Today I’m sharing how to build a beautiful climbing vegetable trellis. If you love the look of natural structures in the garden, then you’ll love this simple trellis.
It’s easy to build, uses natural materials and works perfectly for climbing vegetables. You can also use the trellis in your flower garden for sweet peas and other climbing flowers.
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Uses for a Climbing Vegetable Trellises
Bill and I have created several different types of trellises in our garden. The trellis I’m sharing with you today is best used for climbing vegetables, like cucumbers, pole beans and peas.

The trellis can also be used for support in a flower garden. It’s perfect for sweet peas, nasturtiums and other climbing flowers. I’ve even used the trellis to lend extra support to cosmos in my cut flower garden.

If you need to support heavier climbing plants, like pumpkins, then you might try building a garden trellis using a galvanized hog panel. We have six in Bill’s vegetable garden and three in my cut flower garden. You can find photos and step by step instructions here.

Two Versions of our Vegetable Trellis
Over the years, Bill and I have built two primary versions of our climbing vegetable trellis: Option 1-A Very Simple Trellis and Option 2-A Trellis with Horizontal Supports.
Option 1. A Very Simple Trellis
First is a very simple trellis that only requires twine and branches to build, plus loppers to cut the branches and scissors to cut the twine.
I love the free form appearance of the trellis and how quickly it can be built. However, the trellis can only be used one season before beginning to lose its shape.

Option 2: A Trellis with Horizontal Supports
The second trellis is a bit sturdier and uses wire to connect cross supports the horizontal length of the trellis. The trellis takes a bit more time to create and requires a few more materials and tools but is still relatively simple to build.
Nonetheless, it’s a great trellis, the cross supports are useful, and it looks beautiful. The trellis itself is so sturdy that we have used a few of them for two seasons.

How to Make a Beautiful Climbing Vegetable Trellis
Both versions of our climbing vegetable trellis are simple to build. Regardless of which option you choose the primary material to build the trellises is tree branches.
Using Tree Branches for the Trellises
Specifically, we use crepe myrtle branches to build our trellises. Each season Bill thins our crepe myrtles using bypass loppers (our favorites are linked here). We then use the branches to build trellises.
You can use other similarly sized tree branches, as well. We have a pile of fig tree branches waiting for our next trellis project.
And, if you don’t have access to tree branches, try using bamboo stakes.

Building A Very Simple Climbing Vegetable Trellis (Option 1)

Materials Needed (Option 1)
Building option 1 of our climbing vegetable trellis requires only 4 items: tree branches, twine, loppers and scissors. That’s it, so simple!

Step by Step Instructions (Option 1)
Option 1 truly is very simple to build. Follow these easy steps and you can build a simple trellis in about an hour.
- Using two branches, place each branch across from each other in your garden bed and allow them to cross at the top. Secure the branches in the soil by pressing the branch in the soil several inches.
- Repeat step 1 with about 18 inches between each pair of branches until you have created a trellis in the desired length.
- Next, place a long branch down the center of the branch pairs to create a horizontal bar across the length of the trellis. The branch will be held up by the branch pairs where they cross. You may need to connect several branches to cross the entire length of the trellis. Use twine to connect horizontal top branches.
- Secure the top cross branch and pair of cross branches together with twine.
- Now the fun and more creative part of the build begins. Place branches diagonally on the trellis. Secure the bottom of the branch in the soil and rest the top of the branch on the main trellis (the branch pairs or top cross branch).
- Secure the trellis with additional twine as needed.
- Trim the top of the branch pairs to get the desired look.
Begin planting and enjoy!


Printable Instructions (Option 1)
How to Build a Beautiful Climbing Vegetable Trellis (Option 1)

Build a simple climbing vegetable trellis.
Materials
- We used the following materials to build the trellis (the quantity of materials needed depends upon the size of the trellis you build):
- tree branches
- twine
Tools
- We used two tools to build the trellis:
- loppers to cut the branches
- scissors to cut the twine
Instructions
- Step 1. Using two branches, place each branch across from each other in your garden bed and allow them to cross at the top. Secure the branches in the soil by pressing the branch in the soil several inches.
- Step 2. Repeat step 1 with about 18 inches between each pair of branches until you have created a trellis in the desired length.
- Step 3. Next, place a long branch down the center of the branch pairs to create a horizontal bar across the length of the trellis. The branch will be held up by the branch pairs where they cross. You may need to connect several branches to cross the entire length of the trellis. Use twine to connect horizontal top branches.
- Step 4. Secure the top cross branch and pair of cross branches together with twine.
- Step 5. Now the fun and more creative part of the build begins. Place branches diagonally on the trellis. Secure the bottom of the branch in the soil and rest the top of the branch on the main trellis (the branch pairs or top cross branch).
- Step 6. Secure the trellis with additional twine as needed.
- Step 7. Trim the top of the branch pairs to get the desired look.
Building a Climbing Vegetable Trellis with Horizontal Supports (Option 2)

Materials (Option 2)
In addition to tree branches, twine, loppers and scissors, you will need a few additional tools to build option 2 of our climbing vegetable trellis. Additional materials needed include wire, lineman’s pliers, and a handheld drill.

Step by Step Instructions (Option 2)
Follow the steps below to build option 2 of our climbing vegetable trellis, a sturdier trellis with horizontal crossbars. The build can be completed in a couple of hours.
- Using two branches, place each branch across from each other in your garden bed and allow them to cross at the top. Secure the branches in the soil by pressing the branch in the soil several inches.
- Repeat step 1 with about 18 inches between each pair of branches until you have created a trellis in the desired length.
- Next, place a long branch down the center of the branch pairs to create a horizontal bar across the length of the trellis. The branch will be held up by the branch pairs where they cross. You may need to connect several branches to cross the entire length of the trellis. Use wire to connect the branches.
- Secure the top cross branch and pair of cross branches together with twine. Twine allows you to easily connect all three branches (the top cross branch and the pair of cross branches.
- Begin adding cross branches horizontally across the entire length of the trellis. Your first cross branch should start about 12 inches above the soil. Connect the horizontal cross branch to the trellis by drilling holes in the branches and connecting them with wire.
- Repeat step 5 as needed until the last horizontal cross branch is about 12-18 inches for the top cross branch created in step 3.
- Secure the trellis with additional twine as needed.
- Trim the top of the branch pairs to get the desired look.
Begin planting and enjoy!


Printable Instructions (Option 2)
How to Make a Beautiful Climbing Vegetable Trellis (Option 2)

Build a Beautiful Climbing Vegetable Trellis with Horizontal Supports
Materials
- We used the following materials for the project (the quantity needed will depend on the size of trellis you are building):
- tree branches
- twine
- wire
Tools
- You will need the following tools to complete the project:
- loppers
- scissors
- lineman's pliers
- handheld drill
Instructions
- Step 1. Using two branches, place each branch across from each other in your garden bed and allow them to cross at the top. Secure the branches in the soil by pressing the branch in the soil several inches.
- Step 2. Repeat step 1 with about 18 inches between each pair of branches until you have created a trellis in the desired length.
- Step 3. Next, place a long branch down the center of the branch pairs to create a horizontal bar across the length of the trellis. The branch will be held up by the branch pairs where they cross. You may need to connect several branches to cross the entire length of the trellis. Use wire to connect the branches.
- Step 4. Secure the top cross branch and pair of cross branches together with twine. Twine allows you to easily connect all three branches (the top cross branch and the pair of cross branches.
- Step 5. Begin adding cross branches horizontally across the entire length of the trellis. Your first cross branch should start about 12 inches above the soil. Connect the horizontal cross branch to the trellis by drilling holes in the branches and connecting them with wire.
- Step 6. Repeat step 5 as needed until the last horizontal cross branch is about 12-18 inches for the top cross branch created in step 3.
- Step 7. Secure the trellis with additional twine as needed.
- Step 8. Trim the top of the branch pairs to get the desired look.
Building a Climbing Vegetable Trellis: A Few Final Notes
It seems like we add more trellises to our gardens every year. Trellises made from tree branches look great, are easy to build, can be custom built to fit the desired space and they’re functional.
Drop me a note in the comments and let me know which climbing vegetable trellis option you plan on trying this season and which plants it will support.
Cheers to Retired Life, and as always, Happy Gardening!
X Penny Pennington Weeks

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