It is recommended that you position your climbing frames with the bottom of the trellis or netting 10-15cm above the soil.
The reason for this is that it makes it easier to control weeds that grow under the frames.
It won’t take you long to realise the difference this will make – and I highly recommend it.
Peas and beans don’t seem to have any trouble getting themselves up to this level, although sometimes they need a helping hand.
If you want a tall frame, you can make it up to 1.8m in height because this is probably as tall as you will be able to reach, although some of the scrambling vegetable plants, such as cucumber and climbing beans, will manage to scale this, and more!
Something this height will need to be permanent and made with wooden or steel posts or standards.
It needs to be braced across the top for added strength.
For the netting, I have used galvanised steel reinforcing mesh on mine, but there are other options available, although they may not be as long-lasting.
Sometimes, if I am pushed for space, I will put up a temporary structure such as a length of low netting, which I peg into the ground with bamboo canes.
Peas will happily grow up this and are easy to take down at the end of the harvesting period.
The netting can be rolled up and used for future use.
A frame for ornamental climbers. Image / Tim Garman, Silver-i Design, from Down to Earth Gardening by Phil Thomsen
I am a keen builder of bamboo teepees, especially if you can get a supply of tall bamboo from someone you know.
They are both functional and rather attractive in the garden. I sometimes use them to grow my sweet peas up.
You can make teepee structures from lengths of narrow wood. I have seen them painted bright colours, and that adds a bit of fun to a green vegetable garden!
A pea frame. Image / Tim Garman, Silver-i Design, from Down to Earth Gardening by Phil Thomsen
Plus, if you have a large pot, you can add a bamboo teepee, pushing it into the pot then securing the poles together at the top and growing your peas or even tiny cucumbers up it.
Your pot will need regular watering and feeding.
Then there are garden arches, which can be metal or made from almost anything that will bend, such as long branches.
A range of garden climbing frames. Image / Tim Garman, Silver-i Design, from Down to Earth Gardening by Phil Thomsen
You can buy kitsets from garden centres or use two square posts and attach a length of reinforcing steel bent to the desired shape.
If you have the space, a walk-in enclosed frame around your vegetable garden has a double advantage.
If you include a roof, this will stop any rodents or birds from getting to your vegetables or fruit, plus you will have extra climbing frames to use.
If you add some vertical gardens, you will have a vegetable garden that will certainly produce.
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