Before You Start: What You'll Need
A successful trellis netting installation comes down to having the right materials and a solid plan before you drive the first post. Here's what to gather:
- Heavy-duty UV-resistant trellis netting (6×6 inch mesh) — see our full collection for sizing options
- T-posts or wooden stakes (7–8 ft tall, one every 8–10 feet)
- Post driver or mallet
- Heavy-gauge wire or rope for top and bottom anchor lines
- Zip ties, wire clips, or carabiner hooks
- Measuring tape and string line for alignment
Step 1: Plan Your Layout
Before installing anything, walk your row and mark post positions with flags or stakes. Standard spacing is 8–10 feet between posts for most crops. For longer runs (100+ feet), consider adding a mid-run brace post for extra stability against wind load.
Choose your netting width based on crop height:
- 4ft Wide Roll — determinate tomatoes, low-growing crops, raised beds
- 5ft Wide Roll — most vegetables, indeterminate tomatoes, cucumbers
- 6.5ft Wide Roll — tall heirlooms, beans, hops, commercial rows, SCROG
Step 2: Set Your Posts
Drive posts at least 18 inches into the ground — deeper in sandy or loose soil. The top of each post should sit at least 12 inches above your intended netting height to allow for tensioning hardware. Use a string line between your first and last post to keep the row straight.
Pro tip: Angle your end posts slightly outward (away from the row) and brace them with a diagonal stake. This counteracts the inward pull of tensioned netting and keeps your row from leaning over time.
Step 3: Run Your Anchor Lines
String a top wire between post tops and a bottom wire 4–6 inches above ground level. Pull both wires tight and secure with wire clips or staples at each post. These anchor lines are what the netting attaches to — the tighter they are, the less sag you'll have.
Step 4: Hang the Netting
Starting at one end post, unroll the netting along the row. Attach the top edge to the top wire using zip ties every 12–18 inches. Work your way down the row, keeping the netting taut as you go — a second person makes this much easier on runs over 50 feet.
Once the top is secured, pull the bottom edge down firmly and attach it to the bottom wire the same way. The netting should be taut with no visible sag between posts.
Step 5: Train Your Plants
With the netting in place, you're ready to plant (or transplant). As plants grow:
- Weave main stems through the 6×6 inch squares as they reach each level
- Use soft plant clips or twist ties for stems that won't weave naturally
- Check plants every 3–5 days during peak growth and redirect any runners
- Remove suckers on tomatoes to keep one or two main stems per plant for cleaner trellising
End-of-Season Cleanup
Our UV-stabilized polypropylene netting is built for multi-season use. At season end:
- Cut or unclip plant material from the netting — don't yank, as this can stretch the mesh
- Remove zip ties and detach netting from anchor wires
- Shake off debris and rinse with a hose if needed
- Roll loosely and store in a dry location out of direct sunlight
With proper care, expect 3–5+ seasons of reliable use from each roll.
Ready to Install?
Shop our full range of heavy-duty trellis netting rolls in 4ft, 5ft, and 6.5ft widths. All rolls feature 6×6 inch mesh, UV-stabilized polypropylene construction, and are sized for everything from a backyard raised bed to a full commercial operation.