How to Make your Own Garden Trellis or Teepee
Teepee-style garden trellises are easy and inexpensive to make from simple materials such as jute twine and bamboo poles or slender tree branches. Vining plants such as cucumbers, peas and pole beans thrive and occupy less garden space when trained up vertically on these simple structures. Aside from increasing a garden's productivity by maximizing use of the soil's surface, trellising minimizes contact with soil-borne pests and diseases. It also provides better air circulation and access to sunshine, makes harvesting easier, allows foliage to dry off faster after rain and looks attractive. If using tree branches, trim the twigs off before using. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 6 bamboo poles or tree branches, 7 feet by 2 inches
- Roll of jute twine
- Scissors
Instructions
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Till and amend the soil where the vines will grow. Add lots of organic matter to create the rich, loose loam vegetable plants prefer. Form a circle with the bamboo poles or branches evenly spaced about 6 inches apart. Sink the largest end of each pole into the soil to a depth of about 8 inches.
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2
Cut a piece of twine about a yard long and set it aside within easy reach. Begin gathering the top ends of the sticks together to angle them like the poles of a teepee. Grab two poles that are opposite each other and draw them together to form an "x." Lash them together where they cross, tie a knot, and leave the twine dangling.
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Repeat step 2 with the remaining four poles, crossing opposing pairs and lashing them to the teepee structure. Wrap the cord repeatedly around the crossing point at the tops of the poles, tying a knot occasionally until the cord is completely twined around the group of poles.
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Plant seeds or sets near the base of each pole. As the vines emerge, gently direct them up the poles. Remember to pick cucumbers before they become overlarge and heavy.
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Tips & Warnings
When pruning trees, shrubs and grapevines, save healthy branches for constructing teepees and rustic trellises. Don't use diseased branches in trellises, because they can spread problems to vines.
Teepee trellises are not appropriate for all vining vegetables. Stronger structures, such as chain link fencing, are necessary if trellising small squash or melons. Attach slings made from old nylons to the trellis to support the vegetables.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
