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Charlie makes a garden trellis for climbing plants

Find joy in 'junk' and lift your garden with a quirky trellis. - by Charlie Albone
  • 28 May 2021

What the dickens is on going on here? Just a colourful garden-bed trellis perfect for climbing plants. Charlie has gate expectations for this one. The beauty of this project is it will not only add some height and colour to your garden, but it’s straight-forward and inexpensive to make.

WATCH: Charlie makes a garden trellis

A trellis is more than a romantic notion - it's the bones upon which many parts of your garden grow. It's also more than a crosshatch of timber slats.

In fact, anything that stands tall and independent can be a trellis, such as this set of old cast-iron gates made over to match the plants it will support.

Before garden trellis

Before, an empty space exposes a boring fence

Final garden trellis

After: a stunning trellis for climbing plants

Sue Ferris

So open your mind as balcony railings, old fencing and even old reinforcing mesh can be structurally useful. And charming!

Gather your supplies

  • Old cast-iron gates
  • 90 x 90mm H4 treated pin posts

You'll also need

  • Wire brush
  • 120-grit wet and dry sandpaper
  • Soft cloth
  • Mask
  • Metal primer
  • Blue enamel
  • Spray paint
  • 25mm pipe saddles
  • Galvanised 25mm hex head screws
  • Dark timber stain
  • Paintbrush
  • Tape measure
  • Circular saw
  • Drill
  • Long 5mm drill bit
  • 40mm and 150mm galvanised batten screws
  • Scrap timber
  • Post hole shovel
  • Spirit level
  • Quick-set concrete
  • Shovel

Here's how

Step 1

Strip old paint off gate
Sue Ferris

Strip old paint from gates with wire brush and wet sanding. Treat rust if needed. Remove dust.

Step 2

Charlie Albone spray painting gates
Sue Ferris

Wearing a mask, spray gates with primer.

Step 3

Garden trellis
Sue Ferris

When dry, spray paint gates, pipe saddles and hex head screws, wearing a mask.

Step 4

Charlie Albone painting trellis
Sue Ferris

Apply stain to timber with a brush. Let dry.

Step 5

Use circular saw to cut top rail to suit width of gates plus 200mm. Cut side posts to gate height plus 1m

Step 6

Charlie Albone predrilling holes in timber
Sue Ferris

Predrill using long 5mm bit and screw top rail into side posts using 150mm batten screws.

Step 7

Charlie Albone drilling garden trellis
Sue Ferris

Temporarily screw a scrap timber batten to posts, about 600mm from bottom with 40mm screws.

Step 8

Charlie Albone using post hole shovel
Sue Ferris

Use post hole shovel to dig 2 x 400mm deep holes.

Step 9

Charlie Albone mixing pouring concrete into holes
Sue Ferris

Sit timber frame in holes and use spirit level to make plumb and level. Mix concrete and pour into holes. Remove batten when set.

Step 10

Attaching gate to frame
Sue Ferris

Attach gates to frame using saddles and 50mm hex head screws.

Garden trellis with plants

Bright blue gates invite in more colour, including red climbing mandevilla, pink agastache, lovely lavender, plectranthus and big, bold ajuga leaves

Sue Ferris

You might also like:

Charlie makes a window flower box

Charlie creates a gorgeous side garden

Charlie makes a frame for climbing plants

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Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

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