Explore the Advantages of Using Raised Garden Beds with Trellises - Discover Attractive Design Concepts Too
In the world of gardening, raised garden beds with trellises have become a popular choice among enthusiasts this year. These structures offer numerous benefits that make them an ideal addition to any garden.
Raised beds provide better accessibility, earlier warming of soil, improved drainage, and fewer weeds, all of which contribute to a healthier growing environment. But perhaps the most significant advantage is the increased growing space per square foot. A trellis helps expand this space further by encouraging plants to grow vertically, effectively doubling or more the planting area in the same footprint.
Amy Grant, a professional chef, caterer, and gardener with 30 years of gardening experience and 15 years of writing experience, emphasizes the importance of culinary gardening. She explains, "A trellis not only adds a vertical growing dimension but also enhances plant health and garden aesthetics while optimizing limited gardening space."
There are various ways to build a trellis for a raised garden bed. One creative idea is to stack two narrow raised beds vertically and incorporate a trellis between or above them, maximizing vertical space while supporting vining plants like peas, beans, or cucumbers.
Another option is to use repurposed materials, such as old metal frames from baby cribs or bed springs, heavy-duty wire fencing, or concrete reinforcing mesh, to create sturdy and unique trellis structures. For a more decorative touch, fan-shaped thin lumber trellises can be used for climbing plants like peas and beans.
The material for a trellis can range from free-standing items like tomato cages or stakes and twine, to more expensive options like galvanized fencing, rebar, wood, chicken wire, or plastics like PVC piping. For heavier crops or those with thick vines, metal stakes or rebar are recommended.
When building a trellis, consider factors such as the crop to be trellised, its weight, budget, location, and desired lifespan. For wind stability and weight support, metal or wood stakes should be deeply pounded into the ground. Trellises can be situated off to the side or centered, and their location can even be chosen to allow crops like beans or snap peas to climb up against the house, garage, or outbuilding.
Incorporating a trellis into your raised garden bed setup not only enhances plant health and garden aesthetics but also makes harvesting and maintenance easier by keeping plants off the ground. With a trellis, you can grow a variety of vining crops like peas, beans, squash, melons, cucumbers, and indeterminate types of tomatoes, all while optimizing your limited gardening space.
For smaller spaces, a self-watering tomato pot with a built-in trellis is available, or existing planter boxes can be used as support for lighter-weight vines and fruit with the use of sturdy twine. For those who prefer a more modern approach, tomato towers can be used for climbing crops in raised beds.
Ultimately, the versatility and benefits of trellises in raised garden beds make them an essential tool for any gardener looking to maximize their growing space and cultivate a thriving garden.
Raised garden beds with trellises are not only popular among enthusiasts for their vertical growing space optimization, but they also enhance the overall aesthetic of a home-and-garden, making them an ideal addition to any lifestyle. By growing vining plants like peas, beans, and cucumbers vertically, one can extend the planting area significantly, making a fashion-and-beauty statement in the gardening world.
