Are you trying to find the right trellis for your vegetables but are just overwhelmed by the sheer number of options to choose from? Yeah, don’t worry, I’ll be making that easier for you in just a sec.
In this article, we’ll be going over different kinds of trellises and discussing what plants and vegetables they might be useful for. Let’s get into it!
Why Use A Trellis For Your Vegetables?
Okay, so, you might be wondering why a trellis is necessary; I mean…what does it even do? The answer to that is very simple: it supports the plants.
Because vegetable plants can often grow tall and tip over as the developing fruits put more pressure on thin stems, a trellis is put in place to support vertical growth and keep the plant from falling over and touching the soil.
Types Of Trellises & What To Grow
1 – Stake Trellis
Stake trellis are basically just individual stakes driven into the ground near each plant, that provide direct support as they grow. It’s a simple yet effective way to keep plants upright and prevent them from bending or breaking.
For tomatoes and taller plants, use sturdy wooden or metal stakes and secure the stems with soft ties. Alos, you can just tie multiple stakes together with twine for added support.
2 – Cage Trellis
It’s round and has a supportive structure that will keep your plants upright and prevent sprawling.
If you’re growing tomatoes which can grow much taller than other garden plants and are much more likely to collapse, use a sturdy cage for them that ideally gets fixed in one place.
3 – Tripod Trellis
As the name suggests, a tripod trellis has 3 poles tied at the top, creating a teepee-like shape. It’s perfect for growing lightweight climbers as long as the poles are securely tied to avoid tipping.
4 – Teepee Trellis
A teepee trellis is similar to a tripod trellis, except it’s often larger and used for vigorous, much heavier climbers. If you’re looking for a lightweight and eco-friendly teepee trellis alternative, use bamboo poles.
5 – A-Frame Trellis
As the name already gives the hint, this trellis forms an A-shape as two panels are leaned together, providing support for heavier crops. It’s also great for keeping squash and cucumbers off the ground.
6 – Flat Trellis
A flat trellis has a flat vertical structure often made of wood or metal mesh. It’s one of the most basic trellises that you’ve probably already seen at least once in your life.
For balanced growth, position your flat trellis in a spot where your plants can receive even sunlight.
7 – Fence Trellis
So, a fence trellis can easily be made by repurposing a spare garden fence. Ensure it’s sturdy enough to support climbing plant structures or else there’s no point.
8 – Arch Trellis
An arch trellis offers a curved structure that allows plants to grow up and over, creating a sort of tunnel effect that is very cool to look at. You can say it adds an aesthetic element to your garden while being highly functional.
9 – Obelisk Trellis
It has a tall, pyramid-shaped structure often made of wood or metal, meaning it’s super sturdy. Obelisk trellises are ideal for gardeners who are tight on space and want more vertical growth in their gardens.
10 – Ladder Trellis
This is a different kind of trellis that has a simple, ladder-like structure that supports vertical growth. The good thing is that a ladder trellis is easy to DIY with older wooden ladders or by constructing one from scratch.
11 – Net Trellis
It’s made of a flexible netting that allows plants to cling and climb on it naturally. However, this kind of trellis should only be used for lightweight crops as heavier climbing ones can obviously break it down pretty easily.
Tips For Choosing The Right Trellis
Conclusion
A trellis is an important aspect of gardening. Because many plants and vegetables have a tendency to grow quite tall, it’s important that you’re able to support this growth and keep the plants from collapsing which can damage developing fruit and invite fungal disease. Keep your plants safe by choosing the right trellis!
Tripods are teepees are wrong for beans because they encourage a mass of tangled foliage and beans at their tops. It’s far better to cross the sticks (as in your picture under Tips For Choosing The Right Trellis) but even further down than you show – best to cross them half-way along their lengths.
Hi Andrew! That’s a great point!
Crossing the sticks lower can definitely help distribute growth more evenly and prevent a tangled mess at the top. Thanks for sharing your insight. I’ll keep that in mind for future trellis recommendations! 😊🌿