This small bed has 5 wire grate trellises. It’s planted with cucumbers, smaller squashes, small melons, and tomatillos.
The wire mesh is a concrete reinforcing insert which is readily available and not expensive. Like the T-posts to which they are attached, they last indefinitely.
Everything is tied together with jute twine which I much prefer over plastic twine or plastic wire ties. Jute twine is inexpensive and biodegradable so there is no disposal issue.
Plants such as these practically have to be trellised. Imagine the sprawl, and the weeding and harvesting issues if the plants were not held up off the ground. Trellising allows easy pruning of unwanted and dead leaves and stems.
Many other plants prefer or lend themselves well to trellising including peas, beans, and tomatoes.
I’ve posted several blogs about my use of T-posts and wire mesh trellis inserts:
I have used t-posts and fences for years in western Pa. They work great on peas, cukes, squash, melons and tomato’s. the technique also permits easier picking and vegetables above mice, etc minimizing damage. Don’t overlook tomato cages as they are great for cukes and tomato’s.
Love the idea, so simple and easy to setup and boy would it ease weeding and harvesting. will definitely use next growing season