How to Install a Plant Trellis

An outdoor trellis provides your landscape with a rustic and colorful focal point. Use the structure to support seasonal crops like beans and peas. Alternatively, plant creepers, like sedum or grapevines, to form a lush green trellis wall that can be used as a stunning backdrop or outdoor divider for your garden. By installing a stone pathway to your trellis and around your yard, you can create for an inviting path for evening strolls. A trellis can be a permanent fixture in your garden if you ensure it is secured properly in the soil and use a nearby outbuilding, such as a detached garage or the side of your home, for added support.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Shovel
• Gravel
• Carpenter's level
• Mounting brackets
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Drill

Instructions

1. Measure the area where your plant trellis will sit. Adjust the placement to take into account any nearby structures that can help stabilize the trellis. If the trellis is close to a fence or wall, it can be secured with mounting brackets. For a freestanding trellis, anchor its "feet" into the soil to keep the trellis straight and snug.

2. Observe the area where the plant trellis will stand to ensure the flowers and plants receive at least 4 hours of sunlight. Consider installing the trellis in a different location if the light is inadequate.

3. Dig a 2- to 3-foot hole into the ground. Add a 1-inch layer of gravel on the bottom of the hole for extra security and stability for the trellis. Insert the trellis feet into the hole and fill with soil. Pack the soil around the base of the trellis to ensure it's secure.

4. Take a carpenter's level and make sure the surface is level. Adjust the trellis if it proves to be uneven. Add another layer of gravel over the soil to ensure immovability and help support the sides of the trellis.

5. Secure the trellis to a nearby fence or the side of an outbuilding for added trellis support. Attach the mounting bracket onto the back of the trellis using a screwdriver. On the adjacent side of the bracket, insert the screws into the holes on the mounting bracket and using a drill, screw them into the fence or outbuilding.

6. Give a gentle tug to ensure the trellis is securely fastened and stable. The added support will help bear and prop up any heavy vines, like those of vegetables.

Tips & Warnings

• For added support, pour fast-acting cement into the bottom of the hole. Add the feet of the trellis and allow the cement to dry for 5 minutes. This method is ideal if you don't plan to move the trellis.

• Always wear protective eyewear when using a drill.

References

• My Home Ideas
• Remodeling Center