GROW on a Cattle Panel Trellis
Growing Cucumbers, Pumpkin, and Watermelon on a Cattle Panel Trellis
Growing these vining plants on a trellis gives me a simple and fun excuse to be in the garden most days, and an obvious way to mark progress and observe details I probably would miss if they were growing on the ground.
My Supply List:
2 Cattle Fence Panels - Mine are 5×17 and 2 fit well alongside my 10’ garden bed. I found these at Tractor Supply Co, but they’re not advertising these on their website so I can’t share a handy reference.
T-Posts (Six Feet) - Look like this. My situation called for 4 total, but if you need to support both sides, you’ll need 4 per fence panel.
Steel Mallet 4lbs - Like this one.
Heavy Duty Wire Ties, 3 per T-Post - Something like these.
Optional
Black Outdoor Paint
Paint Roller or Brush (I used a foam roller, probably a ‘raggier’ roller with a lot of ‘nap’ like this would be better)
Paint Tray
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The Adventure:
After browsing a few hardware stores for a variety of trellis options for the steadily growing cucumbers (and my developing vision for other low risk but useful plants), I found a source for the cattle panel trellis I liked from the beginning.
I borrowed my father’s truck and picked them up. I was armed with plenty of tie down straps but no solid ideas of how to secure these 5×17’ panels. So I was very relieved when the staff proved savvy and helped me load up.
Located Cattle Fence Panels at the far end of the outdoor goods at the local Tractor Supply
Of course, it was on the drive home that I started thinking really hard of how to actually install these panels. I set them in place to get a solid sense of what I’d need to formally secure them.
Cattle Panel Trellis placed, pending full installation.
I browsed a few videos and decided to go with the “Wire-Tie-to-T-Post” method. In good news, I already had two posts on hand. In bad news, I needed four. Trip 2 to the hardware store for this project. I used a 5 lb mallet to ‘bury’ the T-posts, which was mostly fun and only occasionally harrowing, don’t miss your target and threaten your legs!
Cattle Panel wire tied to T-Post x 3
I don’t love the look of galvanized steel and am interested in preventing unsightly rust formation on the welded points, so wanted to put a coat of black paint on it. A quick trial with spray paint inspired me to go a with a roller and some outdoor paint.
Cattle Fence Panel Painting Method - Fine, seems like there could be a more efficient approach.
Though it took a couple of hours it was a pleasant meditative outdoor task that the kiddo had a good time helping me with (briefly anyway). NOTE: This step is completely optional, and mostly serves personal aesthetic purposes.
Cattle Panel Trellis fully installed with plant training begun. Cucumber, Watermelon, and Pumpkin
