How to Build a Garden Trellis from a Lattice

A garden trellis is used to encourage the growth of sprawling vines and flowers and is an excellent place for a bench seat or other outdoor seating area. The lattice will allow vines and flowers to grow and crawl up the openings and climb to a height that makes the arrangement very noticeable in your garden.

Lattice panels are an excellent material choice for a lattice wall. They already have openings in a panel that allow the vines to weave in and out and naturally create exciting designs. Building a trellis from lattice panels is a great DIY project and can be completed in an afternoon. Let's get started.

Step 1 - Create Frame

Build the frame for the trellis by screwing the three-foot 2x2 inch wood to the six-foot 2x2. Create measurements on the 5-foot pieces and then screw the first 3 foot piece of wood to be about four inches up from the bottom. Then, measure and screw the second piece of three-foot by two-inch lumber to be about 2 inches from the top. Make sure that the corners are square.

Step 2 - Build Inside Lattice Panel Support

Place a piece of the three-foot 1x1 inch wood strip on the inside of the frame. Then, screw the portion of the ribbon into place so that the edges are flush with the two-by-two pieces of wood. Continue placing one by one-inch wood strips on the inside edge of the frame and screwing them into place. When you are finished, you should have installed the two three-foot pieces and both five-foot pieces.

Step 3 - Insert Lattice Panel

Place the lattice panel into the frame to sit on top of and support the one by one-inch wood strips. Make sure the lattice panel is square, and the fit is snug and secure.

Step 4 - Install Outside Lattice Panel Support

Just as you did with the interior edge wood strips, begin screwing into place the one by 1-inch wood strips on the outer edge of the frame. This will lock the lattice panel into the frame.

Step 5 - Dig Post Holes

Use the post hole diggers to dig holes for the trellis spaced at the same width as the posts on your trellis frame. Dig the holes so that they are about 4 inches deep. This will allow the trellis to sit on the ground.

Step 6 - Mix Concrete

Follow the directions on the bag of concrete mix and mix the cement.

Step 7 - Insert the Trellis

Place the trellis into the two holes that you dug in the ground.

Step 8 - Support Trellis and Pour Concrete

Place gravel around the post in the post hole. Then, pour the concrete mix into the spot while making sure the trellis is straight and upright. When you finish, please take a couple of large rocks or boulders and place them against the post so the lattice will move.

Step 9 - Paint the Trellis

Once the trellis is dry, paint the trellis with the finish of your choice.