I'm working with a small 10x10 garden that's surrounded by a chicken wire fence to keep deer and my dog away. Last year, I built a bamboo trellis but it didn't work out for me—it wasn't tall enough. I'm now looking to create a taller trellis for growing beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and probably squash. I'm unsure about the best options to use, considering my garden is pretty basic and square.
3 Answers
For a sturdy and tall trellis on a budget, I've used 7ft t-posts with 8ft furring strips attached using zip ties. Then I stretched trellis netting in between them. It worked beautifully for my tomatoes and cucumbers! Just be mindful that the t-posts will sink when you pound them into the ground. For an even cheaper alternative, 5-6 ft posts would still be strong enough!
I've had great luck using 10ft chainlink fence top rails. They're affordable, and I drive them about 1.5-2ft into the ground with a post driver. The narrower end of the rail makes a good top bar, and I lash saplings on for extra support. It's solid and should hold up well for your plants!
Bamboo works well if you're looking for something cheap. Tall bamboo can get pricey, but it's often free if you find someone with an overgrown patch they want to clear. It grows really tall, too! You could also use nylon netting, tying the ends to your fence. If you have the budget, consider a cattle panel to create an archway. It not only looks cool, but it really helps with easy harvesting!
That’s a great idea! I actually have spare wood and cattle panel from last year that I didn’t end up using. I might combine those.
How do you actually pound in those posts? Do you use a ladder for it?