How to Make Your Own Vine Border

Prepare the soil along the border so it meets the needs of the specific vine variety. Most vines require well-drained soil with moderate fertility. Work an application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer and a 1-inch-deep layer of compost into the soil prior to planting. Use the amount of fertilizer recommended on the package.

Erect a support system if a wall or trellis isn't already in place. Make the trellis tall enough to meet the expected growing height of the vine variety. Create a freestanding lattice trellis by installing wood fence posts and nailing wood or vinyl lattice panels to the posts.

Plant the vines along the base of the support. A single row of plants is sufficient for a border. Space the young vine plants as recommended on the plant labels, typically at least 8 inches apart. The border looks sparse while the plants are young, but the vines quickly grow and fill in the empty spaces.

Water the vines one to two times weekly, providing about 1 inch of water at each irrigation. An inch of water keeps the soil moist to a 6-inch depth.

Guide the vines onto the support once they are long enough to reach. Most vines climb on their own once their growing tip is attached or wrapped around the bottom of the support.

Trim the vines when they reach the top of the support. Pinch off the tip of each growing point to encourage lateral branching and to stop further upward growth. Some vine varieties will trail attractively onto the other side of the support if they aren't pinched, so refer to the specific care recommendations for the particular variety.