DIY Raspberry Trellis
How to create an easy raspberry trellis for autumn-fruiting raspberries. The final piece is 12' long and about 3.5 feet wide, but you can customize the project to fit the size of your raspberry patch.
Servings 1 12' Raspberry Trellis
Cost $30
Ingredients
- 8 lengths of 2x2" lumber cut 6’ long
- 4 lengths of 2x2" lumber, 3’ long
- 50 meters galvanized steel wire 1.2mm gauge, 164 feet
- 50-60 eyelet screws
- 8 3" galvanized steel screws
Instructions
- Using the handsaw, or a jigsaw if you prefer, cut your lumber into the lengths needed. I used 2x2” rough-cut untreated lumber, but yours could be different. Use wood that’s a bit thicker or thinner if required, and if you choose pressure-treated lumber, it will last much longer than untreated.
- Fix two of the 6’ lengths together with a 3’ piece to create the letter H. I placed the horizontal piece precisely in the middle. It can be a little tricky doing this on your own, and I’d recommend measuring where you plan on putting the screws then drilling pilot holes and partially drilling in the screws. Lie it on the ground, then screw it into one end of the horizontal piece. Attach the second 6’ piece to the other end.
- Repeat until you have all of the H-braces you need.
- Dig the H-braces into the ground along your raspberry bed, spacing them four feet apart. You could put them a little closer even, but I’d not recommend any further apart. I sunk mine in about 18” but would say that two feet deep is even better. I'd also advise using a spirit level to make sure that the tops of your frames are all level with each other.
- Next, attach wires connecting the wooden structures. The best design is with three rows of wires staggered down the verticals at one foot from the top, three feet from the top, and one foot above ground level.
- To attach the wires, measure where the wires need to attach, making sure that the point on the next frame is level with the first. Drill a pilot hole into the wood and twist in an eyelet screw. Do the same on the next frame, then connect them with a piece of galvanized wire. Continue connecting all sides of the braces all the way around.
- Repeat to create three rows of wire along the long sides of the raspberry bed. You will also need to add a wire between the two verticals on each h-brace. One 12” from the top, and another at 12” from the ground. The horizontal wooden plank provides support for the raspberry canes in the middle.
- Allow the primocanes to grow up and through the structure. You can leave them as is, but if you’d like to tie them to the wires with string, go for it. If you're interested in seeing how this structure looks after a year, watch the video below.