DIY A-Frame Garden Trellis
Within this post, you will learn, step-by-step, how to build an easy DIY A-frame garden trellis. After reading this tutorial, you too can build a trellis for the climbing vegetables in your garden.
Backstory
After last years beginner experience to raised bed vegetable gardening, I have decided to add some things to our garden for a fruitful harvest. Last year my daughter and I started a raised bed garden for educational purposes fun. Not much thought was put into last years garden as it was our first year growing and learning.
However, after our experience last year; some in-depth research, and proper planning, I am sure we will have the harvest of our dreams this year (fingers crossed). The first thing I decided we needed to help us reach our goal is a trellis for our cucumbers. I learned that cucumbers love to climb and I did not have the proper set-up for them.
I now know, I need something for the vining vegetables to climb, like this:
As for trellis construction, I reviewed some options; wood vs metal vs bamboo vs string vs chicken wire. I decided on a simple classic looking trellis that didn’t look to difficult to replicate. No surprise, I could not find plans for a DIY A-frame garden trellis like I was looking for. Also, if you are looking to purchase an already made trellis, they can get pretty pricey. This build can be done for around $20.
For this project, I opted to go with untreated 1″x2″ pine boards. Finding straight 1″x2″ x 8′ strips of lumber was a challenge, in fact, even the best boards I could find still had some bowing to them.
Design Thoughts
While researching design ideas, I happened to like the look of the A-frame. Ease of harvest is also something to consider while planning trellis design and location. An A-frame design will allow for me to see produce from the underside and easily pick.
A-Frame Trellis
I will make 2 trellises and attach them together with hinges so that they will make an A-frame over two garden boxes like this:
Trellis Against a House or Fence
The design below can be used as two individual trellises propped against the house or fence like this:
If propping against the house make sure they are secured (We get a lot of wind where I am). Also consider if you will easily be able to access the cucumbers for harvest.
This is a simple one day project (2 hours total sanding took the most time). There is only one size board to buy (1×2) and only two cut lengths (55″ and 41″). There is little to no waste as most of the cuts are just cutting the 1x2x8′ once.
If you haven’t already, check out this blog post which details a few of my most used beginner tools for DIY fans and homeowners. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the exact products I use. For full disclosure statement, click here.
Without further chatter, here are the simple directions for a DIY A-frame garden trellis.
Supplies
- 1″x2″x8′ (9)
- 1.25″ nails (brad nails mine is a 18G)
- Stakes
- Sealant of choice
- hinges
Tools
- Saw (there are so few cuts, you can always have the lumber store make the cuts)
- Hammer or nail gun
- Speed square
- Pencil
- Sander (or sand paper)
Cut List
- 1″ x2″ x 55″ (8)
- 1″ x 2″ x 41″ (10)
Directions for DIY A-Frame Garden Trellis
Find the best looking 1″x2″x8″ boards at your local hardware store. This can be a challenge as many of the pine 1×2’s at my store were warped, bowed, and splintering.
Make all your cuts if you didn’t already have them do it at the store (up to 10 cuts are free, usually).
Sand everything down , you don’t want anyone especially little garden helpers getting a splinter. This part took me the most time as the boards were very rough.
Finding a flat surface, lay 4 of the 55″ pieces out with a 10″ gap between each one.
Place the shorter 41″ pieces 5 tall on top. It should look like this:
Next take a tape measure and speed square to make all spaces even and square. There are 4″ at the top and about 3″ on the sides, like this:
I wasn’t too concerned about making the bottoms and sides exact as you cant tell, the tops of the 55″ boards should be even if you are attaching hinges.
Secure Boards
Start assembly of the trellis using a brad nailer or good old fashioned hammer and nails. I was checking measurements and gaps before nailing each section.
Once you have one trellis completed, repeat the process as many times as desired. I made 2 trellises to make one DIY A-frame garden trellis.
After all trellises are constructed, seal with preferred sealant, I used this one here. I’m not thrilled that oil based, but it was the only exterior sealant I had on hand. If you are propping individual trellises against the house the project is complete!
Hinge Attachment
Once the sealant is dry to the touch attached two together with a hinge to make the A-frame. To do this, lay each A-frame down on a flat surface butted up to one another.
Using pilot holes, drill into each trellis where hinges will go. Then attach hinges in desired location. I planned on attaching 4 hinges , 1 for each top board, but I went with only 2 hinges. Warping of boards caused only 2 hinges to match up correctly. They get the job done.
For extra support, attach stakes to the bottom 4 boards. There is a lot of wind here, therefore, I will be staking the bottoms.
Now the DIY A-frame garden trellis is complete and ready for placement.
Cost Breakdown
For 1 A-frame DIY garden trellis (or 2 individual trellises) the total cost was: $17.93.
- Lumber: (9) 1″x2″x8′ @ $1.77 = $15.93
- Hinges: $2.00 for a 2 pack
I already had nails and sealant on hand. The cost will be closer to $33 for 1 garden trellis if you have to buy nails and sealant. While looking for inspiration, I saw similar smaller trellises for far online for around $90. To make exactly what I wanted cost me much than buying.
Final Thoughts.
With these directions you too can make a DIY garden trellis for $20-$30. To customize, change the length and/or width to fit your space perfectly. The trellises will look phenomenal with stain or paint too. The options are endless!
If you liked this tutorial please share to Pinterest! Also if you try this project for yourself, I would love to see how it turned out, leave a picture and comment below. For more DIY ideas subscribe and follow me on Pinterest.