They do have different gauge wire panels. I am not sure the smaller on I got would be up to holding the weight. I made two triangle towers with mine then realized I cut one shorter than the other!! It was really a chore to work with for me, wire cutters and my hands didn't do well together. I won't try cutting it again.
I put them up anyway and had passion vines on them, but recently took down the short side and plan to put that plant on a arbor we just bought. I left the three sided tower that was taller and will take a picture of it some time.
Livestock fence panel trellis photos
BTW,,,,,the arbor is one Lowes carries for around $50. It was much easier to assemble too.
Am sure they will hold a bunch of melons - just need to make sure you brace it in place and perhaps instead of using an arch shape you stand it up lengthwise between two posts. That way the melon vine can spread out lengthwise and distribute the weight of the melons across the whole panel.
I still won't buy any trellises made out of thin or hollow metal. They end up rusting out within a year or two out here. I've had the livestock fence panels in use since 2002 and the ones we have at the ranch forming the corral fencing have been there for decades and they are still in great shape.
Am planning on getting brother to make more of the triangular obelisks for me. It takes me too much time to saw through each wire with a dremel tool :o) Same goes when using bolt cutters to cut the wire. Hard work! It takes him only mere seconds when using the welder. Bending it over to form the triangular shape takes both of us but he heats up the wires and they bend quickly. Then he just tack welds the two sides together and it's done!
Now if DH would get to welding like he plans to do some day, that might be easier. My bottle tree rotted and fell so that will be his first project!
I have three of the arbors and haven't had a rusting out problem, but can see how it could happen. The gates are useless for us however, we leave them open all the time. One is covered with evergreen Confederate Jasmine and smells so sweet when in bloom. We had just got it going good in this picture, you can't see the arbor now the vines are so thick. Another I am training Mex Flame vine on and this last one will be Blue Crown passi.
Very pretty!
I finally took the pictures. I will post beginning and end of summer result.
My goal was to hide the syptic system you see. It worked! We used small 4' post as you can see. There was nothing done extra to anchor them. They have survived some very strong winds -- it was interesting to watch it sway in the wind when it was heavy with vines.
This is mid-season. . .
I am pleased, but did discover that vines will climb up -- though not over! They want to keep going up.
I used Hyacinth bean ruby moon on one side with a few moonflowers in between. That side is solid -- loaded -- really pretty. But, disappointingly, it did not really begin to bloom until September.
The other side was planted with a beautiful morning glory, that I soon discovered was not a climber (didn't know that was possible). So I put a few cypress vines with them on one end. They did well and are loaded with seed heads now (Oct.).
I also had a couple small honeysuckles planted before all of the above -- I can't find them now -- wondering if they are still even alive. This fall or next spring will tell.
.
This is a side view of those non-climbing morning glories. That side never really filled in; thankfully it was not the side seen from the house. I still love my arch!
This was taken at dusk in all its glory!
last picture! I just had to show a closeup of this.
People suggested passion vine -- I've never grown them, but am told they spread like crazy, so am rather afraid of them. Thinking next year of only doing cypress vine, the hummingbirds like that. Don't think I'll do the Hycinth bean again.
I hope this helps encourage people how easy an arch can be. And fun! And not too pricey! It was my mother's day gift!
How tall is this arch made with the panels? I am thinking of putting one over a gate that goes into my backyard.
Good pics and description of what worked and didn't. Those hyacinth bean will reseed, so you might want to snip the pods you can reach now. .....Yeah, if it wasn't dark, I would do the same!
Brenda, that is an impressive arch and garden behind it. I can see a bench under there to rest on. Good job! See you in the spring.
Sheila
bob, the heigth of the arch depends on how far you spread the width. The panels are 16' long. My arch is approx 6'+. I am 5'8" and can walk under without a problem, exceot this fall when it is loaded with vines, I had to lower my head to keep from getting hit by a vine, more in fear of possible bees -- I'm allergic!
I used a garden hose marked at 16' and arched on the ground to get an idea how far apart to place the ends so it would be tall enough.
Banana, thinking about picking bean seed and reselling on e-bay this winter when i'm stuck inside. Also been picking cypress seed. Thanks for the warning, now i'll be more diligent!
Thanks Shelia! My garden is behind it and this summer at times it looked like a jungle out there, especially when I overwatered! My own little jungle in my backyard -- I liked it, even if I couldn't get to it. . . my sweet potatoes took over. Now i have more sweet potates than I know what to do with!
Baked sweet potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, sweet potato pie, sweet potato bread, sweet potato fries,.....etc.! Sorry I had a Forest Gump moment.. LOL!
Mmmmm sweet potatoes!!! I can make a mean Sweet Potato Casserole :o)
Diced, sliced, smashed, mashed, julienned, curled, boiled, sauteed, fried nuked, ....etc!
Sheila_FW,
That would be a "Bubba Gump" moment...LOL! (He had a partner, remember)
Bubba-Gymgirl ^^_^^
Right! Sorry Bubba!
Whut???
Gump, Gump, Gump!
Bubba-Gumpgirl?
lol
Lookie here
http://ohiothoughtsblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/pumpkin-arbor.html
WOW Cricket...guess that answers your earlier question about 8 pound melons!!!
~ Cat
ooh, this looks inviting! My orginal design that I planned my arch from was covered with squash or gourds. It was pretty. Maybe I'll do this next year -- with -- cypress vine. Sounds pretty.
They used double fencing but it wasn't as strong as the livestock panels are. You should have no trouble supporting what you want to grow.
Greta check out the photos of the Sweet Autumn Clematis I have a wooden arch that was wonderful for a Rambicate Trombocino (squash) but next year I want more of the SAC so plan to move some of mine around ..
grits -- where will I find this pic? I went to Sweet Autumn Clematis plant files and did not find any wooden arch. . . but I did read lots of information about the SAC.
Help me find this. Thanks!
After seeing all of the beautiful arches I wanted to show mine, first and only one so far... all hand built next pic will have it covered with a squash vine..
It is a thread that a bunch of SAC fans was doing about a month ago on Texas gardening..
Sure hope to find the right pic
That wasn't the pic I hoped for but does show a good use for the arch a great setting for family pictures In this one My Sister and her DH from Conroe,Tx. This one shows what a great thing an arch can be for climbers
grits....that is a cute arch. What type of squash is that with the huge leaves? Those would make great castings.
Shelia, have you done castings? I'm wanting to make a couple with my elephant ears. Any hints?
Greta we had a thread about bird baths and I don't remeember if it was here or on the birders forum but I am att. a page I copied from a magazine = I have lots of pix of ones I have made I know my name isn't Shelia but here they be ..And Shelia the squash is Rambicante Trombocino and it was in the worst garden mistakes thread as someone translated it was Rampaging Zuchinni
Here is one of the first I made and is from an EE it has such an elegant shape
Grits....That is so pretty! Thanks for retrieving that sheet, I remember seeing it before. Found it on line....here is the link! http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/53birdbath1.php
Brenda....no I haven't tried it ....Yet! I have huge EEs and some years Castor bean leaves and keep thinking about doing it. Peg...Datura12 gave me one she makes them to hang on the wall too. Love it, and she said it is easy.
Thanks grits and Shelia -- Today I will pick up the stuff to make this -- if I keep putting this off, I'll loose my leaves to frost.
I've seen gardengates information. . . And kept researching on line. Found another site that recommended putting chicken wire in for reinforcement. Think I'll do that. The painting kind of scares me, but hey, I have several elephant ear plants -- what have I got to loose?
They look wonderful. Wouldn't that be fun to do at a RU? Too bad we couldn't transport it right away.
Guess we could put on a class and have some in the different stages already made? I haven't done one myself but would love to try it.
I was thinking winter would be good, but there would be no leaves...duh!