Stabilizing a Freestanding Trellis

A freestanding trellis allows you to grow climbing plants in containers or in other areas where you can't install a trellis permanently in the ground. These trellis structures aren't always stable, especially once they are subjected to the weight of mature plants. The trellis may tip over if it is not anchored correctly. Guy wires exert pressure on both sides of each trellis leg so the support can't fall in either direction.

Things You'll Need

• Eye hooks
• Wire or twine
• Stakes

Instructions

1. Measure up each trellis leg one-third to the top. Mark this spot on each leg with a pencil.

2. Screw a small eye hook into the front and the back side of the leg at the pencil mark. Repeat for each leg.

3. Loop and tie a wire or length of twine through each eye hook. Tie the other end of each length of wire to a 6- to 8-inch stake.

4. Hammer the stakes into the ground. Pull the wires taut before hammering the stake. The wires stretching out from each side of the trellis stabilize the trellis so it can't fall forward or backward.

Tips & Warnings

• If the trellis can't be anchored to the ground with wires, Nail a 1-by-1-inch board to each side of the trellis leg. Place these boards at an angle so the opposite ends rest on the ground and provide support for the trellis legs on each side.

• Wires pose a tripping hazard in the garden. Tie plastic flags to them or wrap them in brightly colored duct tape so they are more visible.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: Trellises and Cages to Support Garden Vegetables