PDC LESSON 2.38 DESIGN – VERTICAL GARDEN / TIPI TRELLIS

 

PERMCULTURE COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

PDC LESSON 2.38 DESIGN – VERTICAL GARDEN / TIPI TRELLIS

 

Heavy vegetables, especially vine vegetables such as tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and peas (Pisum sativum) need a trellis support structure to train plant growth. Trellises also keep the vegetables off the ground, making them less susceptible to rot and infestation. Trellises range in design from sturdy steel structures to simple cord designs. The type of trellis needed depends on the weight of the plants and the developing fruit. You can build your own trellises instead of buying expensive ready-made trellises from a gardening store.

1.

Install 8-foot-long posts about 2 feet deep in the ground and about 4 feet apart. Anchor 4" x 4" wood posts to concrete or drive steel T-posts with a T-post driver to build a sturdy trellis for heavy vegetables like tomatoes. For smaller sized trellises, such as for peas or pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), cut one end of 2-by-2-inch planks with 45-degree mitre cuts to create stakes that you can drive into the stakes with a sledgehammer can hit the ground.

2.

Attach a horizontal support structure to the posts to allow the vegetables to climb. Mount heavy wire livestock panels to lumber posts with 1-inch brackets or attach to T-posts with 16-gauge wire to support heavy veg. For lighter plants, attach chicken wire or wood trellis sheets to the 2 x 2" stakes with 1" screws, or tie string to the stakes, creating horizontal rows about 6" to 8" apart on the stakes.

3.

Weave the ends of lighter plants like runner beans in and out of the network of horizontal and vertical supports on the trellis. Repeat this frequently as the plants grow to keep them trained to trellis.

4.

Tie heavier plant stems, like tomatoes, to the trellis with soft twine or long strips of cotton fabric.

5.

Place vigorously developing fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers and melons, in slings made of nylon pantyhose or other stretchy fabric to prevent them from slipping off the vine. Tie the noose to the trellis so that the developing vegetables will rely on the trellis to support their weight rather than pulling on the plant stem. Make sure the sling material you choose will stretch to allow the developing vegetables to grow.

6.

Tie a string to the trellis, slide the string under a group of developing vegetables such as tomatoes, and then tie the other end of the string to the trellis; The string prevents the cluster from sagging and dropping the veggies. Tie the string tight enough to support the weight but loose enough not to stress the stems.