bean trellis

sunspot · 02-18-15, 08:14 PM

Time for a new trellis to grow beans on. Last season we had a hastily assembled tripod of sticks and it left a lot to be desired. A purpose built trellis was in order.

I experimented with an arch construction technique for a cold frame I built in the fall and I really like it. Strong, light weight, and economical on material.

So I went with the same theme for the bean trellis. It's light so it's easy for one person to move around for crop rotation. The ground hasn't been prepared in the photo but once it's ready I'll stake the trellis plates down to keep it in place. It's hard to get a sense of scale from the picture but the structure is 9'5" tall and 6' wide. The sheets of 6" concrete reinforcing mesh are 3 1/2' x 7' and I used four sheets in total. The mesh is held to the arches with fender washers and screws. It's quite stiff and should hold a full crop of beans without issue.

I think the arch construction could have a lot of uses where a light weight, stiff, structure is the goal. It's cost effective and quite easy to do. Good luck on your project(s)!

pinballlooking · 02-18-15, 08:49 PM

Nice roll up sides.

gtojohn · 02-19-15, 09:23 AM

That looks really nice! I'm gonna steal your design!

sunspot · 02-19-15, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtojohn

That looks really nice! I'm gonna steal your design!

Thanks! The design isn't mine though. If I knew who came up with it I'd give credit.

And I'm glad to hear you're going to use the idea. Spreading information is why we post here

Cheers,

02-18-15, 08:14 PM	#1
sunspot Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Posts: 147 Thanks: 30 Thanked 35 Times in 29 Posts	bean trellis Time for a new trellis to grow beans on. Last season we had a hastily assembled tripod of sticks and it left a lot to be desired. A purpose built trellis was in order. I experimented with an arch construction technique for a cold frame I built in the fall and I really like it. Strong, light weight, and economical on material. So I went with the same theme for the bean trellis. It's light so it's easy for one person to move around for crop rotation. The ground hasn't been prepared in the photo but once it's ready I'll stake the trellis plates down to keep it in place. It's hard to get a sense of scale from the picture but the structure is 9'5" tall and 6' wide. The sheets of 6" concrete reinforcing mesh are 3 1/2' x 7' and I used four sheets in total. The mesh is held to the arches with fender washers and screws. It's quite stiff and should hold a full crop of beans without issue. I think the arch construction could have a lot of uses where a light weight, stiff, structure is the goal. It's cost effective and quite easy to do. Good luck on your project(s)!

02-18-15, 08:49 PM	#2
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Nice roll up sides.

02-19-15, 09:23 AM	#3
gtojohn Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 314 Thanks: 39 Thanked 50 Times in 45 Posts	That looks really nice! I'm gonna steal your design!