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Purchased trellises and arbors might be expensive, and their size options may be restricted. However, you can construct your own straightforward but robust trellising setup or garden arch that is entirely flexible and customizable with some cattle panel fencing and readily available materials. Below is a detailed guide on building a cattle panel trellis arch suitable for both ground-mounted and in-ground installations.
raised bed gardens
—as well as a list of the
best climbing plants
to thrive on a cattle panel trellis.
What Does a Cattle Panel Refer To?
These items, also referred to as livestock or feedlot panels, consist of flexible, mesh-like sections made from welded and galvanized wire. Commonly employed for setting up fences for farm animals like cows, they can serve different purposes when creativity meets proper materials. Cattle panels along with their close counterparts—hog panels—can be set up flat or curved in garden spaces to form an attractive cattle panel arbor.
framework for vining plants and blossoms
—and extra garden privacy.
Cattle panels generally come in sizes of 8 feet or 16 feet and are commonly available at farm supply outlets where they often range from approximately $30 to $50 each. Given their ability to hold several climbing plants, these panels offer an economical solution when setting up a vertical garden barrier or supports for your vegetables.
Location and Sizing Considerations
Several innovative methods can be employed to incorporate a cattle panel arch or trellis into your current floral setup.
vegetable garden layout
. If you’re
planning raised garden beds
, you can install a cattle panel directly along the middle of your planting beds to function as a trellis, or place an arched cattle panel structure between two raised beds to create a passageway similar to a tunnel. For larger ground-level gardens, you’ll have additional possibilities since you can shape flexible cattle panels into various forms of trellises capable of supporting numerous types of climbing plants you wish to cultivate.
One arched cattle panel can accommodate approximately four to five climbing cucumber, melon, or squash plants, or as many as twenty pole bean plants per side of the arch. To maximize your growing space, consider connecting several cattle panels to create a bigger trellis or an elongated arch structure. Remember that most vegetables thrive best with ample sunlight; therefore, place these structures in well-lit areas, ideally oriented from north to south for optimal exposure to light.
How to Construct an Arched Cattle Panel Trellis
Using cattle panels for your garden can assist you with various benefits.
corral veggie plants
And utilize the restricted garden area wisely. However, before doing so, you must set up your cattle panel trellis! These structures can be positioned along the garden rows in a linear fashion or formed into a basic arch by following these step-by-step setup instructions.
Project Overview
Working Time
: 30 minutes up to 1 hour
Total Time
: 60 to 120 minutes
Skill Level
: Intermediate
Estimated Cost
: $75 to $150
Tools & Materials
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- Manual post driver
- Measuring tape
- Level (optional)
- 16-foot cattle panel
- 6-foot studded T-posts (4)
- UV-resistant zip ties
Step 1: Move the cattle panel.
Transporting a cattle panel back home might be the most challenging aspect of setting up a cattle panel arch. These panels turn out to be surprisingly heavy and difficult to manage, so having at least two individuals and access to a truck would probably be necessary for this task. To prevent your vehicle’s paint job from getting damaged during transit, consider covering the panel with a blanket or tarp.
Step 2: Locate an appropriate spot.
Choose a bright location for your cattle panel arch, whether within an in-ground garden, alongside a garden pathway, or positioned between two raised beds. Whenever feasible, align the structure from north to south to optimize sunlight absorption. Keep in mind that most vegetables require well-drained soil and approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunshine each day to thrive productively.
Step 3: Install posts.
Shape the cattle panel into an arched design—it requires two people to do this effectively. Next, indicate where the edges of the cattle panel will meet the ground and place a T-post at each corner of the arch foundation using a post driver. Ensure all T-posts are buried to the same level beneath the surface and maintain approximately 5 feet of clearance below the sides of the arch for stability and ease of passage.
If necessary, utilize a level to ensure the T-post is vertical. Should you notice any lean, remove the post and hammer it back into place correctly.
Step 4: Attach the cattle panel.
After installing the four T-posts, move the cattle panel into place between the posts such that the top of the panel forms a gentle curve upwards. Ensure that the bottom part of the cattle panel rests on the ground and aligns with the T-post bases.
outside
Of the four T-posts. Once more, this requires two people!
Step 5: Fasten using cable ties.
Secure the cattle panel to the T-posts by looping zip ties through one of the horizontal wires on the cattle panel and around each T-post. Approximately six zip ties should be used for each T-post; however, this number may differ based on how far the T-posts have been embedded into the ground.
Step 6: Plant.
Go ahead and place seeds or seedlings near your newly set up cattle panel arch. To achieve optimal growth, mix some compost into the soil prior to planting. Start by sowing your climbing plants, followed by positioning smaller crops such as lettuce and radishes amidst the vines to utilize open areas of dirt and boost overall yield.
Top Plants for Cultivation on Cattle Panel Arches
Mary Lou Barker, who co-chairs the community garden in Sullivan, Maine, cultivates a broad range of climbing plants using cattle panel trellises within the town’s communal green space.
After many years of building our own trellises, we’ve discovered that cattle panels are far more robust and simpler to use for pole beans, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, and any climbing plants,” explains Barker. “The spacing of the grids allows us to easily reach through the trellis, ensuring that veggies like cucumbers do not become squished or distorted.
Nevertheless, beans, peas, and cucumbers are not the sole vegetables.
climbing vegetables
Those that thrive on cattle panels. If you’re prepared to use trellises for your vegetable gardening, consider these options:
easiest veggies to grow
on cattle panels:
- Vining cucumbers
- Squash
- Pole beans
- Malabar spinach
- Small pumpkins
- Morning glory
- Melons
- Gourds
- Grapes
- Peas
- Climbing nasturtium
- Moonflower
Tips for Training Plants
Whether you’re a
beginning gardener
If you’re searching for some creative cattle panel trellis ideas to elevate your garden, consider these suggestions for planting and guiding plants to climb on cattle panels.
Follow proper spacing guidelines.
Cattle panel trellises enable you to fit additional plants into your garden; however, proper plant spacing remains crucial. Planting vegetables too densely can impede air circulation and facilitate the spread of diseases such as powdery mildew.
Place seeds and young plants near the supports.
Place climbing plants only a short distance from the edges of the cattle panel arches, allowing delicate vines to easily reach their supports without much strain.
Utilize twine to assist plants in climbing.
Certain creeping plants can ascend trellises without assistance. However, some plants such as zucchini might require initial support. You can loosely tie them to cattle panels using twine or plant clips to help them begin their climb.
Include support for heavy fruits in hammocks.
Ensure that plant vines aren’t damaged by using supports for melons and other weighty fruits.
DIY fruit hammocks
constructed using discarded nylon stockings or mesh produce bags.
Check plants regularly.
During the growing season, inspect your vegetables when necessary and tie up stray vine sections onto cattle panel trellises using twine. Regularly picking zucchinis, cucumbers, and other crops will maintain plant productivity and prevent excessive strain on both the vines and trellises.
Maintain trellises.
If necessary, drive T-posts further into the ground and swap out zip ties annually to maintain the optimal condition of your cattle panel trellises.
Final Thoughts
Metal livestock fencing panels serve as robust, simple-to-construct, and cost-effective trellis options. However, their appeal extends beyond functionality. As vegetation begins to thrive on them, these fences transform into visually appealing structures that enhance garden and yard seclusion. To further captivate with color and form, consider cultivating striking plants such as
birdhouse gourds
or
tromboncino squash
On cattle panels. Don’t overlook refreshing the ground surrounding your cattle panel structure each year with a fresh layer of soil.
compost
and
mulch
To help young plants thrive and prevent weeds from spreading!
