Trellis

A trellis is a frame of vertical stakes with mesh or netting strung between them, used to support climbing or vining crops such as peas, beans, cucumbers, melons, and squash.

Inputs

• Materials: two vertical stakes (metal or wood) with mesh or netting strung between them — plastic netting, chicken wire, or galvanized fencing are common, with heavier mesh for larger-fruited, more vigorous crops. Attached to the stakes with nails, staples, plastic locking ties, or wire.¹
• A 1.8 m stake pounded 30 cm into the ground leaves about 1.5 m of trellis area; stakes are typically spaced 1.5 to 1.8 m apart, with a third, middle stake added for a wider trellis.¹
• Siting: some gardeners angle the trellis to face south for maximum sunlight, with fruit hanging freely on the lower (north) side for easier harvest.¹

Type

• Plant support structure

Functions

• Space efficiency: lets long-vined crops be grown in a small garden plot by training them vertically rather than letting them sprawl.¹
• Disease prevention: keeping fruit and foliage off the ground produces straighter, cleaner fruit and helps prevent rot and disease.¹

Footnotes

1. Trellises and cages to support garden vegetables | University of Minnesota Extension ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵