beginner's corner
“
In the garden, agriculture, and the growroom,
the benefits of trellising are obvious. It saves
space, making it possible to grow plants closer
together and still achieve impressive results."
114
grow cycle
THE STRUCTURE
Although a trellis is traditionally considered either
a horizontal or vertical latticed structure, trellising
a plant can be as simple as constructing a bamboo
tripod or growing beans up a corn stalk (similar to
the classic three sisters approach). A trellis doesn’t
just keep plants from falling over, though. It’s a
support structure that allows plants to develop verti-
cally, or even laterally, in a way their stems would
not otherwise support. A white picket fence groan-
ing under a luxuriant growth of bougainvillea vine is
assuming the duties of a trellis. Ivy clinging to an oak
tree is using the tree’s branches as a trellis, too.
The type of vertical trellis many gardeners
envision for their vegetables and other plants can
accommodate multiple specimens. It is usually
constructed inside a sturdy frame or attached to
vertical supports pounded two to four feet into the
soil. Plants grow along a wire grid, fabric net, or
series of suspended cables or lines secured to the
structure. A variety of materials can be used in the
construction of the frame and posts, like wood, steel,
aluminum, or bamboo. Depending on design, grid
materials can include cotton clothesline, nylon or
other plastic mesh, polyester twine, hemp or flexible
wire secured with knots, U-shaped fencing nails,
and sod staples. Prefabricated materials designed
for gardening or other applications are sometimes
employed, too. Some favorites are PVC tubing, metal
fencing like hog panels or cattle panels, and, of
course, complete trellis kits.