Part 2 of 2
When utilizing a trellis to grow plants, it’s important to consider the type of plant being grown on the trellis. The strength of the trellis should be adjusted according to the weight of the plant.
Plants like green beans, peas and miniature pumpkins do not require a heavy-duty trellis system. They will grow well on a lightweight wire or net attached to two posts. Beans and peas will grow up twine that has been stretched several feet into the air. Heavier melons or squash will require a heavy gauge wire such as a cattle or hog panel or a welded wire fence firmly affixed to deeply planted stakes.
A common type of trellis utilized for tomatoes and sometimes for eggplants and peppers is a “cage.” These wire cages are usually cone shaped and need to have a stake or two in their center to prevent the plant from collapsing the cage. A gardener can also make their own circular or box shaped cages. Cages allow a plant to branch through the cage’s sides, and the branches can be tied to the cage sides for support.
A gardener can make their own teepee system with eight foot poles that can be gathered at the top and tied or wired together. The bamboo, metal or wood poles are spread in a ring, “teepee style.” The teepee can be wrapped with net or lightweight wire to provide support for things like squash or beans. The poles can also be used to train vining tomatoes to grow up the poles. If the teepee isn’t wrapped in anything, flowers or green can be grown on the inside of the teepee.
An A-frame trellis can be created by planting a row of stakes and running wire or mesh on both sides of the stakes to form an Aframe. An A-frame can be used to grow a variety of plants along either side of the A-frame.
Probably the simplest trellis is a row trellis that is created by sinking wood, PVC-pipe or metal stakes in the ground and placing wire, mesh or net between the stakes. The row trellis can also be customized by making a horizontal frame of the same wood, PVC-pipe or metal. Twine or wire can be made to stretched between the upper and lower sections in the frame to create a customized trellis.
Don’t forget that a trellis doesn’t always have to vertical. Plants can climb posts and grow across a panel roof that is erected over the top of the posts. If you are growing a plant with a lot of height, a very dramatic trellis can be created by allowing small gourds to dangle through a trellis canopy.
Remember that a garden trellis is an easy way to maximize garden space. A trellis doesn’t have to be fancy; it’s simply a way to get plants up off the ground. You can use materials that you have at home to create a trellis to suit your needs. You will increase your garden yield and expand your garden options.
Questions or comments related to gardening? Contact Joleen at missourigardener@hotmail.com.