attaching a trellis

Hi,

Im installing a trellis to my back fence, i have looked on the internet but all i can find is how to put it on the top of the fence. I was planning to run it up from the ground to the top of the fence. due to the lack of stuff on the internet is this not a common way to install a trellis. My most important concern is do i need to consider things like depth for the plant to get between the trellis and fence? its a framed trellis so there is few mm of gap.

thanks

Hi David

Not really, as long as the trellis is well secure to the fence then all should be okay, think about treating the trellis before installing that's if it has not already been treated ? obviously needs to be well secured because once the plants become established you will have to consider the weather - strong winds etc.

You can tie the climbing plants in once they become established they will find there own way through the trellis.

Hi ,may i suggest that you screw the trellis to battens of wood  2x2 lengths in first that way if you need in the future to paint or maintain the fence you won't have a problem removing any plant material.

Derek

Battens are excellent as they allow room for air to circulate around the plant and thus reduce diseases such as mildew and climbing plants can more easily twine around, or be attached by twine, to the trellis.

Another little trick is to hinge it from the bottom, once the battens are in place. Once a plant has established it's self, it can be difficult to access a fence even with a trellis. This will allow you to unhook from the top, let it come to a rest on a broom shank. Therefore allowing one to get behind it. For example, fence maintainance.

marshmello, what a brill idea; wish I'd done that

Hi Marshmello, as artjak says great idea will do once the weather improves

Derek

no probs.

You do not say which side of the fence; the smooth side or the side with horizontal pieces. I have put trellis on both sides over the last few years, one handy way to do it on the 'smooth' side is as suggested above to use battens, OR opposite where the horizontals are on the other side, use very long screws and washers with 'sleeves' made from copper pipe or similar to hold the thing away and give the plants a chance to creep behind. With Morning Glory and Sweet Peas I find I have to be fairly pro-active in teaching them how to twine around things.

Hi all thanks for the responses. I am putting trellis's on two lengths of fencing. One length with the horizontal pieces, the other without. I will take the battens idea on board. Looks like i may be waiting a little while longer than i wanted to with this cold weather as i planned to paint the trellis the same colour as my fence before attaching it.