Looking to create a flexible and personalized garden trellis that fits your space and style? With the help of 3D printing and basic lumber, we can design a fully customizable structure that supports climbing plants and adds a stylish touch to any garden bed.
Why This Plan Works
- Fully customizable dimensions for different garden spaces
- Cost-effective, using common 1 x 2 lumber and 3D-printed parts
- Durable and weather-resistant with paint and protective coating
- Easy to modify and expand for future gardening projects
- Adds a creative, modern design element to your garden
What You Will Need
- 1 x 2 lumber (cut to size)
- 3D printer with filament
- Liquid Nails glue
- 1″ screws
- Spray paint and clear coat
Step 1. Cut Lumber to Size
Determine the dimensions of your trellis based on your garden’s needs. We went with 6-inch segments, a 12-inch width, and 12-inch-long legs to anchor the structure into the soil. Cut six pieces at 12 inches and six pieces at 6 inches. Lay them out to visualize the frame.
Step 2. Start 3D Printing the Connectors
Begin printing your connectors early, as this is the most time-consuming step. You’ll need six 3-point connectors for the main grid and two right-angle connectors for the top corners. Print a test connector and check the fit with your lumber. We found that resizing the print to 99% provided a snug, secure connection.
Step 3. Dry Fit and Finalize Dimensions
Once all your lumber is cut and connectors are printed, assemble the trellis without any glue. This dry fit helps confirm your dimensions, design symmetry, and overall aesthetic. Make any necessary adjustments before moving forward.
Step 4. Paint the Wooden Pieces
Spray each piece of wood with your chosen paint color. A general-purpose spray paint works great. Once painted, apply a clear coat for extra durability and protection from the elements. Allow the pieces to dry completely before moving on.
Step 5. Glue the Frame Together
Apply Liquid Nails into each connector slot and carefully insert the wooden pieces. Since this adhesive takes over 24 hours to fully cure, you’ll have plenty of time to reposition parts for perfect alignment. Wipe off any excess glue around the connectors to keep the structure neat.
Step 6. Add a 3D Printed Background
If your trellis seems a little open for delicate plants to grab onto, you can enhance its functionality by adding a 3D printed backing.
We created a hexagon-shaped mesh insert to fit the 6-inch gaps between the wood pieces. This addition helps climbing plants latch on more easily.
Step 7. Screw the Background Pieces in Place
Attach each hex backing piece using two 1-inch screws. Be sure to designate the front and back of your trellis before securing them. With a 12-inch-wide trellis, we fit three hex inserts per row for full coverage and support.
Step 8. Install and Plant
With the structure complete, it’s time to install your trellis in the garden. Dig two holes to anchor the legs, insert the trellis, and backfill with soil to hold it steady. Finally, introduce your plants—we used sweet peas, and they’ve taken to the trellis beautifully.
Note: Allow the glued joints to set completely before placing the trellis outdoors or adding plants.
Other Details Display
- Trellis Dimensions: 12″ wide x variable height
- Connector Types: 3-point and right-angle 3D-printed joints
- Segment Lengths: 6″ grid spacing, 12″ base legs
- Paint: General-purpose spray paint with clear topcoat
- Background Design: 3D printed hex shapes for plant support
- Screw Size: 1″ screws for backing attachments
- Assembly Time: 1–2 days including drying/curing time
- Filament Type: PLA or weather-resistant filament recommended
Summary
This 3D printed garden trellis is a customizable, sturdy, and stylish addition to any garden. With a combination of basic lumber and creative 3D printed connectors, we can build a trellis that suits any size or aesthetic. It’s functional, affordable, and perfect for supporting climbing plants like sweet peas.
This plan is a contribution by [NSekinger]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.
