Garden DIY Guide: Building Your Own Trellis

If you’ve ever wanted a trellis but haven’t found the right one, a DIY trellis might be your best option. With inexpensive materials and a simple design, you can make a sturdy and attractive trellis for climbing plants, flowers, veggies and more. Trellises can also make an excellent structural element to your yard by separating different areas or adding privacy. Regardless, a simple trellis is a beginner-friendly DIY project with massive potential. Here are the materials and steps involved in how to make your own trellis.

What You’ll Need

Wire mesh concrete support
Tall stakes (6 feet or longer)
Bolt cutters or metal clippers
Zip ties or galvanized wire

How to Build Your Trellis

1. Decide how big you want your trellis to be and trim the mesh panel accordingly if you need to. Think about the type and number of plants you plan to grow on the trellis to make sure there is enough room.

2. Lay the mesh on the ground and line up the stakes on either side of it. Here you can adjust the width of the trellis even more by trimming the panel. Otherwise, keep the stakes on the very edges of the panel to maximum stability.

3. Adjust the stakes so they are level while leaving at least one foot at the bottom. You’ll need the extra space for sticking into the soil or base.

4. Use your zip ties or galvanized wire to attach the mesh to the stakes. Pull the mesh tight from both sides to keep it from sagging.

5. Prop up your new trellis and stake it firmly into the ground or base. Alternatively, you can attach it to a heavy planter box, raised garden bed or lean it against a wall or fence.

Base Options

There are several options for a trellis base if you want it to be freestanding rather than up against a wall. One way to secure the trellis is by creating concrete “feet” for the trellis using concrete mix and buckets. You can also use heavy planters filled with stones to keep the trellis upright. Before building your trellis, it’s important to determine the optimal location for it and consider wind patterns. If you want to place your trellis in the direct path of strong winds, opt for building a concrete base or affixing it to a raised garden bed.

There are many styles of trellis and this is one of the simplest designs. This design uses inexpensive materials and doesn’t require any specialized tools or crafting experience to build. Overall, it is a great starting place for DIY beginners or for those who prefer a simpler look. Use these tips to build a trellis for your yard and enjoy the many benefits of your hard work.