A garden trellis can be an important element within any garden that has vining or trailing plants. A strong trellis lends support to plants as they grow, and will keep the crops healthy, as they will not have to lie on the damp ground. Plants that benefit the most from a trellis include squash, melons, snow peas, cucumbers and tomatoes. A trellis is easy to build from posts and twine, and will offer both support and additional growing room for vining plants. Construct a simple trellis out of 1-by-2 posts and twine. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Design, Build & Cultivate a Garden Trellis Vine
1. Choose the trellis pattern that best suits your garden's needs. The trellis can be either narrow or wide, and tall or short. Base your decision on the plants you are growing and the available space. Narrow trellises are best for small spaces, and work well against a wall that is adjacent to the garden. Use a wide trellis (about 4 feet) for vegetables like squash. A short trellis works best with vegetables like cucumbers, and tall trellises can be used for snow peas. Construct your trellis with either wood or wrought iron posts; wood will not last as long as wrought iron trellis, but if you choose wrought iron, select posts that are painted white to reflect the sun's rays.
2. Place two end posts about 15 feet apart and firmly set them into the ground about 18 inches deep. Place another post at the midway point between the two original posts. Again, firmly set this post into the ground. Check to ensure that all three posts are level.
3. Place another post, or crosspiece, across all three posts. Drill through the top post into the end posts and the middle post.
4. Drill screws through the outside posts and into the crosspiece at 1-foot intervals so that twine can be fastened to the posts. Tie the twine around each screw and then screw it into the post to ensure its stability. The twine will go around the trellis horizontally and then vertically. Wrap the twine around each screw, then secure the screw to the post. As you string the twine vertically, knot it where it crosses the horizontal twine.
5. Train the vines to climb the twine by loosely tying the main stem of the plant to the twine with twist ties. Train the vines to grow in the direction you prefer.
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