Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Install a Garden Trellis

Tip

If your trellis is large and/or heavy, you might consider securing it with concrete. Dig a hole, mix the quickset concrete in the hole according to package directions, and then set the trellis posts in the concrete. You can hide the concrete with soil or mulch when it is set. If installing a garden trellis in a large pot, secure the trellis to the pot with brackets for stability.

Warning

If you install your garden trellis within a few inches of your house, you may be inviting trouble. Insects such as termites can quickly transfer from the trellis to your home. The climbing plant might also begin growing on your home instead of the trellis. Over time, vegetation can destroy brick mortar and wood siding.

A garden trellis is a great way to add interest to your outdoor space. Trellises add height to your garden, and are great dividers for your garden area. If you want to add climbing vines to your garden, a trellis is a necessity. A climbing vine on a trellis is a beautiful way to hide an ugly wall. Follow these steps to properly install a garden trellis outside your home.

Choose a location for your garden trellis, making sure the area receives the required amount of sunlight needed by your climbing plant. You can install your trellis in the ground or in a large pot.

  • A garden trellis is a great way to add interest to your outdoor space.
  • If you want to add climbing vines to your garden, a trellis is a necessity.

Determine if the bottom trellis posts are sufficient for driving into the ground or pot. If the trellis is freestanding, it needs to be driven about 2 feet into the ground for stability. If the trellis is in front of a wall, post, or other solid object, the trellis can be secured with a bracket. If the posts are not long enough, add a length of wood or metal post.

Drive the trellis into the ground (or potted soil) with a hammer or mallet. If the ground is too hard to drive the posts into the ground, dig a hole, insert the trellis posts, and then fill and pack the hole with soil.

Use a level to determine if the garden trellis is level vertically and horizontally. Adjust the trellis if necessary.

  • Determine if the bottom trellis posts are sufficient for driving into the ground or pot.
  • If the trellis is in front of a wall, post, or other solid object, the trellis can be secured with a bracket.

Secure the center of the trellis to a nearby wall or post, if necessary. This will prevent the trellis from shifting or falling over time due to the weight of the climbing plant.

Plant your climbing plant at the base of the trellis and weave all long vines through the trellis as desired. The plant will continue to grow, weaving through the trellis, but might require occasional adjustment to achieve your desired look.

Related Articles

How to Secure a Trellis in the Ground
How to Secure a Trellis in the Ground
How to Make Mandevilla Bloom
How to Make Mandevilla Bloom
How to Make a String Trellis
How to Make a String Trellis
How to Attach a Trellis to a Fence
How to Attach a Trellis to a Fence
The Differences Between a Lattice & a Trellis
The Differences Between a Lattice & a Trellis
How to Attach Trellises to a Chain Link Fence for Privacy
How to Attach Trellises to a Chain Link Fence for Privacy
Deer Resistant Climbing Plants
Deer Resistant Climbing Plants
How to Stabilize a Pergola
How to Stabilize a Pergola
How to Grow Bleeding Hearts Indoors
How to Grow Bleeding Hearts Indoors
How to Dig Up a Wisteria
How to Dig Up a Wisteria
How to Grow Raspberries in Raised Beds
How to Grow Raspberries in Raised Beds
Garden Guides
×