The Affordable DIY Trellis That's Perfect For Your Climbing Plants

Gardening is a great way to add some exercise and more time in nature into your life. It can also even improve your diet, as you are more likely to eat the things you grow. All of this can help reduce stress, making gardening good for your mental health. Whether you are becoming an expert gardener or just beginning, investing in climbing plants and vines is a beautiful addition to any home paradise. But, you will be needing a trellis to give your plants support. 

An arch trellis can be both a practical tool in your yard and a beautiful statement piece. However, they are not a cheap investment. A plain metal arch trellis can cost around $60 at Home Depot, while anything more intricate can cost upwards of $450. Luckily, this DIY trellis idea from @diariesofplantgirl is perfect for your plants and exceptionally affordable.

Start your project with a trip to your local hardware store to search for some ladder mesh. This can usually be found next to the rebar. You are looking to purchase enough to create your arch, so consider how tall you want the arch to be before heading to the store. Two ten-foot pieces is probably plenty. You will also want to purchase some garden wire. For just these materials, you can create a trellis for around $10. If you don't already have them, you will also want to buy two planks of wood, some screws, pliers, and some gloves, which may increase the overall cost slightly. Once you have gathered all the materials, you will be ready to start your DIY project.

To create this trellis, you are going to overlap the two edges of the ladder mesh and tie them together using pieces of gardening wire. Start by lining up the ladder mesh so that a section or two is overlapping. Then, use the pliers to cut strips of gardening wire, and wear some gloves for safety. Wrap the wire tightly around the long ends of the ladder mesh, and then wrap the horizontal pieces together too. With your remaining wire, create a simple design (like an x) across the gap between each side of the ladder mesh. This will provide a spot for your plant vines to cling too. 

Once finished, you can bend the edges of the ladder mesh with your foot in a closed toe shoe to help create the arch. Finally, place your arch against your planter box and then add the wood on top. Screw the wood plank into the planter box so that the metal trellis is in the middle. Repeat the other side, and your trellis will be ready to use.

If you want a thicker trellis, you could always repeat this process multiple times. Then, use the garden wire to attach the individual pieces together. You could also spray paint the arch before installing, if you wanted it to be a solid color in case the edges of your trellis peek through the leaves of your plant. Finally, don't forget to add some plants perfect for using with a trellis to your garden. Fast-growing morning glories, prolific cucumbers, and electric-hued bougainvillea are all wonderful plants to start with.