Creative Items to Use for a Garden Trellis

Although winter is fast approaching and gardeners have put their gardens to bed for the season, their thoughts are still on gardening, in particular, next year's garden. We gardeners will be waiting in anticipation for the first garden seed catalogs to arrive, all the while planning and designing our next year's garden. We will make decisions on what fertilizers we want to use, when to start our seeds indoors, and be checking weather predictions for the date of the last frost. Another thing gardeners will be planning is what materials they will use to make a garden trellis for their pole beans, moon flowers or other plants with clingy vines.

A garden trellis can be made from many different types of materials or a particular object can be used as a garden trellis, as long as the main function of a trellis, to provide a sturdy support for plants, is met. Besides making a trellis, a garden could by one already made, but that is not as fun as building your own.

A few Items That can be Used to Make a Trellis

Bamboo and willow branches are flexible, but sturdy and both retain the natural look of a garden.

PVC pipe is sturdy, can be disassembled for easy storage, be painted green to blend into the surrounding area and lasts longer than bamboo or willow branches.

One by one or two by two boards can also be painted green to blend into the area, are very sturdy and can last several years.

Plastic coated metal plant supports can be used individually or combined in a tee-pee structure to provide not only a support for plants, but also a play area for children.

Whichever material you use, be aware that you will need lots of twine or wire.

A few Items that can be Used as a Trellis

Old bed-springs make good trellis, but they are not very pretty, unless they are completely covered with the plant, and can rust. During the winter months, storage may be an issue, as you will not want to leave this in your garden year round.

A Sheppard's hook is a nice looking trellis, especially for morning glories or moon flowers and if it has a hummingbird feeder on the hook end.

Old wooden or iron fence sections or gates make good supportive trellis, while adding character to a garden.

Covered wagon wheels also look great covered in blooming morning glories.

Final Note: Make sure your trellis is anchored securely to the ground.

Source: Personal Experience