How to Make a Trellis Using Wood & a String

Plant a row of seeds in well-draining soil with full sun exposure. Thin the plant seedlings out to 2 feet apart after they sprout. Alternatively, directly plant seedlings spaced 2 feet apart in a straight line.

Measure every 10 to 12 feet along the plant row and mark the spots for the trellis posts on the ground with powdered chalk. Make sure each post mark is a few inches away from the seedling, closer to the wall or structure the seedling is planted in front of, to prevent root damage. Ensure that the chalk marks on the ground are in a straight line.

Dig a 24-inch-deep hole over each chalk mark with a posthole digger. Firm the soil along the base and walls of the hole with a length of 2-by-4-inch lumber. Set an 8-foot wood post into the hole and firm the soil around its end so it stands on its own. Repeat the process of installing the posts every 10 to 12 feet along the plant row.

Wind a length of heavy-gauge wire around the top of a corner post several times, and tuck its end under the loop or secure in place using 2-inch staples. Pull the wire taut and extend it to the adjacent post. Wrap it around the top of the adjacent post or staple it in place until secure, so it forms a straight line between the posts. Clip off excess wire using wire cutters.

Knot an end of garden string to the heavy-gauge wire between the tops of adjacent posts, and extend it down to the ground so it falls next to the plant. Continue the process of securing lengths of string to the heavy-gauge wire every 2 feet, ensuring the lower ends fall next to the plants on the ground.

Hammer the ends of a U-shaped staple in the soil, directly next to each plant seedling. Leave 1 inch of clearance between the top of the staple and the ground to provide room for the string.

Slide the other end of a string suspended to the heavy-gauge wire into the 1-inch gap in the ground staple. Pull the string taut and knot it to the top of the staple before cutting excess off with scissors. Pound the staple into the ground until its top is flush with the surrounding soil surface. Repeat the process of securing the lengths of string to the corresponding staples in the ground.

Secure the growing tendrils of the plant to the corresponding strings loosely with elastic ties, or twirl the tendrils around the string to encourage ascent. Once trained, the plants will climb the wood and string trellis with little or no assistance.