Giant Tomato Trellis

19 years ago

My giant tomato trellis is constructed on a 4-foot square raised bed. In this bed I plant four tomato plants spaced 2 feet apart giving each plant 4 square feet of space. A 4-foot pathway covered with wood chips separates each 4-foot bed.

I have devised a novel way of connecting the corners of the raised bed by using 1 Â½ inch PVC pipe. The PVC pipe corners serve a dual purpose. They not only hold the boards together but they also serve as sockets for the insertion of 1" plastic pipe 4 feet long for the trellis. The tops of these four corner posts are connected together in a square using angles and tees. None of the connectors are cemented, just jammed together. This makes for easy assembly and disassembly for winter storage.

In order to support the 6-foot indeterminate tomato plants, I use the Florida weave between the diagonal posts, spacing the twine every foot up the 4-foot posts. Only one variety of tomatoes is planted in each bed.

The corner sockets can also be used to construct a fence by inserting 2 foot pieces of 1 inch PVC pipe in each corner fastener and wrapping it with plastic netting 2 feet high. A frame for a canopy can also be built by inserting flexible Â½ inch water pipe 8 feet long in diagonal corners. This could be covered with plastic sheeting for a miniature green house to prolong the gardening season a few more months.

The raised beds are constructed of 2 X 8 pressure treated lumber. To make the plastic pipe corners, I cut the 1-Â½ inch PVC pipe into 7 Â½ inch pieces. I then drill four 1/8th inch holes clear through the pipe at right angles to each other opposite to where they will be screwed to the 4' board sides using 2" deck screws. In order to insert a 2-inch deck screw, the two holes on one side have to be reamed larger with a 3/8th inch drill bit. These holes are drilled an inch from both ends of the PVC pipe corner.

Some photos http://picasaweb.google.com/Beeziboy/VerticleGrowingCantaloupe

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Comments (7)

deep_roots
19 years ago
I really like the idea of using pipe at the corners of the bed in which to establish tomato supports, a trellis, a fence, a greenhouse cover, or a shade cloth cover. As your lumber ages and warps, how have these fasteners worked out? I am switching from deck screws to lag bolts and washers to help keep my beds aligned.

I have twin 2.5" x 12" raised beds, made from 2" x 12" lumber. Your tomato support idea is interesting. Note that I have another thread on tomato supports that has some great ideas posted by others. The link is included below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Supports
beeziboy
Original Author
19 years ago
Deep Roots:

I have 21 four foot square raised beds and have no trouble with warping or twisting. The oldest are 5 years and they should last 10 more as they are pressure treated 2 X 8s.

I wonder if using lag bolts in the corner sockets would prevent the 1" verticle PVC pipe from being inserted. I have no trouble using 2" deck screws.

That is a good idea the Greek fellow has about weaving the indeterminate tomato plant up and down on stakes. I thing I will try it this year. Also I am going to try planting two seeds together so they can support each other.

Here is a link that might be useful: My garden
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halfdozendoxies
18 years ago
Okay I have a question...hope someone sees it. I read on Mel's website that you should use galvanized steel due to it's strength. I also saw information stating that PVC isn't strong enough to support the heavier crops like melons and pumpkins. Certainly looks like your cantaloupes are doing just fine, but what about heavier crops? Does anyone have experience using PVC pipe to support watermelons or pumpkins? If so could you post what size piping you used, how high and wide your trellis is, and what type of grid material you used. Pictures would be terrific as I am a visual learner. I want to build multiple trellis structures but the galvanized steel is very pricey in my area. Any suggestions people could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
snibb
18 years ago
This might work for lighter things such a you have listed. I did something similiar to this my first year with disastrous results in trying to spend less money. You have to think that you might have 40+(or more)pound of fruit being suspended 6 feeet in the air. Its been years since I put my conduit trellis systems together. Have they really gotten that expensive? Half...I am going to send you a picture of another option you may think about..but, once again, I dont think it would work for heavier things like banana squash, which we love.....
carsonsig
18 years ago
Snibb,

I emailed you, can you send me the pics of your conduit trellis?

I have to figure mine out...
Thanks
timewind
18 years ago
Mel's plans are for building a sturdy trellis at the minimum cost. I have built one using his design and it works very well for making a single, tall (I think mine is around 7 feet), support for one side of your raised bed. The trellises that beeziboy has built may be shorter (I can't be sure of their height looking at the pictures) and, except for the very tops, which are made from the much more flexible 1/2 pvc pipe, the minimum pipe size is 1" which is sturdy stuff, and expensive. I have little doubt that these are as sturdy, or more sturdy, than the trellises of Mel's design, but represent an entirely different class of investment, at least here in my area. They also represent a whole different class of "whole bed" plant support, rather than just a way to grow tall/vining crops along the long edge of your bed.

This may be a difference of price in our respective area, but in my area (Augusta, ME) that PVC would be much more expensive than the galvanized steel. One thought here is to make sure that you are seeking your galvanized conduit in the electrical section of the place you are shopping, as I think you may be looking at the expensive version of this pipe that I first encountered in the plumbing area of my local big-box store, rather than the much less expensive electrical conduit that I found later. I hope to get a picture up of my garden from last year soon, but as far as building the trellis, I did it exactly like the pictures in the book. The only difference is that my elbow connectors at the corners look a little different.
alan8
18 years ago
How do you keep the string from slipping down the PVC pipe when it gets some weight on it? The corner system is a cool idea. I would rather use conduit and build the same system.