DIY · Gardening · Homesteading · Urban Homesteading

PVC Pipe Garden Trellis Sculptures

Early in spring I was thinking about the cool structures I had seen last fall at a non-profit farm. I wanted to put one up, and the “giraffe” was born. I repurposed PVC pipes I had used in hoop house frames (½” size), and also used the ¾” pipes that Kirk had cut me to use for the same things, that held the smaller poles.

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Pound the holders into the cleared soil, using a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet. I tied the poles at the top with zip ties, heavy-duty twine or rope will work as well. Then insert the poles into the holders. If doing by yourself, expect cussing and hilarity to ensue…..

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We attached trellis netting, using small zip ties.

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Then, with visions of grandeur…I planted pole beans. That I swear WERE NOT POLE BEANS. They grew like bush beans, and never got over a foot tall. I am learning what seed companies to avoid at this point. The beans were also not very good either…oh well!

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I also planted Fordhook Nasturtiums, which are a trailing one. On a side note, I planted all my seeds on the outside. I think that I should have done half outside, half inside, just on the edge.

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Added in 2 little chairs for the boys, and the flowers were incredible this summer. On a side note, we found an even better use for the trellis – the ever bearing strawberries love it, and we have wound runners up it. It gets the berries off the ground, and it makes picking very easy.

I am going to leave the trellis up over the winter, to see how it fares. And if it comes through, I will plant Nasturiums again, along with the right beans. The boys loved having a little hide-a-way, even if it wasn’t as covered as I would have hoped for.