This DIY pea trellis arch is easy to build, and you only need a few basic tools. I designed this project to be fun, quick, and unique. Anyone can make it, and it doesn’t take much time.
Below I’ll give you the full step by step instructions with lots of pictures to help you along the way.
Benefits Of This Pea Arch Trellis Design
I came up with this design because I wanted to try a different way to grow my peas vertically. But there are also a few great benefits for it too:
- Doubles your space: This is not only beautiful, it also doubles your growing space. The vines go over the top of the arch, and smaller crops, like salad greens or herbs, can go underneath.
- Simplifies harvesting: My design also makes harvesting easier, since the peas will hang down from the trellis, making them easy to spot and pluck from the vine.
- Healthier vines: It also allows for better airflow around the plants, which helps to prevent mildew and disease problems.
Related Post: How To Can Peas
Steps For Building This Pea Trellis Arch
I chose to use EMT conduit pipes (which you can buy at any home improvement store) because they are lightweight and inexpensive to buy. It’s also plenty strong enough to support heavier crops, like cucumbers or mini melons.
Supplies Needed
- 2-foot tall chicken wire fencing (also called poultry netting)*
- Two 10-foot 1/2-inch EMT conduit pipes
- Four 1/2-inch EMT conduit pipe elbows
- Eight 1/2-inch EMT set screw couplings
- 8-inch cable ties (20) or wire twist ties
- Metal pipe cutter **
- Wire cutters
- Screwdriver
- Tape measure
- Work gloves
*If you don’t like the idea of using chicken wire, you could use nylon plant support netting instead.
**Don’t be intimidated by the fact that you need a pipe cutter. If you’ve never worked with one before, they are extremely easy to use.
Related Post: The Ultimate Vertical Garden Guide
Instructions
Step 1: Measure and cut the pipes for the frame – You’ll need to cut each of the 10′ long pipes 3 times: two 4-foot lengths (trellis frame legs), and one 2-foot length (arch frame top).
Measure the lengths of pipe, then use the metal pipe cutter to cut the pieces.
Step 2: Assemble the frame – Lay the pipes for one side of the arch frame flat on the ground making a U shape out of the three pipes and two of the EMT elbows.
Use two 4-foot pipes for the legs, and one 2-foot pipe for the top. Loosely assemble the frame with the screw couplings.
Step 3: Tighten the couplings – Use a screwdriver to tighten each of the screw couplings until the frame is secure.
Repeat steps 2-3 to assemble the other half of your pea arch trellis frame using the remaining three metal pipes and two elbows.
Step 4: Install your pea arch trellis into the garden – Drive one half of the frame into the ground, ensuring it is level across the top.
Position the second half of the frame so that it is parallel to the first, spacing the arch pieces 2-feet apart. Then drive the second half of the frame into the ground to the same depth as the first, ensuring it is level across the top as well.
Step 5: Secure the fencing onto the arch frame – Starting at the bottom of one end of the trellis, unroll the chicken wire netting, and loosely lay it over the top of the frame. Use cable zip ties to attach the netting to the frame along the entire length of the arch.
Then use wire cutters to cut off the excess netting so it’s level with the ground at the bottom of the arch. You can also use the wire cutters to clip the extra tabs off the zip ties, if desired.
Related Post: How To Grow Peas
This pea arch trellis is a fun and easy project that will only take you a few hours to make. You could even spray paint it if you want to give it more character.
If you’d like to learn how to make the most of your space and get as much homegrown food as possible, then my Vertical Vegetables book is perfect! It will teach you all you need to know, has tons of gorgeous photos, and includes 23 DIY projects you can build for your own garden. Order your copy today!
Learn more about my Vertical Vegetables book here.
More DIY Garden Projects
- How To Make A Cattle Panel Trellis Arch
- How To Build A Squash Arch For Your Garden
- How To Make A Simple DIY Trellis Arch
- How To Make A Cheap DIY Compost Bin
- How To Make Sturdy DIY Tomato Cages
Share your favorite pea trellis design or ideas in the comments section below.
Cathie Bourne says
Hi Amy, I love the idea of this trellis and am getting ready to build it. I am wondering how tall you have found is best for this setup, and if the height discourages squirrels from eating the produce. And what other veggies have you found this trellis practical for? Thank you in advance.
Cathie
Amy Andrychowicz says
The legs are 4′ long, but I recommend driving them at least 1′ into the ground. So the tallest you could go on this design would be 3′. I don’t think it would discourage squirrels from eating your produce, but I haven’t had problems with them on my trellises before, so I can’t say for sure. It’s a pretty heavy-duty arch, so you could support just about any veggies on it, including beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, cucamelons…etc. Just keep in mind the small size when choosing your crops, because super long/large vines will overwhelm it. If you want something taller for those, check out my squash arch.
Sue Couch says
Hi Amy, this DIY trellis project is absolutely brilliant! So easy, user friendly, adaptable! I’ve sent it to my gardening daughters as a project for them and their teenage kids. I, too, am a very keen gardener. I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wonderful to hear that you love my pea trellis! 🙂 Enjoy!