Use a trellis, utilize extra landscape space

Trellis: (noun) a frame of lattice used as a screen or a support for climbing plants (merriam-webster.com). My interpretation: a fun way to play with vining plants. A trellis can be as simple as an existing fence, or as elaborate as a vintage wrought iron structure. If you have a place in your landscape which appears "flat," a trellis can provide a plant with a ladder to do what it does naturally, which is to climb. Local garden centers, home improvement stores, and online garden websites provide countless choices, from stand-alone panels of wood or metal, to planters which include a "backdrop" of lattice, adding an architectural element. Trellis materials such as string or wire can be constructed and hung from the ceiling of a porch to provide a place to display flowering vines. Ivy blanketing a trellis can camouflage an unsightly area, such as a cracked foundation, and also provide some privacy. In small gardens, a trellis can define different areas, direct a path, or draw attention to other specific features, such as a fountain, birdbath, or statue in the foreground. Using multiple trellised vines with different blossom colors can create a striking effect, drawing the eye to a certain location of the yard. Vegetables like pod peas, pole beans, and cucumbers thrive on trellised structures. The A-frame style of garden trellis is a great space-saver, and makes harvesting easy. A quick search online will generate lots of fun ideas for using trellises in vegetable gardens(evergreenseeds.com) (savvygardening.com). Securing the trellis adequately is important to assure support for the climbing plant. Anchor the trellis to a structure using the recommended hardware, such as large eyescrews. Smaller trellis styles usually have long prongs or stakes built into the structure itself. Heavy or unwieldy plants such as wisteria, grapevines, and climbing roses may require an extra-strong support. Take into consideration the weight and size of the mature plant. Fasten the branches to the trellis with stem-friendly garden twist ties (available in spools at garden supply centers) or zip-ties, allowing enough circumference around the branch for future growth. Some plants do not require fasteners to climb, such as clematis, which can be easily woven through the openings as it grows. Before winter arrives, check your trellis, and reinforce if necessary to withstand wind and snow. When choosing both the plant and the trellis it will grow on, think about any pruning and maintenance the plant will require. Avoid invasive varieties such as honeysuckle, trumpet flower, and morning glory. Use a little imagination when planning for your climbing plants, and the results will be uplifting! Would you like to be an Erie County Master Gardener? There are two more informational sessions to learn about the process. Please join us at the Sandusky Library on one of the following dates: June 20th from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm or July 18 6:30 pm-7:30 pm. Both meetings will be at the Sandusky Library Life-Long Learning Center RM 102.