By Ellen Russell
Garden trellises are functional as well as beautiful. A garden trellis is an attractive way to support climbing plants.Garden trellises are most often seen in decorative gardens and flower beds, but can be used to support traveling vegetable plants, too. Cucumbers, peas, beans, tomatoes, and many varieties of squash can be trained and grown on a garden trellis. Growing vegetables on garden trellises saves precious garden space and deters rot and fungus by keeping fruit off the moist ground and out of the dirt. What's more, a garden trellis is an attractive, decorative addition to any vegetable garden, making your vegetable garden more than just a practical growing space.
Choosing Construction Materials
Before you begin building your garden trellis, consider the plant varieties that will be climbing on it. This will determine how heavily constructed your garden trellis should be.
Lighter vines like ivy, clematis and honeysuckle do not need as heavily built a garden trellis. Build the trellis frame for light climbers using 2 x 2 inch boards, and half-inch lath or pre-constructed lattice. Use a light trellis such as this for annual climbers like morning glories.
Vegetable plants can be grown on lighter constructed trellises as well, but heavier constructions will last for several seasons. For a trellis that lasts a season or two, build a frame from 1 x 2 inch board and cover it with wire mesh.
Heavy climbing plants and long-lasting vegetable trellises require the sturdiest construction of all. Likewise, perennial climbing plants (such as wisteria, grapes, and roses) that will grow over the same trellis year after year need this heavily constructed support. Frame heavy garden trellises with 2 x 4 inch boards; cover the garden trellis with woven half-inch lath or one by two inch latticework.
When longevity is a priority, use pressure-treated lumber to build the garden trellis. Rot- and insect-repellent woods like cedar, cypress, or redwood can be used as well. Use one of these long-lasting woods for any posts buried underground. Other woods are acceptable for above-ground parts, but should be painted with at least two coats of exterior paint.
Constructing the Trellis
Build a four-sided frame with the chosen lumber. To the frame, attach pre-constructed latticework, or weave one-half inch lath and secure at every strip end to attach to the wood frame. Use galvanized nails to attach the frame.
Use galvanized steel corner brackets to firm heavy frames (this is also advisable, though less of a necessity, on lighter constructions). Corner braces keep the frame sturdy and square over several seasons.
Permanently placed garden trellises should have posts on each end to hold the frame. Posts should extend two feet into the ground. Garden trellises placed next to walls need to allow at least four inches of clearance for ventilation to keep plants healthy and prevent rot on the building. A hinged base will make maintenance of the garden trellis easier.
Garden trellises make growing climbing plants and vegetables easier and more attractive. A well-built garden trellis provides excellent plant support for seasons to come, with minimal maintenance and plant care required.
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