DIY String Trellis for Tomatoes: Boost Growth & Save Space.
Are you tired of flimsy tomato cages? With this simple DIY project, you can build a sturdy, reusable string trellis in just a few hours. This trellis will maximize your garden space and encourage healthy tomato growth, leading to a harvest of beautiful, delicious tomatoes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 8 1×2 boards (pre-cut lumber for convenience)
- Jute twine (weatherproof and strong)
- Small eye bolts
- Screws
- Drill
How to Build a DIY Tomato Trellis
- Assemble the Trellis Frame: Pre-drill holes in the 1×2 boards and screw them together to form an “X” on each corner of your raised garden bed. Attach the Xs to the bed for stability. Add a horizontal board across the top to complete the frame.
- Reinforce the Base: For extra support, screw additional 1×2 boards along the bottom front of the trellis, close to your tomato plants. Secure the top joint of the Xs with screws for added stability.
- Install the String Support: Screw eye bolts into the top horizontal board and the 1×2 boards next to each tomato plant. Space the eye bolts evenly to accommodate your tomato plants.
- Create the String Network: Unroll a long piece of jute twine and secure it to a bottom corner eye bolt. Weave the twine vertically, looping it through the top eye bolt, then down to the next plant’s eye bolt, before looping back up to the top and continuing the pattern. Secure the twine with knots at the end. Repeat on the other side of the trellis.
How To Use a DIY String Tomato Trellis
That’s it! As your tomatoes grow, simply guide their stems to wrap around the twine for support. This easy-to-build trellis offers several advantages:
- Sturdy and Reusable: Made with strong materials, this trellis can withstand the weight of mature tomato plants and last for multiple seasons.
- Space-Saving Design: The vertical string system maximizes your garden space compared to bulky cages.
- Promotes Healthy Growth: The trellis encourages proper tomato vine growth, leading to better air circulation and fruit production.
With this DIY string trellis, you’re on your way to a thriving tomato harvest!
More Garden Inspiration
Love this DIY string trellis project? At Rocky Hedge Farm, I am passionate about helping you grow a beautiful and bountiful garden. Here are some additional resources to inspire your gardening journey:
- Raised Garden Beds: Learn how to build your own raised garden beds, perfect for creating a productive and organized growing space – just like we did for this trellis!
- Flower Power: Discover tips on creating a vibrant cut flower garden, allowing you to enjoy beautiful blooms all season.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. We plan on planting tomatoes and I wanted to incorporate this in our bed.
This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing. I am new to your blog and really love your content! I’ll be visiting more often. 🙂
I receive your emails and love your blog..I will be showing my husband this so we can do this with our tomatoes..thank you!
Love the design. How long are the 1×2 boards?
They are about 8 ft long, but you can make them the length that you need. Just keep in mind how tall your tomatoes may grow.
You never state how long 1×2 boards are?? Any help please,
Thank you
Mine are about 8 ft long.
Hi,
This looks great. Thank you for taking the time to share your plans. Do you have any pictures of what your plants looked like on the trellis as they matured?
Hi,
I love this idea! I’m wondering what variety of tomato you grew with this trellis? I am growing a large heirloom variety & wonder if this would be strong enough.
I grew large heirloom varieties and it worked well!
What kind of tomatoes plants did you grow?
I grow a variety of heirloom-type tomatoes.