Trellis Your Green Beans! 7 “How To” tips.

Green beans or snap beans, are great fresh from the garden, canned or frozen. One of my fondest memories as a kid was picking green beans from my aunt’s garden and snapping them on the front porch with my dad, uncle, cousins, brother and sister. Okay, it wasn’t “fond” at the time, but you know what I mean. As a kid we never want to do anything but, when we look back as an adult, the view is much different. As a kid, I hated it. As an adult I remember great conversations and lots of laughter with family.

As adults we find ourselves doing the very things we despised as a kid. How many times did you wonder if there were child labor laws against weeding your parents’ garden?

So you want a garden but space is limited? Whether you’re container gardening, or have a small garden, there is a way to grow your green beans and take up minimal space. “How is that?” You ask?

The trellis. That’s right. The type of green bean you’re looking for is a, “pole bean”(aptly named don’t ya think?) You will have to train the plant to climb (which isn’t difficult) but once you do, the space you use is “up” not “out”. If you have a small space the pole bean is for you.

There is another good reason for building a trellis. The trellis allows you to harvest your beans while standing upright! So take some of the pressure off your knees and back, and build that trellis.

All the ideas I’m show you today can be used regardless of your garden size. Just make adjustments accordingly.

Here are 7 great ideas and examples.

1. Garden Trellis: This video will show you a basic design for a large trellis in your garden. If you are container gardening you can use the same idea – but make it much smaller.

2. Teepee: I picked this one because it’s just cool. Here they used sticks they found to create the foundation for the trellis. Such a great idea, cheap, and eco-friendly. Why can’t I think of things like this?http://www.urbanfoodgrower.com/growing-pole-beans-on-a-pole-bean-teepee-trellis

3. Bamboo poles: Here is an offering using bamboo poles and instructions. Simple yet very attractive. http://tallcloverfarm.com/1838/at-stake-pole-beans-need-your-support

4. Small is effective: This photo proves you can grow green beans in a container. A small trellis was created and it looks like very little work is required. The Trellis is within the container itself. The plant grows “up” not “out”. Pretty neat. http://www.grow-it-organically.com/growing-green-beans.html

5. Back saver: Not only is this trellis easy on your back it’s a conversation piece as well. I picked this one because I would love to put this in my backyard so my friends and family could ask me, “how did you do that?” It’s absolutely gorgeous. There is nothing wrong with creating beautiful things to help your plants grow. Also, equally interesting, if you look at the bottom of the trellis, you will see the beans are not planted in the ground. They are in containers.There are no instructions, but it looks to me like PVC pipe and string. I’m sure the adventurous out there will have no problem making one for themselves. I’m not a builder myself but this is going on my list of, “things to do.” Or my husband’s list. http://www.jeffersonsdaughters.com/2013/07/25/whats-at-stake/

6. Trellis in a Raised Garden Bed: If any of you built your own raised garden this year, and you want to add a trellis, here is an article you’re going to love. Not only is this an attractive trellis, there are full instructions and a materials list. http://eartheasy.com/blog/2013/04/how-to-build-a-bean-trellis-for-raised-garden-beds/

7. Re-purposing: My last choice is all about, “re-purposing.” The photo shows an Arbor that has, what looks like, squash growing around it. If you have an arbor you’re just not sure what to do with? Don’t tear it down. Use it to grow anything that climbs to include green beans. You could also do this with an old swing. Let your imagination run wild. Gardening should be fun and if you have kids get them involved. One day your kids may too, look back, and have great memories of gardening with you.

Author-Melissa Hovey