How to Build a Cheap and Easy Trellis

A trellis is great for adding a vertical element to your yard or saving space on an apartment patio or balcony. They work well for growing anything from moon flowers (fragrant flowers that open at night) to even cantaloupe! Avoid buying an expensive store bought trellis for the climbing plants in your garden by making one of your own. You won't need to do any sawing or use any power tools to put this quick, easy trellis together in about 20 minutes. The bamboo stakes and reeds can be bought for just a couple of dollars at places like Home Depot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 six foot 1" diameter bamboo stakes (
• 1 package of 4-6 foot bamboo reeds
• roll of twine
• sharp scissors or pruning shears
• an 5 ft outdoor spot
• a hammer or mallet

1. 
   1. Lay stakes parallel

   Lay the bamboo stakes parallel about 4-5 ft apart on the ground depending on how wide you want the finished trellis to be.

2. 
   2. Lay canes on top of stakes

   Lay the bamboo cane in parallel rows on top of the stakes perpendicular to them. This fleshes out your trellis. Break or cut the ends of the thin canes so that they are even in length and so they extend 4-5 inches beyond the stakes on either side. When setting them out, space them evenly but leave a foot at the bottom of the stakes so that there is room to drive them into the ground.

3. 
   3. Lash stakes and cane together

   Use pieces of the twine to lash the canes to the stakes according to the pattern, size, and spacing you have set your trellis out. Wrap the twine once each way around the intersection, tie it in the back, and trim the ends with scissors. It is important to get the knots as tight as possible because the bamboo is slippery and does not grip easily.

4. 
   4. Loop twine around each rung

   Cut 6-7 7' pieces of twine. Take one at a time and tie it securely to the bottom "rung" of your trellis. Loop it tightly around each rung working your way to the top and then tie it to the last one. Repeat this for each length of twine. These form the vertical climbing supports creating a quick trellis.

5. 

   Now you are ready to install your easy trellis. Position it about 4-5 inches out from a wall or fence. Pick your spot according to the amount of sunlight your plants will need. Use a hammer or mallet to tap it into the ground. Move back and forth doing each stake one inch at a time until the bottom rung is an inch or two from the ground. Once it is in the ground, you're ready to plant!

Tips & Warnings

• Lash the cane and stakes together as tightly as possible. If you can position the cane right above a knuckle in the bamboo, this will help keep it in place. Use rough twine or wire for the best grip
• When hammering into the ground, make sure to do each side a little at a time so it doesn't put stress on your tied joints.
• If you're saving space and using a trellis to grow melons, when they start to develop, fit a pantyhose or knee high around them and attach it to the trellis for support. Since this trellis is light weight, secure it to a fence if you are growing something heavy.
• This is a lightweight trellis so will work well near a fence or building but might not be strong enough to stand on its own

[showpup]

on 5/20/2009 What an easy way to make something beautiful! I'm looking for unique ways to grow garden plants this year and this looks like a winner! Thanks 5 stars

[eliptica]

on 3/9/2009 What a great idea. I will do this for my tomato vines. Thanks.

[Feather]

on 8/1/2008 Awesome! I can't wait to plant some things around our new (old) house in the country!

[thesquirrelymom]

on 7/27/2008 This is genius!

[LAURA7088]

on 7/27/2008 Very cool, can't wait to try this!