Embrace the Advantage of Elevated Flower Beds with Trellises - Discover Stylish Decorative Concepts
Raised garden beds have become a popular project among gardeners this year, offering numerous benefits such as accessibility, earlier harvests, and better drainage. One way to make the most of these beds is by incorporating trellises, which can help expand growing space and boost productivity.
When it comes to trellises, there are various designs to choose from. Amy Grant, a professional chef, caterer, and gardener with 30 years of gardening experience and 15 years of writing experience, specializing in culinary gardening, shares some effective raised garden bed trellis designs.
One design is the vertical trellises attached directly to the raised bed. These can be tall panels or lattices that support climbing vegetables like peas, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. A tiered raised bed with an attached trellis design efficiently uses vertical space, allowing for more plants in the same footprint.
Another option is freestanding or movable trellises. Lightweight trellises can be placed inside or alongside a raised bed and moved as needed. Hexagonal honeycomb or archway trellis shapes add visual interest and can support a variety of climbers such as jasmine, passionflower, or grapes.
T-post trellises are simple, sturdy trellises ideal for supporting peas, cucumbers, or squash, perfect for smaller raised beds or container gardens. Espaliered trees or trellises, where flat-growing fruit trees like apple or pear can be trained along raised bed edges, combine function with decorative appeal.
For those who prefer a more natural look, natural material trellises made from foraged grapevine branches or rustic wooden frames can support light climbers like sweet peas or nasturtiums.
When building a trellis for a raised bed, consider factors such as the crop to be trellised, its weight, budget, location, and desired lifespan of the structure. For heavy or vining crops, metal stakes or rebar should be used. A 6-foot stake is ideal for supporting a 5-foot trellis in a raised bed.
A trellis can be built up against a house, garage, or outbuilding for climbing crops in a raised bed. A fence or balcony railing can provide support for smaller planter boxes in a raised bed. In some cases, a self-watering tomato pot with a built-in trellis is available for smaller spaces.
Net mesh or string can be easily disassembled at the end of the season by snipping a few select strings. "Remesh," an affordable metal mesh option for a trellis in a raised bed, is also a popular choice.
Integrating trellises with raised garden beds leverages vertical space, enhances garden aesthetics, and boosts productivity by supporting climbing plants efficiently. Popular climbing vegetables for trellis use include peas, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, and pole beans. By using trellises, gardeners can maximize their growing space, improve air circulation, reduce disease risk, and ease harvesting and reduce pest damage.
Amy Grant recommends various trellis designs for raised garden beds, such as vertical trellises attached directly to the beds, suitable for climbing vegetables like peas, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Alternatively, freestanding or movable trellises can be used, with hexagonal honeycomb or archway shapes being great for supporting a variety of climbers like jasmine, passionflower, or grapes.
