How to choose a trellis for your kitchen garden?

Courtney’s garden designed and installed by Garden Girls

Trellises are a wonderful addition to any kitchen garden.  They can double your growing space by allowing you to grow vertically.  And, when you are not growing veggies on your trellis, your trellis provides a focal point and visual interest to your garden space.

Favorite Veggies that Need a Trellis

In Houston gardens, our favorite veggies that grow on a trellis are tomatoes, cucumbers, and sugar snap peas.  Tomatoes and cucumbers occupy the space in spring, summer, and fall; while sugar snap peas use the trellis in cooler months. 

Trellises can also be used when growing vining plants, like climbing roses, jasmine, morning glory, and bougainvillea.

Factors To Consider When Purchasing a Trellis

Sturdiness-  A trellis should be sturdy so it supports the weight of your vining veggies.  Garden Girls use iron trellises that will last years, not just a season.

Height-  A trellis should be at least 5’ tall.  Veggies might start 4” tall, but they will grow much taller during the growing season.  You want to have plenty of room for your veggies to spread.

Crosspieces-  Look for a trellis with lots of crosspieces or rungs for your veggies to cling to while they grow.  Cucumbers and sugar snap peas have tendrils that cling naturally to trellises, but your tomatoes will need some aid.  We like to use Velcro plant tape to support our tomatoes as they grow up the trellis.

Pyramid Trellises

Types of Trellises

An arch trellis is the quintessential garden art.  An arch is a statement trellis to use when you have two or more kitchen gardens.  An arch creates an outdoor room by adjoining your gardens. 

Obelisk and Pyramid trellises are great for a kitchen garden where you can walk around all sides.  They can also be used as a wonderful feature in your perennial landscaping.  Obelisks and pyramids can be more decorative and make an impact in any space.

Panel Trellises are the classic trellis.  We like to use a panel trellis in border gardens, these are gardens that have a structure behind them, like a fence or wall.  Panel trellises are also great when affixed to a home’s exterior wall for more growing space. 

Trellises are an important aspect of raised bed gardening. We always encourage clients to add trellises to their kitchen garden design for functionality and beauty.  And, you don’t have to choose just one. You can have different types of trellises in your garden space, trust us it looks great!

If you wish to purchase one of our trellises and you live in Houston, please contact us info@gardengirlstx.com.