How to Trellis Vegetable Plants: A Beginner’s Guide
How to Trellis Vegetable Plants: A Beginner’s Guide
Trellising vegetable plants is a great way to make the most of your garden space, keep plants healthy, and create a beautiful garden in the process. Whether you have a small space, a sprawling vegetable garden, or want to try something new, adding a plant trellis is one of the easiest ways to grow vertically. Let’s break it down!
General Tips for Trellising
- Pick the Right Material
Trellises can be made from all kinds of natural materials, like bamboo poles and wood, or popular materials like metal and plastic. Chicken wire or garden twine are budget-friendly options for a quick DIY setup.- For lightweight plants like sugar snap peas, a string trellis is perfect.
- For heavier plants like tomatoes or cucumbers, go for sturdier options like metal trellises or wooden stakes.
- Match the Trellis to the Plant
Not all plants climb the same way. Some plants are natural climbers and will grab on with tendrils, while others need a little help in the form of string or fabric ties. Always match your type of plant to the right plant support and style. - Consider Your Space
If you’re working with a small garden or raised bed, compact trellis supports like chicken wire or wooden fencing can fit right in. Larger gardens might benefit from tall vertical structures, including an A-frame or teepee-style trellis. - Secure the Trellis and Plants
Always anchor your trellis deep into the ground or use a tree or other anchor point to prevent it from toppling over in a strong wind. Use zip ties, eye hooks, or hemp twine to stabilize it, and tie twine around non-vining plants to hold them up to the trellis. - Placement is Key
Place your trellis in full sun to keep your plants happy and productive. Position it on the north side of your garden if it’s tall, so it won’t cast much-needed shade over shorter plants.
Trellising Tips for Specific Vegetables and Plants
Tomatoes
- Indeterminate tomatoes need a lot of vertical support as they keep growing all season. Use tomato cages, tall wooden stakes, or a sturdy metal trellis.
- Tie the tomato plants to the trellis with soft fabric or garden twine to avoid damaging the plant stems.
Cucumbers
- A trellis is the best way to grow cucumber plants and keep their fruits off the ground. Use a tall structure with square holes for the vines to climb.
- Support long vines with gentle ties to prevent breakage.
Peas (Sweet Peas, Sugar Snap Peas)
- Pea varieties are natural climbers, so a string trellis, chicken wire, or lightweight bamboo stakes are great options.
- Set up the trellis in early spring, ideally when planting, since peas start vining quickly.
Pole Beans
- These fast-growing vines love a tall teepee trellis made from bamboo poles or wood. They’ll climb all on their own, making them a fun way to add height to your garden.
Melons (Small Melons)
- For small melons, a sturdy trellis can save garden space and keep fruits clean. Use a strong support structure, and create slings from fabric to cradle the fruits as they get bigger.
Fun DIY Trellis Ideas
- Bamboo Teepee: Tie together bamboo poles in a cone shape—perfect for beans or cucumbers.
- String Trellis: Attach garden twine or hemp string to a frame or even two strong sticks or poles for peas and other small natural climbers.
- A-Frame Trellis: Build a hinged structure for easy access to climbing vegetables.
- Repurposed Materials: Use an old ladder, chicken wire, or wooden pallets to create unique and affordable trellises.
Why Trellis? The Benefits of Going Vertical
Trellising isn’t just about saving garden space—it also:
- Improves air circulation, reducing the risk of plant diseases.
- Makes harvesting easier and cleaner.
- Creates a beautiful garden with climbing vines adding height and interest.
With the right trellis and plant support, your garden plants will be happier, healthier, and more productive.
Staking is also important for flowers like gladiolus. Here’s how and when to support them.
