How to: A Living Wall Trellis

Measure and make a mark 1 inch down from the top of each 2-by-2 board on the center of one side, using the tape measure and pencil. The boards will be the vertical supports for your trellis.

Measure down a post from the pencil mark to the desired end point for the horizontal wire, using the tape measure. Make a pencil mark on the center of the post at this location and repeat for the opposite post.

Snap a chalk line between the two pencil marks on each post.

Measure the distance between the top and bottom pencil marks on a post, using the tape measure, and make note of the measurement.

Make a mark every 6 to 8 inches along the entire length of the chalk line with a pencil.

Drill a pilot hole at each mark, using the power drill and drill bit. Insert a screw eye into each hole and tighten it firmly. Repeat this step for the opposite post.

Make two pencil marks 4 feet apart on the wall, at the height where you wish to attach the top of your trellis, using the tape measure and pencil. Ensure that the marks are level with each other, using a standard level.

Measure from the top mark on the wall down the distance equal to the amount obtained in Step 4. Ensure that the tape measure is level vertically, using the standard level, and make a pencil mark at the final location.

Repeat this step for the opposite side.

Cut six 2 1/2-inch-long pieces of pipe to serve as spacers between the trellis and wall, using the tape measure and power saw.

Lay your posts on a flat surface with the screw eyes facing inward. Measure and mark for three, evenly spaced pilot holes along the side facing up, using the tape measure and pencil.

Drill a pilot hole at each pencil mark, using the power drill and drill bit.

Insert a wood screw through the top left pilot hole and slip a spacer over the screw where it exits the rear of the post.

Position the trellis against the wall and line up the end of the screw over the top, left hole. Tighten the screw firmly into the hole, using the power drill and screwdriver bit.

Repeat steps 12 and 13 starting with the top right hole and continue for the remaining holes in each post to attach the supports securely to the wall.

Tie one end of the plastic-coated wire tightly to a top screw eye. Stretch the wire across to the opposite post and thread it through the corresponding screw eye. Thread the wire down through the next screw eye below and back across to the other post and through the corresponding screw eye.

Continue threading the wire through the screw eyes, working down and across to the last screw eye. Tie a firm knot and cut off the excess wire.

Plant your climbing plants beneath the trellis and train them to climb the wire to begin your living wall.