The Garden Trellis

A trellis is a versatile garden structure designed to support plants as they grow. It can be constructed from various sturdy materials, with wood, metal, and plastic being the most common options. Trellises come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to select one that suits both your available space and the specific needs of your plants. Many vegetable plants, for instance, require additional support due to their focus on producing fruit during a single growing season. This intense effort often leaves them with limited energy to bear the weight of their heavy harvests.

Using a trellis will benefit your vegetable garden for many reasons.

• They will improve the airflow to the plants which helps prevent diseases.

• When plants are growing up a trellis and not along the soil they are less likely to be accidentally watered. When watering plants you want to avoid the leaves as much as possible, if the plants aren’t touching the ground it is a lot easier to just water the soil.

• If you have a smaller garden it can increase the growing space you have. We talk some more about vertical gardening and the benefits here What to Grow (Including Easy Veggies to Grow).

• They can be used as a natural privacy screen. This is an attractive and slightly cheaper way to have more privacy in your garden if building fences is not an option.

• Trellises can be a beautiful addition to your garden. If you are interested in the aesthetics of your garden you can include a fancy trellis and it will add height, texture, and can look like a beautiful sculpture. Especially when plants are flowering on it.

• Another benefit to having a trellis is the ease of harvesting from it. You will be able to access the fruit growing from the structure from a lot of angles and not having to kneel or bend as much.

A trellis is a versatile and practical addition to almost any garden. It can make gardening just a little bit easier as well as adding a decorative element. Now let’s get into all the different types of trellises to choose from.

Types of Trellises

There are many different types to choose from. Your selection will be based on your garden size, the plants you are interested in growing, and your personal preference.

Flat Trellis:

These are often attached to a wall or fence and are usually built from wood. There are a lot of different designs of flat trellises and they can be small or very large and free standing almost as a fence. We use a couple flat trellises in our garden and we like the simplicity of them. They are often used for supporting climbing plants like beans and peas. We have had a lot of success growing cucumbers on them and support for our raspberry plants.

A-Frame Trellis:

Two flat trellises can be connected at the top in an A shape. It creates an almost tunnel and is really supportive for heavy plants. Great for growing any climbing plants including squash, melon, and other heavy vegetable plants.

Tent Trellis:

We often use this type of trellis as it can be easily set up from scratch. You just need bamboo poles and string. It has been great for growing peas and beans, especially if you have kids and you build it big enough for them to use it as their little hiding spot! It can be used for other vegetable types as well, but if you are making it on your own, be aware of how much weight it can support.

Cage Trellis:

Very common type of plant support which is often used for tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant. It is great for plants that grow upright on their own but can become very heavy when the vegetables get large and there is risk of flopping over. These are perfect for balcony gardeners too as they are often used in containers.

Pole or Stake Trellis:

This type of trellis is a single pole that can be used to support a smaller or light plant. It can be used for peas to grow up or to stake a plant in place. We have used these to stake tomatoes to prevent them from falling over. Also can be used for squash plants so they can climb off the ground. Bamboo poles are a great option to use as a pole trellis but you can also use a metal or plastic pole. You can get creative and use sticks or other items you can find around your garden.

Arbor or Arched Trellis:

Commonly used over an entrance to a garden or over pathways. Arched trellises or a garden arbor can be a beautiful addition to the garden. We use these in our garden and clients gardens because they are useful and attractive. They can create a tunnel effect when growing plants over them. They are great for growing peas, beans, cucumbers, squash, and any climbing flowers. As an added bonus, you can hide fairy lights in them making it a magical night time feature. Squash, cucumbers, or long beans, tend to grow down through the top of the arch and can look really cool coming through a tunnel. In our What to Grow (Including Easy Veggies to Grow) section we mention some interesting vegetables that look really awesome growing through garden arbors.

Ladder Trellis:

The name really gives this one away. As you might expect the ladder trellis is built like a ladder and is great for supporting plants that climb well. The ladder “steps” make it easy to weave the plants in and out as they grow which helps them hang onto the ladder. We have grown beans, peas, cucumbers, butternut squash and melons on ours. Ladder trellises can be made using an old wooden ladder which makes them a great affordable trellis.

Obelisk Trellis:

An upright structure and often a very striking focal point of a garden. They are usually made from wood or metal. They are usually very sturdy and great for growing climbing vegetables. A lot of people use them for climbing flowers as they look elegant compared to some other trellis types.

Fan Trellis:

They are narrow at the base and fan out at the top. Fan trellises are often used against walls or fences for extra plant support. They won’t necessarily do well free standing because they don’t have a supportive base. They look pretty and are best used for vining flowers or peas.

“Soccer Net” Trellis:

These trellises might feel a bit makeshift, but they’re practical and adaptable. They combine features of several trellis types and can be easily DIYed using twine or yarn and bamboo poles. This design works particularly well for lighter climbing vegetables, like peas and beans. Ideal for garden beds without rear access, the poles can be arranged in a U-shape, with twine woven around them, leaving the front open. This setup provides easy access for harvesting while maximizing planting space. The centre of the square can be used for low-growing vegetables, such as arugula, which thrive in partial shade. Be sure to plant the climbing vegetables along the inside of the square to make the most of the structure.

Trellises are important for vegetable gardening. There are a lot of plants that will benefit from growing vertically because of the improved airflow and lack of water contact. You can increase your gardening space by gardening vertically. There are so many ways to get creative when it comes to adding a trellis in your garden. Be resourceful and look for old items that can be used. Try using an old window frame, a wooden ladder, some fallen tree branches, some old bike tires, or even a headboard from your old bed. You know what they say! “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”. You can make this into a fun craft and really liven up your garden.