Over the last few months I’ve been busy clearing the backyard. Pulling up roots, sticker bushes, weeds and cutting down a few saplings in the process. All in an effort to enlarge my growing space for this summers garden. Trying to reach my goal of growing 2,000 lbs of fresh fruits and vegetables in my backyard is no easy task.
The one thing I am trying to keep at the top of my list is how to maximize my space and still make the backyard look appealing. Although I believe I am a country girl at heart, I can’t have the backyard look like a farm. I do live in high maintenance suburbia after all.
This is where being a little artistic comes in handy. Sure, I could shell out big bucks on a landscaper and buy all my supplies at Costco and have the project completed over the course of one weekend, but why would I want to do that? I actually enjoy the process. I like getting dirt under my fingernails and wearing dirty jeans with grass stained knees. I also like knowing that no one else has what I have. My garden is an original. I created it with my own hands. Hard work and personal satisfaction is something you cannot put a price tag on.
So how did I make the trellis?
If you have never made a garden trellis from sticks before it is a piece of cake. Not only is making a simple pea or bean trellis out of sticks easy, it’s free. Hot diggety dog, I sure love the word FREE.
To make a trellis simply cut off the ends of {9} 6′ sticks and line them up in a grid pattern {5 sticks by 4 sticks}. Try to but the ends of the sticks up against a board or other straight surface so you don’t end up with a crooked trellis.
Tie the sticks together at each crossing {I tied triple knots}.
I like to use Luster Leaf twine for my garden projects because it comes with a built-in twine cutter. Once you have all your knots tied carefully lift your trellis up and move it into place.
If I can do this, you can do this. If you don’t have sticks to harvest from your own backyard, take a hike, or a walk in the park to collect some. Find your inner pilgrim… and go with it!
Luster Leaf Rapiclip Natural Twine in Dispenser Can – 325 Foot
Making Bentwood Trellises, Arbors, Gates & Fences (Rustic Home Series)
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Kara S says
Awesome, I love it! Here sticky stick sticks….
Mavis says
Ha Ha Ha. 🙂 Here sticky sticks is right.
JenniferM says
I have huge plans for my garden this year but looks like my family and I won’t be in our new home until mid May. Any suggestions or advise on what will do well being planted that time of year? I am in S.W. Idaho btw. Thanks!!
Mavis says
I like to plant my beans, cucumbers, zucchini, sunflowers, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes out in the garden about mid to late May so you will be fine. Mid may is the perfect time to plant anything except broccoli, peas, cabbage or any other cold weather veggies. But no worries you can plant those in the fall. You can even plant carrots and potatoes in May too. Congrats on the new home. 🙂
Penny Powell says
Hi Mavis –
I am really enjoying your website, which I just found yesterday. I’m particularly fascinated by the idea of salvaging unwanted food and by the prospect of going full-force into utilizing coupons. However, I’m a (nearly) 100% organic food consumer. How can I make the most of your blog and the incredible world of coupons when I rarely shop at a conventional grocery store and when I do, it’s for organic food?
By the way, I live in Western Massachusetts and have a large garden that I’m going to have the time, energy, and help to make very productive this year.
Thank you,
Penny
Mavis says
Here is a great link Penny http://www.organicdeals.com/
lauren says
I live in a tiny apartment and I’m forced to keep my garden in pots. I planted peas and they’re very ready to have a trellis but I can’t seem to find how to make one for a container garden. I got small bamboo sticks and some twine. I also am growing strawberries, spearmint, tomatoes, and carrots. Do I just stick a stick in next to a pea plant and use twine to keep it there? Same for tomatoes?
Mavis says
Yep. That is a great way to start the trellis. They’ll take it from there!
christine says
Great idea!
Just had wonderful stick-gathering expedition with my husband and two boys. We’re now driving home with some very nice (if curvy) specimens in the back of the minivan. 🙂