Trellises are essential for growing climbing plants, such as clematis vines (Clematis spp.) and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). They provide a structure onto which plants can climb and keep crops off the ground, making them less susceptible to rot and infestation. As plants grow, however, the weight can sometimes pull on the trellis and cause it to lean, especially with heavy vine crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). The plants can eventually pull the trellis to the ground without intervention in the form of braces.
Inspect the trellis to determine in which direction it leans so you can install braces on the correct side. If the trellis leans forward, install braces to the front of the trellis; if it leans to the left, install braces on the left side of the trellis.
Measure from the center of the trellis down to the ground at a 45-degree angle to determine the length needed for the braces.
Cut one 2-by-4-inch board for each end of the trellis, using the 45-degree angle measurement from the center of the trellis to the ground. This requires two boards to brace the front or back of the trellis or one board to brace the side of the trellis. The brace boards will be about 1.4 times the length of the 45-degree angle measurement from the ground to the trellis because the miter cuts take away from the overall length of the boards.
Cut a 45-degree angle miter cut on each end of a 2-by-4-inch board. Cut one end so the board lines up evenly with the trellis and the other end with a point to easily dig into the ground.
Push one end of the angle-cut 2-by-4 into the ground, then prop the trellis up with the other end of the board. Place the board on the center of a frame board on the edge of the trellis and not against the weaker lattice material.
Nail or screw the board to the trellis with 3-inch nails or screws. Repeat this process, installing an angle-cut 2-by-4 to each frame board on the side of the trellis you wish to support.
Things You Will Need
- Measuring tape
- 2-by-4-inch lumber
- Circular saw
- Miter saw
- Nails or screws
- Hammer or screwdriver
- Gravel, optional
- Bypass pruners, optional
- If the soil has poor drainage, you can put gravel under the end of the brace board to improve drainage and prevent the board from rotting in the ground.
- You may need to clip away foliage to gain access to the trellis if the climbing plant is overgrown.
- You can substitute other materials, such as metal pipe or sturdy branches, for the 2-by-4-inch board braces, depending on the trellis material.
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