A comprehensive look at DIY bean supports and bean trellises for growing climbing beans. Includes the best way to grow beans using the three sisters method, controlling pole bean growth, and instructions for making a bean teepee trellis and a double row bean trellis. This piece is an excerpt from the book Growing Beans
Climbing varieties of bean – pole beans – certainly need some kind of cane, pole or netting structure for support. Fully grown bean plants, particularly some of the more vigorous varieties with big flapping leaves and generous pods, are weighty, so the supports need to be very sturdy. Many a year I have spent time creating structures that I am quite certain are going to be strong enough, only for a windy day to bring them toppling down.
In my rural garden, it looks in keeping to have homemade, particularly wooden and bamboo supports. Traditionally bean supports were constructed with coppiced poles, about 2.4m long (8ft) and around 5cm (2in) thick at the base. I have a sufficient supply of hazel withies growing in a small wood on our land that I can cut when the wood is green and pliable enough to form into arched supports.
Growing climbing vegetables like peas and beans is a great way to maximize space and yields in the garden. However, providing proper supports for vining crops is essential for their health and productivity. Peas and beans use tendrils or twining stems to latch onto structures as they grow upwards. Without support, the plants will collapse, sprawl on the ground, and become more prone to rot and disease.
Luckily, building DIY supports for peas and beans is straightforward using common materials. With a bit of forethought and effort, you can create structures that keep your plants tidy, improve growing conditions, and make harvesting easier.
Why Peas and Beans Need Support
Before diving into specific structures let’s look at the key reasons climbing peas and beans require trellising
- Prevents plants from flopping over and becoming damaged.
- Allows more airflow which reduces fungal issues like powdery mildew.
- Makes picking easier by keeping pods within reach.
- Keeps pods up off damp soil reducing rot.
- Enables growing more densely by using vertical space.
- Deter slugs and other ground pests from reaching vines.
- Looks neat and creates an attractive vertical display.
Providing support improves the health and productivity of peas and beans. It’s not just for appearances!
Factors to Consider for DIY Supports
When deciding how to trellis your peas and beans, keep these considerations in mind:
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The mature height of the variety – some only reach 2 feet while others may grow 6 feet tall or more. Match support height accordingly
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Your garden space – narrow or wide supports? Plan size and shape based on available area.
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Exposure – sturdy supports are essential for exposed windy areas.
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Time and skill – choose user-friendly materials if your abilities are limited.
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Durability – build with weather-resistant materials if the structure is permanent.
Take stock of your site’s conditions, the mature size of your plants, and the materials you have on hand before deciding on the optimal support method and design.
7 Simple DIY Supports for Peas and Beans
Here are some excellent options for DIY pea and bean trellises:
1. Bamboo or Willow Tepees
Bamboo and willow tepees are perfect for climbing peas and beans, while taller, sturdier tepees made of thicker poles are recommended for heavier climbers such as squashes and melons.
To make, arrange 5-6 poles in a circle and tie tops together. Spread poles into a teepee shape. Easy for tendrils to grab!
2. Bean Poles and String Frame
Place 4-6 poles in a square/rectangle around plants. Lash tops together and attach horizontal string around outside for vines to climb.
3. Twiggy Branch Supports
Insert pruned sapling branches or twiggy shrubs into soil near pea/bean rows. Plant at base of branches and let tendrils twist up.
4. Cage or Panel Trellises
Use cages or panels made from concrete reinforcing wire, cattle panels, etc. These keep climbing vines tidy and are easy to set up.
5. Netting Between Posts
Run trellis netting between posts along pea/bean rows. Vines readily cling to the grid pattern. Keep netting taut.
6. Garden Arches or Tunnels
Bend cattle panels into arches or tunnels between beds for peas to climb. Very decorative!
7. Upcycled Materials
Repurpose old materials – tomato cages, ladders, swing set frames, etc. Get creative with supports!
The possibilities are endless when making DIY supports. Choose an approach that suits your site, abilities, and budget.
Constructing Pea and Bean Supports
Once you’ve decided on a design, follow these tips for installing:
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Mark out the area and dig holes as needed for posts or poles.
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Set uprights and ensure corners are square.
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Use zip ties, wire, or twine to fasten frame pieces together.
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Add horizontal supports vines can grab – netting, strings, crossbars, etc.
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Firmly hammer or press posts into the ground. Avoid wobbling.
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Water around posts to help anchor.
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Amend soil with compost before sowing/planting at base.
Caring for Supported Peas and Beans
Here are some recommendations for looking after vining peas and beans growing on DIY trellises:
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Sow seeds or set transplants near supports. Follow spacing guidelines.
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Irrigate soils instead of from overhead to reduce disease.
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Weed regularly to prevent competition for water and nutrients.
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Use floating row covers to protect young plants from insects.
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Mulch around plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
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Check trellises are stable and reinforce as needed.
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Harvest frequently to encourage more pod set.
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Provide fertilizer if plants appear deficient.
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Monitor for pests/disease and address issues promptly.
With the right support in place, your peas and beans will climb happily. Expect abundant harvests of delicious homegrown pods! Let those tendrils grab and start growing vertical.
Using Bamboo Canes for Bean Supports
Canes are perfectly straight and can be cut in relatively long lengths. They are resistant to weathering and can last for years. The thick, long canes that are best for climbing beans can be costly if you need a number of them. Bamboo canes also have the huge advantage that when the bean crop is finished, the old vines will slide easily off each individual cane. When you’ve spent an hour or more painstakingly picking bits of dried vines out of netting or twiggy arches, you’ll thank me for that advice.
Use Sticks to Make a Bean Teepee
A hazel pole teepee is my favourite type of support, and I think it’s the easiest by far. Tied at the top with thick hessian rope, a teepee looks good, is easy to erect and is very sturdy. What’s more, they are easy to move around. If the autumn weather closes in, the plants can be cut at the base and the whole thing, sticks and all moved under cover to dry.
The hazel poles usually last two or three years before they become too brittle. Nowadays many people use bamboo but spare a thought for where the bamboo has been sourced. It is likely to have been shipped in from halfway around the world. I am fortunate that a neighbour has a large stand of bamboo that she’s happy for me to cut back for her every year.
5 Best Bean Poles, Frames and Supports for Your Garden
FAQ
What is the best support for peas?
Peas need to climb, and do best with a sturdy trellis they can cling to. There are several choices for making a trellis, including old wire fence, cut brush, or polypropylene netting, but I’ve found what I think is a superior material: remesh from the masonry building aisle at the home improvement store.
How to stake peas and beans?
Pea staking is as simple as locating a bunch of twiggy branches (messy end growth with plenty of small twigs and branches) and then setting them into the soil with the solid end down.
How do you make supports for peas & beans?
Luckily, making supports for peas and beans can be straightforward and quick to do. The conventional way of growing peas is in rows, with the peas scrambling up a net fixed between two poles or suspended from a cross piece. Peas are planted at the base and allowed to grow up winding through the net, like in the title picture.
How do you support peas in a garden?
Arches and tunnels are a practical way to support peas, but it’s also extremely decorative. Another option is to support bush peas on branches or twigs inserted into the earth. This technique is ideal for row gardens as well as raised beds. What are 5 ideas for Bean supports?
Do you need a trellis for peas & beans?
Not only do they keep the plants tidy and upright, but trellising improves airflow and light penetration. This in turn enhances the health and productivity of your crops. When it comes to supporting peas and beans, you have lots of DIY trellis options.
How do beans & peas climb?
Beans and peas are fundamentally different in how they climb. Peas send out little side tendrils that cling to trellises like tiny hands, and hold on that way – the central plant grows straight (ish) upwards, relying on it’s curly hands for support.
What are 5 ideas for Bean supports?
In the below video, look at five ideas for bean supports: the teepee, an A-frame, a V-frame, wall trellising for a small space, and a beautiful walkthrough archway. See the Almanac’s Guide to Growing Green Beans from sowing to harvesting for more information about how to grow this prolific garden vegetable successfully!
Why do you need a pea trellis?
Pea trellis help in supporting pea plants as they grow and keep them at a perfect height. In this article learn to make diy pea trellis.