To maximize space on the Urban Farm, we are always trying to think  of news ways to grow our food vertically. A few years ago, we installed these garden hoops to act as a trellis system throughout the farm. We use them to grow beans, peas and sometimes even squash!

The construction process was pretty simple and the cost was relatively low. We used cattle fencing that we bought from a nearby feed store to act as the trellis. I think it was about $25 bucks a pop for each length of fencing. We hammered some rebar deep into the ground, then fastened the cattle fencing to the rebar every couple feet on either side. They made these great, wide hoops that are about six or seven feet in height.

The trick to growing squash on the trellis is to keep careful watch on the vines. You need to train them to climb it in the right spots. As they develop little squash fruits, you need to support them with old nylon. That makes little hammocks that will stretch as the squash grows, otherwise the fruit gets too heavy.

We have a few other versions of trellis systems at the farm, but this is definitely one of our favorites. You can grow a ton of things on them and you get a nice micro-climate underneath to grow cooler veggies.