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Re: Trellis construction

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

I made my vertical supports 3 years ago out of 1/2" EMT.  Rather than
bending, I cut the conduit and used elbows and T connectors (no threads,
just slip and tighten with a screw) at all intersections.  My supports
are 6' high (before being pounded into the ground) and 4' wide (between
vertical pipes).  I have grown peas, cantaloupes, tomatoes, cucumbers,
and Sugar Baby watermelons on these supports and have had no problems
with the stability.

Of course we don't have a problem with tornados where I am, just your
occasional bad thunderstorm. . .

Michelle
-Zone 6 - S. Central PA

Swami wrote:

> Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
>
> Hello all.  This will be my third year gardening by the square foot
> method. This year, I plan on building a trellis to try my hand at some
> vertical growing.  As of now, I'm planning on a single four-square row for
> the vertical stuff: 4 cucumber plants (in two squares), one melon plant
> (probably Burpee's Bartlett hybrid), and one Jack-Be-Little pumpkin plant.
> I'm looking for any advice from folks who have done some vertical growing.
>
> I'm thinking I'll use 1/2" thick-walled electrical conduit, get it cut to
> length and threaded, and use plumbing fittings for assembly as Mel
> suggests.  But I'm not an electrician, so I'm wondering about the strength
> of this conduit.  My trellis will be 6' tall (with 12-18" of conduit sunk
> into the ground), and 5' wide.  Anyone think I'll have problems with
> weight from my planned crop on the 5' horizontal span?  Of additional
> concern is the wind here in St. Louis during tornado season, but you can't
> do anything about that. :)
>
> Mel talks about bending the crossbar so that you have shorter legs to
> drive into the ground.  I was thinking of having two pieces for each leg:
> a 4 or 4.5' piece and a 3' piece.  I'd drive the longer piece into the
> ground until 3' remained, and use splices to attach the other 3' piece.
> Then I'd use two elbows to attach the 5' crossbar.  Any comments on this,
> or better ideas you've implemented?  I'm just trying to avoid driving
> really long pieces, but I want to keep the structure as strong as
> possible.
>
> Thanks for any advice,
> Steve DeLassus
>
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