DIY Garden Trellis! (Part 2)

Do It Yourself Garden Trellis

Well, I’m at it again! I have loved using PVC pipe to make a garden trellis for beans and peas so much that I want to keep at it. This time I am making a square box trellis to hold, support, and maintain my cantaloupe plants that are growing like crazy! Here are some of the reasons why I like using the PVC pipe trellis system:

• Inexpensive compared to wooden or metal trellis systems.
• Sturdy and able to support the weight of the vines.
• Quick & easy to assemble!
• I will be able to take it out of the garden without a lot of work at the end of the season and store it for the winter to avoid weathering.
• With the brackets already set in place I will be able to re-install for the new growth season and no further investment will need to be made. * I even love the idea that my kids had about painting the piping next season to match the Tater Tires that have taken off this year too!

The main reason that I wanted to have a hanging/climbing system for the cantaloupe was because they were simply out of room. I only planted two mounds at the beginning of the season, and as they have taken off, they are in need of room to breath. Take a look:

To begin, I went to Lowe’s and Walgreens to purchase the materials that I would need. The total for the project was just under $20 since I already had a few of the supplies on hand from previous projects. You can easily get the items ordered here and have it ready for you when you get there!

I made a 42″ square trellis to have it fit correctly into my box. Your measurements will be different but the directions for assembly will be the same.  To start off, I measured out (8) 42″ pieces because I knew I would have two tiers on the trellis system. Then I put together the first tier of the trellis with the Y connectors.

The next part was tricky because the specific part that I was looking for at the hardware store isn’t a typical design, so the awesome Lowe’s clerk that I was talking to helped me to modify my design to make the two-tier trellis work! I wanted about 18″ gaps between the ground and the two tiers, so I cut (4) 13″ pieces & (4) 2″ pieces to make the next tier. After cutting the pieces I turned over the first tier and then put the 13″ pieces into the Y connectors, followed by a T connector, a 2″ piece, and finally another T connector. I repeated the steps for each of the 4 corners and then completed the  the corners together with the remaining (4) 42″ pieces.

To finish the Trellis, I wanted to get the conduit straps in place in the garden box and then just slide the connectors on rather than trying to attach them in the box since so much of the area was over grown. So, to do this, I used the 1/2″ conduit strap and 2 screws and attached it in the front corners of the box, then repeated the process for the other corner. Next, I measured out 44″ inches (because of the added length with the connectors), and attached those straps to the side of the box as well. Once all of the legs were in place I was able to easily place the trellis in it’s place and firmly press each of the connectors together for stability.

The last part of the project was unwinding all of the vines that had grown together and do it gently enough to do it without hurting the plants. I also started to wind some of the vines around the PVC pipe (you can also pre-wrap garden twine around the piping if needed to help the plants continue growing upwards. Then, to help support the fruit that is already on the vines and now hanging from the trellis I put them in to knee-high pantyhose. This allows the fruit to continue growing bigger while being supported from the trellis!!

There you have it! Another inexpensive way to keep your garden growing, producing, and happy! The kids and I are so excited to have some of this delicious fruit, and I hope you have great success as well!

 Here are some great deals on tools to get you started on your own Garden Trellis and my favorite gardening book that is FULL of great information!

PVC Pipe Cutter, 1/2-Inch x 1-Inch – $6.74 (was $21.99)

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• Tubing Cutter
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• Cuts PVC pipe, hose and synthetic tubing
• Ratchet action
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Stanley Solid Frame High Tension Hacksaw – $10.98 + Free Shipping!

• 12-Inch Fixed blade length, 4.375-Inch cutting depth
• 225-Pound blade tension
• 90-Degree and 180-Degree Adjustable blade angles allowing flush cuts
• All metal frame
• Large, comfortable tension knob with a full-grip handle

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