Cuke Question

Kind of following on from the post by Too many seeds re cucumber tendrils...
... Last year i totally failed to build any kind of frame for my cucumbers and the sprawled across the soil quite happily, producing more fruit than i could eat or give away or pickle or compost! Is it an accepted way of growing cukes without any frame work? Should i put some straw down this year if i don't get round to building a frame? (they did fine without it last year) Anyone else neglect their Cucumbers and don't give them anything to climb up from?

thanks in advance for advice and for your own cuke stories
Kate

Thanks MOS - i must have been on outdoor cucumber in a previuos life!!!!