How to Build a Sunflower Stalk Trellis

Long ago American Indians used companion planting with Sunflowers and climbing crops like beans and peas. The sunflowers provided a natural trellis for the climbing plants. After the flower season, sunflower stalks can be put to good use in the garden by assembling them into trellises for next season’s climbers, or cages to support plants like tomatoes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sunflower stalk
• String or Plastic Garden Tie
• Garden Pruning Sheers
• Clear Water Seal Spray

1. Once the sunflowers season has ended, use pruning sheers to cut the stalks off at ground level and remove any branches or leave.
2. Select two strong stalks to use as trellis sides and cut several smaller pieces for cross members.
3. Assemble the side poles and cross members so that they resemble a small ladder.
4. A Simple Trellis Attach the cross members to the supports using string or plastic plant tie, that can be bought at most garden centers.
5. As an option for added durability, spray trellises with clear water seal spray.
6. A Vine Finds a Home Variations - The above configuration can be used for a nice small trellis, or three or four such ladder trellises can be connected together to make a great three or four sided trellis or plant cage. Alternatively, a larger trellis can be made, by assembling three or more vertical stalks with cross members. Depending on the use intended for a particular trellis, vertical and horizontal supports can be spaced from six to eighteen inches apart.
   
   With a little creativity sunflower stalks can be assembled into small garden fences or even arbors.