A Simple DIY Trellis Idea For Growing More Delicate Vegetable Vines

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Some of the most popular and beginner-friendly vegetables to grow in a home garden are vining plants like cucumbers, peas, beans, and tomatoes, which naturally climb as they grow. These plants thrive best when given a vertical structure that encourages both upward and outward growth. Once your plants start growing, you'll notice they need support to stay upright — and one of the easiest ways to provide that is by constructing a simple DIY string trellis. 

The beauty of a homemade trellis is that you can build one for practically nothing if you can repurpose some of your garden supplies. All you'll need is some rope or twine and vertical supports; large tree branches, bamboo poles, wooden stakes, and T-posts all work well. The bonus of a string trellis is that it can provide extra room for your plants to grow, make watering them easier, and increase airflow to your crops, encouraging growth and hindering disease.

Erect your trellis behind your plants; if you can orient it north to south, your plants will get maximum sun exposure. As for your string, you can choose a lightweight, earth-friendly option like biodegradable twine for plants like pole beans and for fuss-free vegetables like cherry tomatoes. For a sturdier choice, you can use polypropylene rope, such as this option by PerkHomy, or a clothesline for heavier crops, like cucumbers. 

To build your trellis, sink a vertical support a few inches into the ground at each end of your row of vining plants. For heavy, tall-growing crops, use stronger supports like 6-foot T posts or old tent poles that will provide more structure for your plants as they grow. Knot one end of your rope to a support. Then use the "Florida Weave" technique to create your trellis: weave your rope behind the first plant and in front of the next, continuing this pattern until you reach the other support. Wrap the rope in a figure-8 around that post and weave your way back, tying off the rope when you return to the start. As your plants get bigger, add additional lines of twine, spaced about 8 inches apart. If you notice your crops need even more assistance, you could tie a vertical length of rope from the top string down behind each plant. Anchor these vertical supports to the ground with a heavy rock, landscape staple (like these ones by Feed Garden), or tent stake.

With just a bit of planning and a few simple materials, a string trellis can make a significant difference in your garden's health and productivity — giving your vining vegetables the TLC they need to thrive all season long.