DIY Trellis

Cattle panels at ranch supply all stacked neatly.

Trellises offer an upright place to grow and are a fine addition to any garden. They are easy to make and will provide support for plants that vine, climb or put out tendrils that grab onto anything they come in contact with. Arch type trellises are useful for ornamental or vegetable type plants. They are best made of durable materials that will last more than a few growing seasons.

Things You'll Need

• Cattle panel 16 feet by 48 inches
• T-post clips
• Four 5-foot-tall T-posts
• 10-foot piece of rope
• Hammer
• Scrap lumber
• Pliers

Instructions

Purchase Panel and T-posts

1. Purchase a cattle panel and four 5-foot T-posts at your local farm and ranch supply store. T-posts come with a package of metal clips. Cattle panels are 16 feet long, various widths and will require a truck for transport.

2. 

   Example of a garden arch

   Determine how wide to make the walkway through the trellis arch. The standard width for a walkway is 48 inches but you can make it wider according to your needs. Allow for a layer of foliage to occupy this space. Bend the panel trellis into arch with the help of a buddy and some rope. Tie the rope to one narrow edge of the panel. Place cattle panel against a wall and slowly bend the opposite side of it until close to the desired width. Secure this width with the rope to create the arch.

3. 

   A hammer is used to pound the T-posts.

   Move the trellis arch to you chosen site and where it can stand on its own. Using a hammer and a scrap piece of lumber, pound a T-post at each side edge of the arch, into the ground until the wing of the T-post is buried into the ground. Hammer all four posts into place.

4. Secure arch to T-post using clips supplied. Clip fits around the bottom part of the "T" when looking at the post from the top. Secure the loose ends of the clip around the horizontal wires on the cattle panel using a pair of pliers to twist it around, securing it to the T-post. Complete attaching panel to all four posts. Remove the rope from arch and you are finished and ready to plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Vining flowers and vegetables planted in boxes that are the same width as the trellis are very attractive and make a shady walkway.

• The help of a buddy can prevent panel from springing open when attaching rope.

References

• University of Florida: Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Leon County Extension: Flower Vine for Trellis

Resources

• All About Planters: Using Trellises