Support Needed

With spring weather standing by,
it's a great time to get some garden planning done.
Some of what we grow requires staking, trellising, 
or some kind of visible support.
Vining crops such as beans, cucumbers, loofah, peas and squash
all need something to grab onto and have vertical space to sprawl.

We installed this cattle panel fencing last year
and they are one of the easiest and quickest ways
to add vertical growing space to the garden.

  

 At the base, we planted beans, melons
and snap peas and let them do their thing.

 

 This year, I have an idea to increase our growing area.
I'm planning to grow lettuce in old coffee tins
and hang them on the inside of the panels.
In this way, I use more of the space
while allowing the lettuces to be shaded by the beans
during the hottest part of the summer.
I'm hoping to figure out a way to deter the squirrels this way as well.

 

This old gazebo frame used to hold a canvas covering,
which didn't last long after a few strong winds.
We saved the frame, bringing it all the way from Florida,
because I just knew I could find a way to repurpose it in the garden.



Last year, the loofah grew gangbusters on it!
It was such a welcome sight when turning the corner on our street.
The structure held up to the weight of the mass of vines and fruit.
This year it will be used for the same purpose.
As the loofah are sown in pots,
this is another area where something can garner some shade underneath.

last year's garden

A simply constructed teepee sits in the pollinator bed,
awaiting the climbing of morning glory or nasturtium. 
These poles were originally used as stakes, 
so we just tied them together at the top
with leftover baling twine.
This type of teepee, perhaps made a bit bigger,
would be the perfect host to a crop of climbing beans,
cucumbers or flowering vines.

There is no end to what you can create
with things that are probably already laying about.

If you need further inspiration,
check out these innovative (and cheap) solutions:

Check out this link for more upcycled trellis ideas.

A fellow frugal gardener shows how to create a rustic twig trellis.

This obliesk seems so easy to make 
and just look at the color it adds to the garden!