I bought a jasmine plant because a magazine said it works as a sleep aid if you keep it in your room but then I realized it doesn't grow well indoors so I stuck it in a planter in order to possibly bring it in for the winter and called it a day. It's recently started stretching out and didn't have much to hold on to so I came up with a pretty solution to my long-limbed plant problem.
Trellises are easily purchased at your local nursery or hardware store but I wanted something unique. If you'd like to make your own you'll need: 5 garden stakes measuring 6' high, 2 smaller stakes ( I used left over garage sale stakes) measuring the width of your trellis (about 4'). You'll also need a pack of large shims (the chevron part), a hand saw, scissors, a hammer, small nails (I used picture frame nails but anything short will work), a staple gun and 1/2" staples, and paint (optional). If you don't paint it I suggest weather guarding it somehow so it doesn't rot away if it sits near a sprinkler head.
Step One: Space your garden stakes as wide as your smaller stakes and then even spread them out. Nail one of your smaller garden stakes so that it's flush with the top of your long garden stakes. Step Two: Place two shims where you'd like them and mark where you'll want to cut the ends so that they meet almost seamlessly. Step Three: Cut the ends off with a hand saw at the thick end and a sharp pair of scissors at the thin end. Step Four: Space your shims out evenly down your trellis. Once you're satisfied with their placement, nail the thick ends down and staple the thin ends down. Don't fret if your ends aren't meeting up nicely. I turned mine over so you can't see them. Step Five: Attach your bottom shorter stake so that it's flush up against the bottom of your chevron ends as shown. Step Six: Continue with your chevron nailing. Paint or seal if desired.
To install your trellis, measure how far apart your stakes are spaced and then dig five holes that you can set your stakes down in. Refill with dirt. Be sure to leave a bit of space between your trellis and a wall or fence so the vines can weave around. Three separate trellises against a wall makes a bold statement while adding on stakes to create a wider trellis would also provide some privacy if placed in front of a chain link fence.
If you make your own trellis feel free to link back to this tutorial and share a photo with us. I'd love to see yours.
Does anyone else have jasmine in their yard? I'd love a whole fence full of it as well as honeysuckle. It reminds me so much of my childhood.
-Rachel
