How To Build A Green Bean Trellis

 

I had made a trellis for my green beans in an earlier growing season.  But, I decided to modify it to maximize my green bean harvest rather than plant bush beans.  My goal was to add bars to the trellis teepee so I could plant beans completely around it.  However, one side was left open. I wanted my grandchildren to have a seat inside of the teepee while I’m gardening.  So, an adorable miniature chair will be placed inside the green bean trellis for them to sit. 

Making a bean teepee can be simple and inexpensive.  I used the bamboo poles from last season and cuttings from my bamboo squash trellis.  I found left over string from other projects under my sink and used it to tie the smaller bars around the legs of the teepee.  String is great for the tendrils of the plant to latch onto. Lowes and Home Depot sell bamboo poles that won’t break the bank if you can’t found a resource locally. The Dollar Store sells string.  My brother has a yard full of bamboo, so I luck out. 

Here’s what you will need to build a green bean trellis:

• The poles should be 6 – 8 feet tall and you will need 4 pieces. 
• I used (4) 7 foot poles and 5 bars across. 
• 1 5 ft. fence T-post
• Be sure to secure the poles tightly at the top and get them deep into ground before you tie on the horizontal poles.

Here’s the steps for building a green bean trellis:

1.  Tie your 4 poles at the top securely.
2.  Your poles should look like A-frames.
3.  Place the frames in the ground deep enough to hold them securely.
4.  Tie the smaller pieces (20) across the bars to form 3 sides.  Leave an opening to place a chair for the kids or spacing for growing lettuce through the summer, which requires shade.  The leaves of the beans will provide the shade.
5.  Plant your choice of pole beans completely around the bottom of the teepee and watch them climb.
6.  Place a 5 foot garden t-post on the rear of the teepee.  Re-enforce the teepee by tying string from the top of the teepee to the T-Post. This will give the teepee strength when it is covered with vines and green beans.  

Last, I use Blue Lake pole beans.  I believe they are more flavorful and less stringy than other beans.  However, planting Jade Bush Beans along with the pole beans will prove beneficial.  Also, companion plant green beans with tomatoes and cucumbers.  Place your green bean teepee close to your tomatoes and cucumbers.  Here’s a picture of the teepee covered with green beans.  It was so heavy with beans it started to lean forward.  We pulled it back and re-enforced it with a fence t-post stake in the back of the teepee.

It is now straight and loaded with enough of green beans to freeze several quarts for winter.  Perfect for soup and green beans and corn.

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