Cattle Panel Trellis

A cattle panel trellis is a simple, affordable, and surprisingly beautiful way to build your own garden trellis. Perfect for supporting climbing plants, adding charm to your outdoor space, or even creating a shady hideaway, this design is both versatile and beginner-friendly. With minimal materials and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll have a sturdy trellis that takes your garden to the next level while making the most of vertical space.

It can even be made with or without the raised beds.

1. Cattle Panel
2. 4 Fence Posts
3. Fence Post Driver (optional, but recommended)
4. Sturdy Zip Ties
5. 2 Garden Beds 2'x4' (optional) - these are the ones I used
6. Mesh Wire (optional, for beds) - this is what I used
7. Staple Gun/Staples (optional, for beds)
8. Soil
9. Mulch (I love cedar mulch as it deters pests)
10. Seeds

Here's the full step by step video if that's easier. And don't forget to subscribe for more tutorials!

If you're using raised beds, you'll want to start by preparing them. To do this, use the staple gun to attach the mesh wire to the bottom. This will prevent larger critters from climbing under and into the beds. Then put down some cardboard to help suppress weeds.

You can also clear out the areas where you'll put the beds (e.g. dig out the grass).

Space the beds roughly 6 feet apart. Choose the distance by lifting the cattle panel into an arch between the beds, then adjusting the beds closer or farther apart until you reach the desired height.

Use a post driver to put 2 fence posts into the ground. Line them up with the edge of a bed and space them apart so they're at the corners of the cattle panel.

Repeat for the other side.

With the posts ready, you can lift the cattle panel into place so that it forms an arch between the posts. Then use strong zip ties to secure the panel to the posts.

In reality, simply setting up your posts and cattle panel will give you your trellis! I just like using the beds as it gives the plants more soil to work with.

If you're using beds, fill them with soil and then a 2-3inch layer of mulch. I really like to use cedar mulch because the smell of it helps deter pests.

Now you can plant your seeds. You'll want to plant them according to the package instructions. Because you're using a trellis you can actually plant them closer together than you might normally by making to rows that are slightly offset.

These are plants that I have planted and really liked, but any vining plant will be great. If it's a fruiting plant, just make sure the fruit is small, or that you support it as it grows (so it doesn't fall on the ground!):

1. Mini Cantaloupes
2. Cucumbers
3. Luffa Gourds

Tend to your plants throughout the season and watch them grow! I recommend using ties to help attach them to the trellis as they grow.