Build a Teepee Trellis for Vegetables

One effective way to support climbing plants and vines is to build a teepee trellis. Flowers like morning glory or clematis, and vegetables such as cucumbers, peas and beans can benefit from a sturdy support system. Inexpensive and easy to build, a teepee trellis is not only a space-saver but also allows more surface to grow flowers and veggies and adds an element of height to the garden, which can be visually appealing. You can build your own teepee trellis in less than an hour, and chances are, you already have some or all of the materials you need.

Supplies to Make a Teepee Trellis

• 3-8 long pieces of wood, such as bamboo stakes (which can be purchased at home improvement and garden supply stores), driftwood or collected sticks that are all approximately the same length and width. Note: The number of sticks you will need, as well as the height of the teepee trellis you build, will depend on the amount of plants you want to grow on it. Three to seven feet in length is a good suggested size for medium to large gardens.
• Twine
• A small garden trowel or shovel
• Climbing plants or veggie seeds or seedlings.

Directions to Make a Teepee Trellis

1. Choose a sunny spot and use a trowel or small shovel to loosen the soil in the area where the plants will be grown.
2. Take each individual stick and push the widest end into the soil about six to eight inches deep, creating a circular shape as you go. Space sticks at least six inches apart.
3. When all sticks are secured in the ground, grab two poles that are opposite to each other and cross the tops of them about four to six inches from the top to form an “X”.
4. Secure sticks with twine. Grab additional poles, cross them at the top to form an “X” and secure with twine.
5. When all poles are crossed, secure the group once more with twine.
6. Plant beans, flowers or other vegetable seeds or seedlings around each pole. When the plants emerge and begin to grow, gently guide the plants in the direction of the pole.