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Learn how to build trellises and supports for climbing vegetables such as peas and beans, as well as grapes, roses, and other vining plants! See printable instructions as well as a video for creating a simple support frame for your plants.

Climbing plants trained up supports need less weeding, and can be used to create an attractive leafy backdrop or windbreak for your garden. In addition, growing vertically means that you can pack in more sprawling plants, such as squashes and melons, into your space. When it comes to edibles, it’s also a lot easier to harvest when standing up.

Canes, Poles, and Stakes

The simplest supports include sturdy stakes, poles, and bamboo canes. Push them securely into the ground at the base of plants to offer an immediate vertical hook for vining veggies to grip onto. You may need to tie in young plants to their supports at first to encourage them in the right direction.

Canes or poles can be arranged in traditional rows with a horizontal cane linking the tops to create a rigid structure. Tie in the canes where they cross with string, twine, or wire.

Or why not create an attractive bamboo tepee? Space four to eight canes or poles around a circle marked out in the ground. Tie the canes together about a foot from the top using string or wire. Bamboo and willow tepees are perfect for climbing peas and beans, while taller, sturdier tepees made of thicker poles are recommended for heavier climbers such as squashes and melons.

Trellising

Use trellises for growing beans, peas, squashes, and more. A simple cattle panel trellis does the job effectively for a reasonable cost. It’s a wire arch made from a piece of common farm fencing you can find at a Tractor Supply or farm supply store. The panel is bent into an arch and attached to stakes hammered into the ground. 

The Best Bean Frame

We’ve discovered the ultimate solution for growing beans, using bamboo canes positioned in such a way that the pods hang outwards, away from the frame, which makes them much easier to spot and pick. The stems are also less likely to grow into a thick, tangled mess.

We demonstrate how to make the bean frame in the video.

To make the frame you will need the following materials and tools:

• 2x lengths of timber: 2in x 2in x 32in
• 2x length of timber: 1in x 2in x 5ft
• 2x lengths of timber: 2in x 2in x 7ft 4in
• 2x 4in screws
• 2x 2.5in screws
• Screwdriver
• Drill with drill bit to match width of the screws
• Sandpaper
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• 12 or 14 bamboo canes, 7ft long
• Garden wire or string

How to make the frame:

1. Start by sanding down any rough edges to the timber using the sandpaper. Now join together the top of the frame, screwing the 5ft lengths of timber to the 32in lengths. To prevent the wood from splitting, drill pilot holes one inch in from both ends of the two 5ft lengths of timber. Screw these to the ends of the 32in lengths using the 2.5in screws.
2. The rectangular top of your frame is now ready to screw to the 7ft 4in uprights. Measure and mark halfway along the two 32in sides of the top section. Drill pilot holes through these two points. Screw the top section to the uprights using the two 4in screws.
3. Next, dig two holes to accommodate the uprights. Then lift up the frame and bury the uprights into the ground, backfilling the holes and firming in with your boot to get a good, tight finish. A hole that’s at least one foot deep will work best.
4. Set the bamboo canes at equal distances along both sides of the frame. Push them into the ground to get an even finish along the top of the frame, and tie them in with wire, twine or string.
5. Now plant your beans, one to each cane. It won’t take long for the stems to latch onto the canes and begin twining round.

Share Your Ideas

Climbing vegetables are a must for gardeners looking to pack more into their plot. If you’ve got any ideas for home-made supports please do share them by dropping us a comment below!