Rustic Tepees for Growing Vines

Materials

• The materials used to construct the tepees depend on the vine and the look desired. Use bamboo poles for lightweight, small vines. This type of vine will grow well running up strong string or twine. Heavy vines require a heavy-duty structure for support. Round landscape poles provide a sturdy construction, but use wire to run the vines up. Another option for a rustic look are long poles made of tree branches with the bark still intact.

Construction

• Place three to five poles together with the tops leaning into each other. Wrap the top of the tepee with wire. Cut the wire with wire cutters and twist the ends together to secure the poles together. Spread the legs of the tepee out to form a 3-foot-wide circle. This gives a sturdy base for the tepee. Push bamboo poles into the ground up to 12 inches deep to provide extra strength to the tepee.

Training

• Tie a string or wire 2 inches from the bottom of the tepee. Wrap the string around the tepee in rows, spacing each row 3 to 4 inches apart. This provides a network that the vines will climb. Amend the soil between the legs with compost and plant the vine seeds or young vine plants in the soil. Water the soil. When the vines are tall enough, drape them over the bottom string or wire. As the vines grow, weave them in and out of the strings. Train the vines to grow down the other side once the vines have reached the top.

Dismantling the Tepee

• When an annual vine has complete its life cycle at the end of the growing season, or if you want to move your tepee to a different location, begin by pulling the plant debris off the tepee and unwinding the string. If the tepee is going to be used next year, then leave the top secured, otherwise remove the wire. Fold or stack the tepee poles in an out-of-the-way place. Using untreated wood makes the tepee susceptible to insect damage and wood rot. Inspect your tepee poles each year and replace any rotting pieces.