We made some with copper. They look great. We put the strings from the top to the bottom of the copper trellis. I didn't have much luck growing my tomatoes on strings. So we took the string off and attached 4"square panels of wire fencing to the copper frame using nylon ties.

I ran out of money so we made the rest of our trellises out of rebar and used the same wire fencing panel in the center. They are light weight and easy to move and look nice.

I used Welded wire fencing. It was cheaper then tied wire. It is not as strong but all the welds have held.

When I first put in my raised beds I used Feedlot panels for trellis'. This is a 1/4" welded wire panel, I bought mine at TSC. They have been in place for 3 years now without any problems at all. This year, I bought more of the panels (52" x 16') and cut and bent them into tomato cages. Each cage started as a 4' section of panel, I then bent it into an octagon, cut off the bottom two cross wires so they can be stuck 12" into the ground, painted them tomato red, and they are working great so far.

Good Luck,
Mike

The easiest way that I've found to build a trellis is to drive in 2 T-posts on either side of the bed and create a grid using baling wire. Easy, but not the prettiest thing in the world. I have used bamboo stakes as well and have found them to work well until tomatoes reach 5', at which time the constant strain can cause the bamboo to bend and break. For aesthetics, I'd consider using the steel bars and painting them black. Again, not as pretty as bamboo or copper, but at least it's not as much of an eye-sore.

ben

We use two medal fence posts with 2 inch PVC pipe over the top, we put elbows at the ends and slipped them right over the top. Then tied string to them, I think next year we will fix some kind of fencing to them as the string worked but not as well as I would have liked.

Vicky

I wasn't quite sure what exactly welded wire was, and found this online (see link below).

I assume this is what you're talking about.
Do you have a preference as to size of the panel and mesh:
5x50, 14G 4x2 Mesh
4x50, 14G 4x2 Mesh
3x50, 14G 4x2 Mesh

The PVC piping sounds pretty simple, too...

Do any of you have a photo you can share to help us visualize your optimal placement. :)

Thank so much!
~Colette in South Florida

Here is a link that might be useful: HD Fencing = Welded Wire

I have used some arches that I bought at BigLots for about $7 for my beans and peas. They are a little flimsy and so I tied them to rocks that I buried so they wouldn't fall over. They look really cool covered with plants and since I planted cucumbers too close to them, they also climbed the trellis. I have also used an old brass headboard for the peas, looked really cute.

I just took two branches (about 2-3" thick) from a recently trimmed tree (with the smaller branches stripped off) and plunged them into the two back corners of the cinder block garden.

I don't know how well this is going to work come spring, but I'm hoping it will. It looks good at least. Keep in mind though that my garden is about 3 1/2' high (due to many dogs) so they're set in deep.

The plan is to run twine between the two in criss-cross patterns to create the trellis in the spring. Right now, it looks like I'm planning to turn my garden into goal posts ;) Eventually these will rot, of course but I figure I have a couple years before that becomes an issue.

Colette,
What you have listed is fencing, I used panels. Try this link: http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=8&paID=1043&sonID=356&page=1&productID=9412

The panels are much heavier wire, 1/4" thick, and hold up extremely well.
Good Luck,
Mike