It seems like a lot of people are interested in a certain Pinterest pin on the Great Gardening Ideas! board lately. It’s about string trellising. I chose to go with that today because, if your summer garden is anything like mine, it’s getting out of hand and needs some trellising right now!
Check out the original pin and source on the Great Gardening Ideas! board. This is how I’ve trellised up cukes many times, and they do great in my garden because it’s important for air flow where I live, which is humid.
There are different ways to do trellising, but I think it’s best to do it based on the specific needs. Your life will be easy if you build the trellis that the situation (or your mind) calls for. And by “build,” I mean “tie with string.” Pretty much no nails needed!.
Installing a rope trellis in your garden is one of the easiest ways to provide climbing plants and vines with the sturdy support they need. Rope trellises add both beauty and functionality to any landscape. Their open weave allows plants to freely climb while still maintaining their shape and form.
Rope trellises come in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes and materials to suit any garden. Following are some of the benefits of using a rope trellis, along with tips for selecting and installing one in your outdoor space.
Benefits of a Rope Trellis
There are many advantages to using a rope trellis
-
Provides strong and long-lasting support for vigorous climbers like clematis roses wisteria, grapes, honeysuckle and more.
-
Allows climbing plants to grow vertically, saving precious ground space in the garden.
-
Creates useful vertical backdrops and screens for privacy or defining space.
-
Adds striking visual interest and texture when in leaf or flower.
-
Comes in modular sections that are easy to install and arrange.
-
Offers an open weave to allow access to plants for pruning and harvesting.
-
Provides beneficial shelter and habitat for birds and beneficial insects.
-
Allows air circulation and light penetration to maintain plant health.
-
Comes in rustproof aluminum and durable stainless steel for longevity.
Choosing the Right Rope Trellis
When selecting a rope trellis, consider the following:
-
Size – Measure the area and height needed. Buy a trellis at least 6 inches longer than the area.
-
Material – Rope trellises come in stainless steel, aluminum, plastic coated steel and synthetic rope. Stainless steel is the strongest and most durable option.
-
Opening size – Larger diamonds or grids allow more vigorous growers to climb through. Grid sizes range from 1 inch to over 4 inches.
-
Style – Rope trellises come in single panels, adjustable U-shaped frames and expandable mult-panel systems. Choose the style that best suits your needs and space.
-
Weight capacity – Some extra-sturdy rope trellis models can support over 55 lbs per square foot.
-
Mobility – Trellises with wheels allow you to rotate plants to promote even growth.
-
Finished look – Consider how well the trellis’ color and style complements your garden aesthetics.
Installing Your Rope Trellis
Proper installation ensures your rope trellis provides optimal support:
-
Select a level, well-draining location in full sun for most vines.
-
Dig post holes for freestanding trellis panels as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
-
For modular trellises, assemble the pieces using provided hardware.
-
Follow all safety guidelines when installing larger trellises.
-
Use trellis attachment clips, cord or plant ties to secure climbing stems to the ropes.
-
Set up the trellis early before plant growth gets unruly and hard to manage.
Rope Trellis Ideas for Gardens
Rope trellises can be utilized in many clever ways around the garden:
-
Grow climbing roses or clematis up a romantic arbor or garden entryway.
-
Train fruit trees or berry bushes into an espalier against a trellis wall.
-
Form a living fence or screen for privacy using climbing vines.
-
Divide an outdoor space or hide unsightly views with a trellis room divider.
-
Add height and drama to a flower bed or pot with an obelisk trellis.
-
Grow crops like beans, cucumbers, peas and tomatoes on a cylindrical tomato cage.
-
Create a vertical edible garden with rattan obelisks for veggies.
-
Use short garden trellis panels to support perennial flowers and shrubs.
Rope trellises bring function and beauty to gardens in so many innovative ways. They provide the ideal support structure to allow climbing plants to shine. Installing a rope trellis gives vines and climbers the boost they need to grow tall and thrive beautifully.
First, 5 reasons why to trellis:
To keep your plants off the ground and give them enough air flow to keep them from getting fungus
To give support to plants with vining habits
Because they need to be strong enough to keep stalks and stems from breaking in strong winds or from the weight of the fruit
To give you more space in your garden and keep vining plants from overtaking other garden plants
To create a fun space such as a pea or bean teepee or create a privacy wall
My favorite trellising string is the simple classic green garden twine. For the price, it’s easy to find at garden centers and hardware stores, doesn’t rust, looks great in the garden, and has an old-fashioned feel. It can be used to tie up tomatoes, make zigzag vine climbing patterns on teepees, or hang cukes on the fence. You name it, this twine pretty much does the trick!.
We built this trellis so that blackberries could grow in the spring and black-eyed peas could grow in the summer and fall. Check out how we used zigzagged wire through eye hooks as the main support and twine to add places for extra climbing vine grab ons. Hemp twine was lying around the shed, so I used it on this one. But I usually don’t suggest that because it breaks down so quickly.
Here is the whole trellis. We actually liked it so much we doubled it’s length this year. For this one, it took a little more work to build because it’s a permanent trellis with posts instead of bamboo for temporary ones. Now pink jasmine has overrun it creating a nice privacy wall. It was quite east to build.
You only need three posts, a bag of Quickcrete cement, eye hooks, thin wire that can be used for anything, and twine. After you dig the holes, pour the cement in and set the posts in place. Once the posts are completely set, add the eye hooks and string the wire. It’s a simple afternoon project. If you want the more detailed instructions email me or comment below and let me know!.
This is our most impressive trellis. For this one we wanted to create privacy from this backyard neighbor’s house right on the property line. We used the garden twine to string up a net that the dutchman’s pipe vine could climb up. You can see that Dutchman’s pipe grows quickly, and the twine has been strong for over two years! We threw the ball of twine over a branch and then set up the net. I was a little worried that the net might bother the birds, but the plants took care of that right away! The Dutchman’s pipe vine is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, but surprisingly, we haven’t seen many caterpillars eating the vine yet.
This isn’t a real trellis, but I like it and it’s made of string, so I thought I’d share it. Hanging from that tree is a staghorn fern. These don’t like being cold, but they’re heavy and hard to move and cover in the winter. So to solve the predicament, we strung it up with a pulley system. The plant was too heavy for garden twine, so we tied the rope securely around it. We then ran the rope through a pulley and attached it to the fence. Now it’s easy to lower, and you don’t have to climb a tree or a ladder to do it. All you had to do was set up the pulley the
I think this would be a fun way to teach simple machines in a school garden. With smaller, lower hanging basket plants that kids could raise and lower to water and care for, the pulley system would be easy to use. Experiential education at it’s gardening best!.
A trellis made of bamboo and garden twine holds this sad cherry tomato that is trying very hard to stay alive in the hot Florida summer. The picture is pretty small because it’s about 7 feet tall and I couldn’t get the whole thing in the frame!
Here we have a cherry tomato plant that we have pruned to have a vertical growing habit. When the plant is in its main growing stage, we get rid of as many of the suckers (also called side shoots) as we can. We then train it to grow vertically instead of bushing out. It saves space, and some people think the plant produces more fruit because it doesn’t have to work as hard to make leaves and stems.
But you don’t have to take my word for it, there is a lesson on this in my book where you can experiment for yourself and see which way produces more fruit in your garden! Then share your finding with us on social media #wingswormsandwonder.
The trellis was held up by a bamboo stake and garden twine that was wrapped around the plant to make it stand up straight. This is a VERY simple way to grow tomatoes or other vegetables that grow on vines with light fruits like peas, beans, or cucumbers.
You can see here how the specific situation can really dictate how you build a string trellis. Setting up a trellis with string as the base can help you with almost any task. You can keep your garden under control if you use your creative problem-solving skills and think about what the garden needs.
My herb garden definitely needs a little string session! Those unruly herbs all climbing all over each other!
Best Twine For Garden Trellis! Don’t Buy Anything Else But THIS!
FAQ
What is the best string for climbing vines?
What is the easiest trellis to build?
What is an alternative to a trellis?
Are wire trellis good for climbing plants?
The wire trellis is one garden trend that’s here to stay. Wire trellises for climbing plants are an easy DIY way to extend the garden vertically up a wall or privacy fence. A long-lasting metal wire is a perfect match for a timeless plant such as ivy (or wisteria, clematis, or climbing rose).
What is a wire rope plant trellis system?
A Wire Rope Plant Trellis System by Jakob is a simple way to help you beautify your home. It’s designed to easily mount to any wall and requires no maintenance. You can cover up an unsightly facade and make your house stand out from the neighbors. Products are made using anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and UV-resistant plastic.
Which Trellis is best for climbing plants?
A-frame and ladder trellises are simple yet effective for most climbing plants. If you’re looking to support heavier climbers, such as squash or melons, solid structures like teepees or arched trellises may be more suitable. For something easy and space-efficient, consider vertical panels or wire trellis systems that can attach to walls or fences.
What is a rope trellis?
Made from natural sisal (otherwise known as jute), our rope trellis will be gentle on your delicate climbers, while also being environmentally friendly. Handmade using natural materials, it provides an ideal canvas for displaying your favourite climbing varieties of plants.
What is a wire trellis?
Most commonly, wire trellises are constructed against walls, but they can also be hung between poles or framed to create a freestanding trellis. Wire trellis structures are often made with stainless steel wire, galvanized steel wire, or aluminum wire to minimize rust issues. The wire trellis is one garden trend that’s here to stay.
What is Imperial rope trellis?
Imperial Rope Trellis is hand-made using natural materials to create a stunning garden plant support. This award winning product provides an ideal canvas for displaying your favourite climbing varieties of plants.