The four “frame” pieces, laid out
	The hinge assembly connecting the two sides at the top
	The adjustable and replaceable feet
	How wide you make your “A” shape is up to you. The wider it is, the more stable it is
	Your veggies can start from both sides of the frame
	The finished product

This design represents one of the many different ways you can employ what Square Foot Gardening‘s Mel Bartholomew calls “vertical growing”. I’ve used this design for years, so it’s a “once you build it, you have it” kinda thing.

If you use raw plywood as I do, it will take at least 3-4 years for the wood to weather to the point of needing replacement. If you use higher quality wood or weather stain it, it will go even more.

My design has a unique feature that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It actually came out of necessity due to some termite damage and rot the trellis sustained one year. It builds in replaceable “feet” that you know in time will deteriorate.

That way you’re not having to replace the main lengths of wood. This design will produce one trellis approximately 6 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Moving along…

The list of things you’ll need:

• 7 Pieces of 1″ x 4″ x 6′ plywood, treated or untreated (you only really need 6 – one’s for backup)
• Box of wood screws (#8 – 1 1/2″ will do nicely)
• 36″ x 25′ roll of Hardware cloth
• Saw – manual or power electric
• Screwdriver – manual or electric
• Staple gun – manual or electric
• Wire cutters
• Pencil and tape measure

Optional:
• Square edge
• Wood sealer or varnish

Construction

1. Cut 2 of the 6-foot pieces in half to get 4 3-foot pieces.

2. Put two of these 3-foot pieces, along with two of the 6-foot pieces together at the edges, forming a “picture frame” shape.

3. Connect these four pieces with wood screws. Then repeat with the other 3-foot and 6-foot pieces. So now you have the two “sides” of the trellis.

4. Roll out enough hardware/fencing material to cover one side. Using your staple gun, staple it to the frame. Tip: Pull the hardware cloth tight as you are stapling it to the frame, otherwise it will sag in the middle.

5. Repeat for the other side/frame.

6. Screw in the two hinges at the top of the frame to connect the two frames. Tip: Do this while the two frames are laying open on the ground.

7. Make the “feet” pieces by first cutting another 6-foot piece into two 3-foot pieces.

8. Then, cut diagonally across the 3-foot piece to create two “feet” pieces. The pointed side will point downward and stick into the ground.

9. Repeat for the other two feet pieces

10. Screw the four feet pieces to the frames

The warmer weather is just around the corner… get ‘er done!