Do It Yourself Garden Trellis

Whether you want to cover up an unsightly wall or you just want a place for your vegetable vines to grow, a trellis is one option that is easy to build and care for. Trellis structures can be quite elaborate and include a pergola-type roof, or they can be simple post-and-wire setups that can be built in a matter of a few hours. For your first do-it-yourself garden trellis, start with the simple version.


Dig two holes on each side of your desired trellis area. Trellises of 6 to 8 feet are usually adequate for growing nearly any type of vine or vegetable, so select the height of your trellis based on the recommendations for the types of plants you plan to put there. Then dig your holes to a depth of about half of the above-ground height of your trellis; for example, a 6-foot trellis should have 3-foot holes. With that in mind, purchase trellis poles of the right height; a 6-foot trellis should start with two 9-foot poles.


Screw eye hooks into your wooden trellis posts every 12 to 18 inches, if you opt to use wire for your trellis supports. Measure from the top of the post down 12 or 18 inches, and then screw in the first eye hook. Then measure down another 12 or 18 inches and add another, until you've worked your way down to where the post will go into the hole. The eye hook nearest the ground can be anywhere from 6 to 12 inches up from the ground. Repeat this step for the second post. If you plan to use thin wood strips -- such as 1-inch by 1-inch boards -- or latticework sheets for your trellis support material, you will not need to insert eye hooks into the posts, so skip this step.


Set the posts into the post holes and pour concrete into the remaining open space of the holes. Place a level against the poles and set them up straight, using nails and wooden braces to hold them in place while the concrete dries. When you insert the poles into the ground, be sure that any eye hooks are facing inward, toward the opposite pole. Allow the concrete to dry before moving on.


Attach your support material to the posts, once the posts' concrete has dried. For wire supports, wrap the wire through the eye hooks and stretch it across the space between the two posts; then wrap the wire around the corresponding eye hook on the opposite side. Do this for each set of eye hooks. If you're using latticework, set the latticework across the span between the two posts and nail it to the two posts, making sure to use a level to ensure the latticework is set straight. For long, thin boards, nail the board to one post, mark its height in relation to the ground, and then nail the opposite side of the board to the other post at the same height. Continue nailing boards to the post at increments of 12 to 18 inches apart until you get near the ground.