11 DIY Bamboo Trellis Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures)

As gardening has become more popular, so too have gardening trends. One ancient trend is making a comeback and that is the art of the bamboo trellis. Bamboo trellises are lightweight, versatile, and affordable. These trellises can be used to help plants grow, add shade, or just as a decorative piece in your garden. The good news is a bamboo trellis is extremely easy to build, and you do not need to spend a ton of money on pre-built trellises. You can build them yourself.

Here are a few do-it-yourself bamboo trellis plans that you can make today.

The 11 DIY Bamboo Trellis Plans

1. Simple Bamboo Trellis by Garden Therapy

This bamboo trellis is the most basic type of trellis that you can build. In fact, these types of trellises have been built by people for thousands of years. This particular trellis is great because it requires no materials other than the bamboo itself and a saw to cut the poles to length. If you get the bamboo pre-cut, you don’t even need the saw.

This simple trellis is built by interweaving the bamboo together without the use of any other materials and is great for vines that like to grow up towards the sun. Bamboo is usually very cheap which makes the cost of this trellis low due to the lack of other supplies needed to complete the project. This plan is perfect for someone looking for rustic simplicity.

2. V-Style Trellis by Fine Gardening

Bamboo trellis design is great because it is flexible and allows you to create nearly any kind of trellis you want. You do not have to stick with basic square trellises, you can build more complicated designs if you have the vision to pull it off. Using various lengths and widths of bamboo it is simple to bypass a square trellis in favor of a different design like a large V.

The v-style trellis starts narrow at the bottom and fans out towards the top. The exact size and shape of the trellis will be up to you. You can make one that is very narrow at the bottom and very wide at the top, almost like a tree or hand fan, or you can make the V narrower to fit a specific area of your house. The sky’s the limit.

Just make sure you sketch out your design and have a good idea of what kind of measurements you are going to be using so you can acquire the proper number and size of the bamboo poles.

3. Small Bamboo Trellis by The Owner Builder Network

Not all trellises have to be large. Some people want a small trellis. This small bamboo trellis measures 30” x 40” when completed which makes it perfect for small gardens or even as an in-home decoration. The small, neat squares of this design are very pleasing to the eye and are a change from the larger, rougher trellises seen elsewhere. This small trellis can fit almost anywhere, and the potential uses are endless.

The downside is that this level of uniformity requires great attention to detail. Each intersection will need to be tied with the twine. That is 56 individual knots that will need to be made. While this project is not particularly difficult, it is complex, especially when compared to other designs that only require you to lash four poles together.

4. A-Frame Bamboo Trellis by Garden Gate Magazine

This bamboo trellis combines two flat trellises into a single A-frame that is able to stand on its own. This eliminates the need for a wall or fence to put up a traditional bamboo trellis which is perfect for gardens that occupy the middle of a yard. This trellis allows you to grow those climbing plants and vines in areas that most trellises simply cannot.

When completed, each side of this A-frame will be 60 inches tall with 8-inch squares. The overall look of this design is basic yet unique enough to stand out. This design is not complicated other than the fact that setting and lashing the two sides together can be a little tricky. Otherwise, this project is affordable and simple to complete.

5. Bamboo Hoop Tunnel by Unexpected Elegance

Did you know that with a little bit of water and patience, you can make a professional-looking garden tunnel using bamboo and dowels? This bamboo hoop tunnel is a great way to add a completely unique touch to your garden completely by hand. By the time you are done, you will have people asking how on earth you managed to build this yourself.

Garden tunnels are great because they are extremely versatile. You can use them to help climbing plants create an amazing-looking visual garden, or you can use them to cover your plants in mosquito netting to keep the bugs away during the summer. Best of all, you won’t spend a bunch of money to finish this amazing project. You can even soak the dowels in your bathtub if you need to.

6. Zip Tie Trellis by Bonnie Plants

Here is another bamboo-based trellis that isn’t that hard to make. Instead of using twine, you can also use zip ties or a fishing line to tie the poles together.  This makes the process even easier and ensures that your trellis will be sturdy enough to support the weight of your climbing plants. Whether you’re looking to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, or beans, a bamboo trellis is an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Not only is it functional, but it also adds a rustic charm to your garden that other trellis designs simply can’t match.

7. Row Tent Trellis by Garden Gate Magazine

If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you know the importance of having a trellis to support and guide the growth of your plants. But what if you don’t have a traditional trellis or want to try something new? Enter the convenient and easy-to-make vegetable row trellis. This tent-shaped trellis is perfect for supporting vegetables such as tomatoes, beets, squash, or cucumbers. All you need is a row of bamboo poles and some twine or string to tie them together. Simply lay the bamboo poles down on the floor and tie them together at the top to form a tent shape. Then, place the trellis over your plants and watch as they grow up and around the poles. Not only is this trellis functional, but it also adds a unique and charming touch to your garden.

8. Hoop Trellis by Garden Gate Magazine

Need a creative and cost-effective way to support your plants and help them grow? A hoop garden trellis made out of bamboo poles can be an excellent solution. The setup of this bamboo trellis is sturdy and sustainable, and it can provide the necessary support for climbing plants such as tomatoes, peas, and leafy greens. To make a hoop garden trellis, you’re going to need several bamboo poles of equal length, some garden twine, and a few basic tools such as a saw and a drill. The process involves cutting the bamboo poles to the desired length, drilling holes in them to create hoops, and tying them together with the twine. With a little patience and skill, you can create a beautiful and functional trellis that will help your plants thrive and add a touch of natural beauty to your garden.

9. Square Fence Trellis by The Owner Builder Network

Here is a fully functional yet aesthetically pleasing garden trellis that provides privacy. Need something that’ll keep onlookers out? Then look no further than this DIY fence-like trellis made from bamboo shoots. With just a few basic materials like twine, a saw, and a tape measure, you can create this trellis in as little as an hour or two. The most difficult part of making this trellis is accurately measuring the bamboo shoots and tying them securely together at the right endpoints (so be sure to use your marker!). The bamboo shoots are natural and sturdy, making them an excellent choice for outdoor use. Additionally, this trellis can be easily customized to fit any size and shape, making it a versatile option for any gardener looking to add some privacy to their outdoor space.

10. Bamboo-Only Trellis by Attainable Sustainable

Here is another tee-pee-shaped garden trellis. This type of trellis can be used to support a variety of climbing plants, such as beans, cucumbers, and even flowering vines. And while there are many different ways to construct a tee-pee trellis, this particular design involves using bamboo poles and interlocking them together. Instead of using twine or zip ties to fasten the poles together, you’ll drill holes into the larger bamboo shoots and use smaller, thinner shoots to interlock them. This creates a sturdy, yet flexible structure that can withstand the weight of heavy plants. To make this project easier, you’ll want to have an electric drill with a small bit. With a little bit of patience and some basic tools, you can create a beautiful and functional tee-pee trellis that will be the envy of your garden.

11. Simple Trellis by Seattle Urban Farm Company

Here is a fairly easy semi-permanent trellis structure that you can create with bamboo sticks. This is your typical teepee-shaped trellis, and you’ll need to space the sticks about 2 feet apart and make sure that they’re firmly planted in the ground. This means planting your trellis poles at least 18 to 24 inches in the ground. After you position all of the poles in a triangular shape, you’ll need to cut a piece of twine about 12 feet to tie around them. Once you get everything tied up you can plant your fertilizer and seeds. If you prefer a quick and simple way to set up a small trellis for your garden, here’s a way to get it done, and fast!

Why Use Bamboo?

Bamboo has been growing in popularity in recent years, and for a good reason. The material is eco-friendly, lightweight, strong, and inexpensive. People love using bamboo in their gardens because it is a natural material. That means you are not adding plastics or metals into your crop. These designs use very little in the way of synthetic or man-made materials and rely heavily on the natural strength of bamboo to get the job done.

Bamboo grows very quickly and does not use a lot of resources to grow. These characteristics make bamboo one of the best green materials to use in place of other more conventional materials.

Bamboo also has a classic look and feel that appeals to many people. Bamboo looks great in almost any garden.

Conclusion

With some basic items most of us have laying around the house, and a free afternoon, you can build a variety of unique and functional trellises, from a complex decorative trellis for your office to a large bamboo teepee. There is a trellis design on this list that you can be using right now. Every one of these designs was chosen for its ease of use and affordability with the average gardener in mind.

You Might Also Be Interested In:

• What’s the Best Way to Cut Bamboo? Which Tool to Use?
• 19 Bamboo Projects You Can Make Today (with Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Joseph C, Shutterstock