How to Make a Biodegradable Bean Trellis

Beans will climb just about anything. There are several methods for trellising beans, and many of them can be made with biodegradable materials. Many Native American cultures used corn as a trellis for their beans. They let the corn get 2 or 3 feet tall and then planted beans at the base of the corn. As the cornstalks grew, the beans climbed up the stalk. Wooden stakes and twine work just as well for the modern-day gardener.

2 sturdy poles of 8-foot-long untreated lumber
Hemp twine
Small wooden stakes
Hacksaw
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a notch about an inch deep across the top of two 8-foot-long, sturdy wooden poles. A hacksaw works well for this. Lumber is often treated with chemicals to resist termites or to add a degree of water resistance, so ensure that you use only untreated lumber.
- 2
  Sink the unnotched end of a pole 2 feet into the ground at each end of your planting bed. Concrete is not necessary; just tamp the soil around the poles to secure them.
- 3
  Cut a length of twine long enough to reach from the outside edge of one pole to the outside edge of the other. Tie a knot in one end of the twine and slide it into the notch you made in one of the poles. Stretch it tightly across to the other pole, tie a knot and slide it into the notch. Notches allow you to secure your twine without the use of metal fasteners like nails or staples.
- 4
  Cut lengths of twine long enough to reach from the twine across the top of your trellis to the ground. You'll need one piece of twine for each bean plant.
- 5
  Tie each length of twine to a small wooden stake and place them in the ground next to each bean plant.
- 6
  Stretch the twine taut and tie it to the twine strung across the top of the trellis.

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