How to Make a Legged Trellis

Choose a location for your trellis that provides the proper amount of sun exposure for the vines you wish to plant. Many vines are sun lovers. For these vines, such as roses or squash, select a site that gets full sun for at least eight hours a day. A south-facing site is ideal. For shade-tolerant vines, such as Virginia creeper or Confederate jasmine, place the trellis in an area that is shaded all or part of the day, such as on the east or north side of a building or large tree.

Dig two holes with the post hole digger that are at least 2 feet deep and 8 feet apart, as measured from the center of one hole to the center of the other.

Mix the concrete with water in a wheelbarrow according to package directions. A hoe is an effective tool for doing this.

Set the posts in the two holes and fill around them with concrete. Use a level to make sure the posts are straight, and keep them straight until the concrete sets. One way to do this is to nail a 2-inch-by-2-inch board to each post and firmly brace the other end on the ground.

Use a trowel to smooth the concrete around the posts so that it tapers away from them. This prevents water from pooling around the posts and causing wood rot. Let the concrete set initially -- about 20 minutes for fast-setting concrete and two hours for standard mixes. Then allow it to cure, or harden all the way through, for two days before proceeding.

Attach the lattice sheet to the posts. Place the lattice horizontally against the posts about a foot off the ground and position it so that about 2 inches on each side rest on the posts. Use the level to straighten the lattice, and then nail the lattice securely to the posts.