Learn how to build a trellis with our easy step-by-step instructions.
Make your own simple trellis in an afternoon, then plant your garden and watch it grow up.
The possibilities for building trellises are endless.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Use rot-resistant wood for trellis construction, such as cedar or pressure-treated pine, to make yourgarden trellisdurable.
Use exterior-grade stain or primer and paint to protect your wooden trellis.
Painting before you assemble pieces may spare you brushwork later but may require touch-ups where screws have been inserted.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Plan Your Trellis
Sketch out yourgarden trellison a sheet of paper, including the dimensions.
Tally and gather the number and lengths of boards needed.
Cut the boards to the correct size, according to your plan.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
This isn’t intended to create an actual pattern for the trellis but to offer a visual reference.
Lay Out Trellis Pieces
Create the desired trellis pattern by laying the boards on the chalk grid.
Try laying out a few designs before deciding on the one you want.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Then, before securing with screws, make any adjustments to get the pattern you want.
Assemble Trellis
Wherever boards intersect, drive two screws.
Do this from the back side, so the screw heads won’t be visible on the front.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Or, leave the cedar boards and allow them to turn gray with age naturally.
Place thegarden trellisposts in the holes and plumb them.
Backfill with soil, tamping every few inches to ensure the posts are stable.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
They’ll quickly light up the wall with a colorful flower show.
Remove the spent vines at the end of the growing season.
