainlink fence around the bed, though if the fruit are big you might need to support them. Cucumbers can climb well too. I guess it depends how much sun you're likely to get there, whether there's any shade or not.

[sunshineband]

Morello cherries don't mind north facing situations, and you can train the tree into a fan on the fence.

[Topscaff]

Thanks everyone some good ideas there not sure which one or ones I will use yet I will keep you posted, Mike