DIY Garden Trellises: To Craft or Not to Craft? That is the Gardener's Question
Who doesn’t love a good DIY? I know I do! Gardening, with its tapestry of colors and textures, often beckons the creative spirit in us. When it comes to garden trellises, the question arises: to DIY or not to DIY?
For some that’s not even a question as we can be bound by budget to reuse, forage, or create our own trellises. But when we have the option to create our own or buy, is there a time when one wins over the other? Let's navigate the verdant landscape of considerations to help you decide when crafting your garden trellis is a flourishing idea and when it might be wise to opt for pre-made solutions.
Bean teepee that creates a living hideout for kids in the garden. So magical!
When to DIY Your Garden Trellis:
I don’t know a garden that doesn’t have a customization inside of it. It’s part of what makes each garden unique. You will always have special unique needs to your garden and crafting a trellis allows you to tailor the design to fit a specific area, dimensions or aesthetic that you may not be able to find in a store or online. These can be created to accommodate the individual needs of your plants and garden layout. And also the specific vision you have for your garden by infusing your personality and your personal touch into your design.
DIY’ing your own trellis can be, as I mentioned, a budget-friendly alternative, especially when using readily available materials like bamboo, twine or recycled woods. For a frugal gardener, crafting your own offers an economical way to provide support of those climbing or vining plants. Crafting can also satisfy the pleasure of creating something with our own hands. Many gardeners enjoy the creation of their garden from seed to harvest and adding in the creative process of crafting with the trellis can often help a gardener find fulfillment in seeing their space adorned with structures that they have personally created.
If this all sounds like you, I think that DIY trellising is the way to go!
Beans on an arch add a magical moment in the garden.
When Not to DIY Your Garden Trellis:
However, if creating your garden from seed to harvest and being surrounded by beautiful blooms is where your heart lies, then creating your own trellis may not be for you. And that’s ok!
Many gardeners have time constraints due to busy schedules. Balancing or juggling work, kids, house, pets, seeds, plantings, can all be enough and adding a DIY project to your list would just make it too overwhelming. This is a legit concern for many as they have built their garden and committed themselves to a certain amount of time, which doesn’t include building. It can also be a hassle trying to source or hunt down specific materials with consistent quality.
It can also be difficult for those that aren’t crafters to come up or create specific features, such as adjustable height or built in mechanisms for easy plant maintenance. This can be much easier to buy a pre-made trellis that is designed for your specific needs. All in, when the time, materials, features, longevity of materials, just don’t work with your abilities or time, then DIY is not for you regardless of how rewarding it can be. Because while trying to be cost effective, your time is still valuable and so is your sanity.
Premade trellis are often black coated steel
If you do find yourself ready to be creative, with the time and the materials to craft a trellis there are a few types that I highly recommend but I use for very specific plants. I can’t live without these 4 types of trellis in the garden:
A-Frame Trellis:
Materials: Wooden or bamboo poles, screws, twine or garden netting.
How to Make: Form an A-shape by joining two poles at the top and securing them at the base. Repeat for the other side. Connect the two A-frames at the top, creating a triangular shape. Attach the twine or netting for plants to climb.
Cattle Panel Arch Trellis:
Materials: Cattle panel, metal stakes or rebar, zip ties.
How to Make: Arch the cattle panel to form a tunnel or arch shape. Secure the ends with metal stakes or rebar pounded into the ground. Attach the panel to the stakes using zip ties. This creates a sturdy and visually appealing tunnel for climbing plants.
Bamboo Teepee Trellis
Materials: Bamboo poles, twine or jute string.
How to Make: Bundle several bamboo poles together at the top and secure them with twine or jute string. Spread the poles out, creating a teepee shape, and secure them at the base. Wrap additional twine or string horizontally around the structure to create climbing support.
Rectangular Trellis:
Materials: Wooden or bamboo poles, screws, twine or garden netting
How to Make: Create a rectangular or square frame using wood or poles in the shape of a narrow box. Attach twine or garden netting to the frame, providing support for climbing vegetables.
Remember to choose materials that are weather-resistant as they will be exposed to elements. These DIY trellis ideas are versatile, allowing you to customize the size and design based on your garden's specific needs. Additionally, they offer sturdy support for climbing plants, optimize space, and add an aesthetic element to your vegetable garden.
In the delightful realm of gardening, the decision to DIY your trellis or not is as varied as the plants that grace your green space. I always recommend growing vertically in some capacity in the garden. It cuts down on potential for disease and increases airflow for the plants. Balancing your preferences, available resources, and the specific needs of your garden will guide you to the trellis solution that aligns with both your practical considerations and creative aspirations. Whether you find joy in crafting or seek the convenience of ready-made solutions, the journey is, after all, a flourishing adventure in the garden.
