I am one of these people that love to recycle and reuse, plus money wise I am limited to what I can "buy". So with that said I have some good bamboo that I have been looking at that has been drying pretty good. Well I was thinking about making a trellis out of it.

Have any of ya did this??

I thought about even some reed grass that grows crazy around these parts. Bad part on that is that I think it is toxic to critters, which I would cry for months if I poisoned a little animal. I am that person that almost goes off the road to dodge a bunny, lol.

Anywho, I was also thinking about joining it all with maybe some weeping willow branches. My father when I was younger showed me how to make a bow and arrow out of a green weeping willow for a history project in school. That always stuck with me, my teacher loved it of course, I got an A+.

I am up to any kind of suggestion, so don't think since my mind has started with bamboo I am stuck with that thought.

What have ya made trellis's out of that are still on the "economic scale"??

I have made many woven lattices and trellises using limbs from my own trees here. It's just like building anything else--it has to be strong enough to support its vines when wet and it shouldn't blow down in the wind either. The wet weight of the trellis is what you need to build for. Dig the post holes deep and make sure the uprights are securely anchored into the ground, then start adding in the rungs and secure them all very, very well.

I had DH drill through and use screws to attach.

He created the most beautiful trellis EVER and it was unique!

I grew Clematis up it. I had just pounded the trellis into the ground. The first big wind caught the Clematis and ruined everything - plant and trellis.

I rebuilt it and attached the trellis to the house. Same thing happened again with our crazy winds. Over time, the bamboo cracked from the screw holes.

I use bamboo all the time for shorter plants.

Clematis needed more support in our winds.

The wind is something I need to consider for sure. Let me ask how deep did you have the main uprights buried? Also I am planning having it lean practically flush with the house. Is that how yours was? Mostly square so it won't be top heavy.

I wonder if I can put a sealer around the holes to keep it from cracking?

I actually had four bamboo trellises, each with a Clematis. They all ended with the same fate.

Here, the sun/UV is harsh on wood. I'm not sure a sealant would prevent the cracking here, but it couldn't hurt.

Anywho, austinnhanasmom, that sounds exactly like what I expereienced at my sisters this weekend. She had a trellis that she buried that ended up rotting down around the base. Hmmm, many things to consider.

Becki I think that is my next step, cause for right now I have not one thought on preventing the rot. Lol oh well.

Yes, if I ever move my plants are coming with me. I do dread that thought, ugh.

So I have decided to take all of your ideas and use them. I plan to anchor it at the top with the eye hooks. Then anchor at the bottom with some kind of stake. I think it will work!! I may have to anchor it in the middle also for that just in case factor, but I think it will work.

Thank you all for your great ideas!!!!

It seems slightly unnecessary as you are a long term tenant (wish I had that!!) and the holes/screw cap thingey things were already there, but a beautiful vine attached to the house will draw attention. Someday, the landlord could decide that mortar issues were caused by the plant.

A landlord may then stick you with a bill to fix the holes. DH did say they are relatively easy to fix, when I put anchors in my mortar.

I would never deter my tenants from beautifying the place, but I would prefer that they let me know prior to doing the work.

Make sense?

Not an exact story but: I rent to college kids and a group sort of "finished" part of a basement to create a party room. As the neighbors prefer that these kids party indoors, especially in the basement, it works BUT these kids did not get permission, as it stated in the lease. This new room seals the deal for renting this house, but I am a bit irritated that no one asked me.

I would love for my tenants to garden, but they are young and in college...some did plant hops - but it was to make beer - hence the party room....

He knows I love my flowers, he always jokes with me and ask me when am I going to come to his house.

He is good to us and pretty easy going. I can imagine what he will say "Carolyn I could care less what you do, but these other clowns, humph". He has a lot that move in and paint and make all kinds of changes, pay rent for a few months bring in pets, then stop paying rent then sneak out. One guy was cooking meth in one of his rentals, and still not paying rent. I would hate to be a landlord!!

Rosie