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Why Buy a Trellis for the Garden

Photo: Simple Trellis Ideas by Home Beautiful  


What is a Trellis?

Noun: Trellis: A frame latticework of light metal or wooden bars, mainly used as support for climbing plants or fruit trees.

Here are the most common uses and purposes for a trellis, to wit.

Providing Support

Growing garden vegetables, fruits, and herbaceous plants is a common gardening project, but the desired yield could be quite sad if an appropriate trellis is not used. A perfect example is tomatoes. Tomatoes may spring up as small as 5 inches (12.7 cm) but can drastically grow to more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) within weeks or a few months. So, without a trellis, this plant would be a tangled mess as it continued to grow. Additionally, the lack of air circulation would certainly result in plant diseases, according to Toni Gattone, speaker, and author of "The Lifelong Gardener, Garden with Ease and Joy at Any Age." The trellis should be installed in place at the earliest sign of the growth of the plants. Putting the trellis later could damage the roots of the plants. Also, a trellis-supported plant is likely to be cleaner and straighter than left without support. Moreover, trellis help to keep bugs and other pests from destroying the plants.

Furthermore, savvy gardeners or even full-time farmers use trellis for particular vine crops, such as beans, cucumbers, melons, peas, and squash. However, these do require some forms of maintenance. Melons and squash with their large fruit need to hang the fruit to the support so that it does not break away from the vine. "Climbing roses and vines also need strong support to grow and be healthy," says Gattone." Without a suitable but applicable trellis, climbing plants would not survive.

Space Saving

Surely, not all garden owners have lots of land to work out with.

Trellises can help out in maximizing garden spaces for plants to grow vertically, instead of lying around and along the ground. This means that additional plants can be positioned at the bottom of the trellis, creating a layered effect. This trellis-technique planting method is particularly prevalent in community food gardens, which have to utilize limited space as effectively as possible to grow fruits, herbaceous plants, and vegetables to feed vulnerable groups. A trellis shouldn't be an afterthought.

Dressing Up the Garden Area

A garden reflects a gardener.

In so many gardens, trellises have their decorative features, and adding blooming plants to it, it changes the overall look with the seasons. This allows the gardener to draw the eye to a higher focal point with beautiful blooms. Additionally, a trellis could also cover up an eyesore, such as a fence, a concrete wall, a shed, or if not, a less-than-pleasing view. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. A directional advantage!

Types of Trellises

Trellis comes in a variety of shapes, types, and appearances. But it should not be overwhelming to pick one to suit one’s needs.

Take one type of the following.

1. Homemade trellis

For many veggie gardeners, a personalized trellis made out of some easy-to-procure basic supplies is all that is needed. Two-metal or wooden vertical support (three if it's reasonably wide) is the most basic made-at-home-trellis. Just pound them into the ground for about 1 foot (0.305 meters) deep and space them 5 or 6 feet (1.5 or 1.8 meters) apart. Just used staples, nails, zip-ties, or wire to hold it together and hang some type of mesh or netting between the supports to firmly hold the frame of the trellis. For any large crops, many gardeners may opt for galvanized, chicken wire fencing, or pick something sturdy enough to support any large crops. The choice is yours on this aspect.

2. Wall-type trellis

A wall trellis is an architectural structure anchored permanently to a wall. So, you must decide if it is OK with you! Attaching this wall trellis to the wall, enough space must be provided for the plants to climb. This is another beautiful way to hide an ugly or otherwise unimpressive outdoor wall.

3. Arch-type trellis

Arch trellises are not just functional, they are also beautiful, even when they are not draped in greenery. Normally, placed at the beginning of a walkway or to come between garden fences, they will make an entrance or an exit somewhat of an affair. Arch trellis is another excellent choice for flowering vines to grow up vertically. Thus, it leaves plenty of space, sunlight, and airflow for the veggies down below. Moreover, arch trellises make it possible to get the best production out of a garden, with vining plants growing vertically up and smaller plants growing along the width of the trellis.

4. A-frame trellis

In a small space, gardening has its restrictions. In truth, this is where an A-frame trellis is most suitable. It can be made out of anything, with recycled material being an excellent option. Additionally, building an A-frame trellis will depend on the garden’s needs. There is a surfeit of possibilities for making trellises, however, a DIY A-frame trellis allows any avid gardener to grow heavier vining vegetation.

5. Flat-type trellis

Why Buy a Trellis for The Garden
Flat-type Trellis

It is a flat structure that allows vining plants to climb and is perfect for doubling growing areas in narrow beds or border gardens. Flat or panel type trellis are especially good for climbing roses but be sure to bend the roses horizontally on the trellis, instead of pushing them vertically. This will result in a stunning wall of blooms in no time.

These types of the trellis are somewhat portable. It can be moved around, as long as nothing is currently growing on them, to create a semblance of privacy. It could be used as a paneled trellis in the center of a wide plant bed that can be possibly accessed from both sides. Flat-type trellis comes in one piece, so it is easy to place it in the garden, and it is done. 

6. Obelisks-type trellis

Obelisk trellises are a marriage between the flat panel trellis and the arch trellis. Putting an obelisk trellis to a garden gives enough room to grow smaller plants around its base. This results in vining plants growing right up to the center that can be easily tended to. Moreover, these pieces will make a significant decorative statement and can be placed directly on the ground or in a container. Yet again, make sure to get the right size because a small obelisk could be overcome by an overzealous climber. 

7. Teepee-type trellis

A teepee trellis is one cool homemade option for the garden. A teepee trellis is a three-stake structure of some building material usually metal, wood, or even bamboo. It is one effective way to support climbing plants and vines. Just pound each stake to the ground at an angle, then tie the three stakes at the top forming a teepee of sorts. Inexpensive and easy to build, it is not only a space-saver but also allows more surfaces to grow flowers and veggies. It also adds an element of height to the garden, which can be visually appealing. Flowers like morning glory or clematis, and vegetables such as beans, cucumbers, and peas can benefit from this sturdy support system.

So, here you go folks, our small gardening know and learn article.