Do you want to maximize your garden space at home? Building a trellis is the simple answer. Now, what exactly is a trellis? Simply put, it’s a framework or lattice structure designed to support climbing plants such as peas and cucumbers, encouraging them to reach new heights—quite literally! It’s best to have, especially when you have a small garden like mine. My current garden is modest, 8 x 5 meters, so I needed this. I built this trellis inside my raised bed, which is 1.2×1 meters (47.2×39.3 inches). The sizes for your raised bed could be different, but the technique is the same, so you just need to measure it and adapt what I’m doing to the sizes you are working with.
But its significance transcends mere functionality; it’s a game-changer for any aspiring gardener, and here’s why:
Vertical Space Maximization
With urbanization on the rise and garden sizes reducing, the need for space-efficient gardening solutions is greater than ever. Trellises provide a vertical retreat, allowing you to maximize your limited square footage.
Aesthetic Appeal
Who says practicality has to compromise beauty? Trellises are architectural marvels in your garden, transforming ordinary plots into fascinating landscapes. Remember that gardening isn’t just about nurturing plants—it’s about creating a sensory experience so you can experiment with how you want your trellis to look!
Here are some inspirations if you want to take it to the next level:
Healthy Growth and Maintenance
Climbing plants have an essential desire to soar, but they require guidance to reach their full potential. The trellis then becomes a support system for your plants. It promotes appropriate vine development by providing a structured framework, preventing sprawling disorder. Consider giving your plants a robust ladder to climb, ensuring that they grow upward rather than sprawling across the ground. Trellises also make pruning, watering, and harvesting easier, easing maintenance responsibilities and allowing you to spend more time enjoying your garden.
How To Build A Trellis
Note: The frame I built inside my raised bed was 1.8 m x 86 cm (70.86 x 34 inches), but you can adjust the measurement accordingly if you need a different size of trellis.
- Put the timbers (I used this timber T2.2 cm x W38 cm x L1.8 m that I bought from B&Q) on the floor on a flat surface and measure 86 cm (34 inches) between them. Now cut the timber to the right sizes and arrange them into a square frame.
- Put some wood under every corner so it will be easier for you to drill through it.
- Use screws measuring 3.5cm x 5 cm so they are not too thick, and you can drill them directly in without a pilot hole.
- Once the wood is jointed, add a bridge to each corner to make the structure more solid. Once the first side is ready, just do the same to create another side.
- Now you’ll need to add small nails along the whole perimeter of your wooden frame at 12.5cm (5 inches) intervals. Do not thread them in!
- For weaving the frame with thread, I’m using 100% cotton thread!
- Simply secure one end of the thread to the nail, and then start to weave the frame until it’s complete.
- Once the sides are done, attach the base to the inner part of the raised bed, and do the same on the other side with the second frame.
- Measure the distance between the 2 sides and attach 2 pieces of wood in between them to make it more solid.
- Cotton thread is 100% compostable, so once the plant finishes the growing cycle, you can just snip off the whole thread and compost the whole thing.
Trellis is much more than a garden accessory; it’s a must in small (and even big) gardens. Whether you’re a newbie or an expert gardener, incorporating trellis into your planting journey is a decision you won’t regret.
Happy growing!
