Blogs

Trellising Plants with Little Gardeners: A Fun Guide for Families

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to continue creating content. Thank you for your support!

Hi there, garden-loving families! 🌱
Today we’re going to climb up, up, UP into the world of trellising plants! Trellising is like building a playground for your plants—it helps them grow tall, stay healthy, and give you lots of yummy veggies and beautiful edible flowers.

Whether you’re gardening in your backyard, on a patio, or even in pots, learning how to support your plants properly is a skill every little gardener (and their grown-up) can enjoy together. Let’s dig in!

🌿 What Is Trellising and Why Do Plants Love It?

Trellising means giving climbing or vining plants a place to grow up instead of out. It keeps the garden neat, gives plants more sunlight, and helps prevent pests and disease by lifting leaves off the ground. Plus, it makes harvesting way easier—no more searching under big, bushy plants!

🍅 Edible Plants That Need a Trellis

Lots of delicious and beautiful plants love to climb! Here are some of our preschool favorites:

Tomatoes – They grow tall and love to be tied gently to a stake or cage.
Cucumbers – These climbers grow better when they’re up on a net or lattice.
Pole Beans – Twisty and fast-growing, these need a tall trellis or teepee to zoom up!
Peas – Sweet and dainty, they climb with little tendrils and grow best on mesh or netting.
Squash (like spaghetti or delicata) – Some can climb if you give them strong support!
Edible Flowers like Nasturtiums – These colorful blooms are peppery, pretty, and love to climb!

✂️ How to Tie and Prune Plants on a Trellis

Tying up plants is like helping them put on their backpack—snug but not too tight! Here’s how:

Use soft ties like twine, fabric strips, or even old pantyhose or plant clips (https://amzn.to/4d0Kcr7)
Make a loose loop in a figure-8 shape around the plant stem and trellis.
Check often and re-tie as the plant grows.

Now let’s talk pruning! Pruning helps your plants stay strong and focus their energy on making yummy veggies. For example:

Tomatoes – Pinch off the little shoots in the “V” between the main stem and branches (they’re called suckers).
Cucumbers and squash – Trim leaves that block the fruit or are getting yellow.
Beans and peas – Usually need just a little trimming at the ends to encourage more side shoots.

Teach your kids to “snip snip” gently like garden hairdressers. It’s a great way to keep the garden happy and productive!

🏡 DIY Garden Trellis: Free and Fun Ideas

You don’t have to spend big bucks to make a great trellis. Here are some creative DIY garden trellis ideas to try:

Old ladders – Lean one in the garden and let your beans climb!
Sticks and string – Make a teepee with long sticks and wrap with twine.
Crib rails or baby gates – Reuse items your kids have outgrown!
Bike wheels – Tie them together for a funky, circular climbing frame.

Photo credit: https://theownerbuildernetwork.co/landscaping-and-gardening/trellis-from-recycled-materials/

Get your little ones involved in building—it’s like garden crafting!

✨ Fancy Trellises to Buy for Your Garden

If you’re looking to add a little sparkle to your space, check out these high-end options:

Metal arches – Beautiful and durable, perfect for heavy plants like squash or grapes.
Cedar lattice panels – Classic and great for long rows of peas or tomatoes.
Obelisks and pyramid trellises – These are pretty AND practical, giving your garden a whimsical look.

These options add structure and beauty to your garden while supporting your plants like pros.

🌼 Gardening with Kids: A Joyful Harvest

Trellising is a magical part of gardening that kids LOVE to help with. From tying knots to watching vines grow tall, there’s something so exciting about seeing your garden reach for the sky. It’s also a great chance to talk about patience, nature, and healthy food.

So whether you’re building a DIY garden trellis from sticks or splurging on a fancy metal arch, remember: you’re not just growing vegetables—you’re growing memories. 🥕💚

🌟 Final Garden Tips

Keep an eye out for tangled stems and give them space to grow.
Use labels so little gardeners can track which plant is which.
Make pruning a weekly game—who can find the yellowest leaf?

Thanks for visiting our garden today! If you loved learning about trellising plants, check out more vegetable garden ideas on our website and sign up for our monthly garden playdate newsletter!