How to Choose the Best Trellis for Your Garden (2024)
There's a lot of variety in trellis type and appearance, but it doesn't need to be overwhelming to pick one to suit your needs.
Homemade crop trellis. A lot of veggie gardeners make their own trellises out of some pretty basic supplies. All you need are two metal or wooden vertical supports (three if it's pretty wide). Pound them into the ground about 1 foot (0.3 meter) deep, spaced 5 or 6 feet (1.5 or 1.8 meters) apart. Using staples, nails, zip-ties or wire, suspend some type of mesh or netting between the supports. Many people opt for galvanized fencing or chicken wire, but make sure you pick something sturdy enough to support any large crops. Price: less than $20 for basic supplies
Ladders and cages. The less ambitious vegetable grower can probably get by just fine with an affordable metal ladder or cage. Just stick 'em in the ground or container and watch the plants climb! Price: less than $10
Flat trellis. These portable trellises can be moved around (as long as nothing is currently growing on them), to wherever you need a pop of color or a little privacy. They are particularly good for climbing roses. Those do have an expected height and width, so choose a trellis that matches up with its growth potential. Otherwise, the roses will get all tangled up and be susceptible to disease. Although it seems counterintuitive, be sure to snake the roses horizontally on the trellis, rather than pushing them vertically. This will result in a stunning wall of blooms. Price: There's a big range, depending on how fancy you want to get. About $40 for a straightforward wood trellis while an ornate metal trellis can cost $200 and up.
Arch trellis. Another great option for flowering vines are arch trellises, which are larger in size, similar to a doorway. These are not for every garden, since they make such a statement. Price: Again, there's a big range. Walmart offers a simple metal arch trellis for $25, while more detailed ones go for hundreds of dollars.
Obelisks. These pieces make a serious decorative statement and can be placed directly in the ground or in a container. Again, make sure you're getting the right size because you don't want a small obelisk to be totally overwhelmed by an overenthusiastic climber. Price: A cool steel trellis may cost $300; a simple expanding wood one meanwhile $25.
Teepee trellis. Another cool homemade option, the teepee trellis is three stakes of some building material (usually metal, wood or even bamboo). Stick one end of each in the ground at an angle, then affix together at the top. Price: less than $10
A-frame trellis. Similar to the teepee trellis, but with only two pieces. Plant on each side, then sit back and enjoy the angular growth. Price: less than $10
Wall trellis. Only install this type of trellis if you're OK with it being permanent. The wall trellis attaches to — not surprisingly — a wall. Then plant climbers at the base. Another beautiful way to hide an ugly or otherwise unimpressive outdoor wall space. Price: starting at $50 and up, depending on how big/detailed
It's essential to consider the specific needs of your plants when selecting a trellis. Some plants, such as heavy vines, require sturdy and durable trellises, while lighter plants may thrive on more delicate structures. Understanding your plant's needs is the first step in choosing the perfect trellis.
We recommend a trellis that's tall enough to accommodate growing vines, but not so tall that you'd have to stretch to pick. Our trellises measure 6 feet tall, but anywhere from 4 to 6 feet will work for growing most vining plants vertically. If your vines begin to grow out of hand, pinch off the top tip of the vine.
Metal garden trellis are the heaviest and sturdiest option available, especially when they are built with thick steel material. Some steel tubes that can be used to build trellises are painted.
In my garden a depth of about 18 inches works well. If you have heavy clay soil, 12 inches may suffice. In extremely soft, friable soil, 24 inches may be needed. In practice, therefore, I use a 7-1/2-foot pole for a 6-foot-high trellis.
Choose the right location to garden vertically – Trellises can block the sun from reaching your garden if placed in the wrong location. To maximize sunlight, position trellises on the north edge of your garden bed or next to a fence or wall.
Some of the most popular choices are natural fibers such as hemp, jute, and sisal since they offer strength and durability on top of being eco-friendly. Synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polypropylene, are also frequently used, as they are strong and have increased resistance to water.
Metal is the sturdiest material for a trellis. It is strong, and it will not break apart under stress, however, it is important to use a metal which will not easily rust in the rain, and which has been welded, not woven together.
From our experience, the two most effective tomato trellising techniques are using sturdy, square cages and using twine weaved between plants. We use both techniques in our garden, but for different situations. Using cages to trellis tomatoes is a great technique for several different situations.
If using single-plant trellises, you'll need one for each plant. Other trellises, like the Freyr trellis, are designed to hold a number of plants at the same time. The exact number of plants will depend on the crop, but as an example, a single Freyr trellis can support six tomato plants.
Five to six feet is the optimal height for a cucumber trellis because it allows the plant to grow to its full potential while making harvesting easier for the gardener. There is no need for a trellis to be any taller. Otherwise, it would make harvesting difficult, especially if you are shorter in stature.
Design and pattern: Lattices have a crisscross pattern, often forming diamonds or squares, whereas trellises usually have a more rigid, grid-like structure.
In this case, the total height of your fence and trellis should not exceed 2 metres; Your council treats a trellis as a “temporary structure”. The trellis on top can, therefore, exceed 2 metres.
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