Freestanding Trellis

Mark the locations of the center slats (C) and connector post (D). Glue and clamp the center slats and connector post in place.

Cut a 15"-wide spacer from scrap wood or cardboard and use it to separate two rails (B) with their ends flush. Staple a top screen (E) to the inside faces of these rails and repeat for the bottom screen (F). Drill, glue, and screw the rails with screens to the long anchor posts (A) to create a pair of double screens. Then drill, glue, and screw the remaining rails.

Cover screws with wood putty (if necessary) and let dry before sanding smooth. Sand as needed and lightly round over any sharp edges. Stain or paint the panel and let dry. Repeat as needed.

Follow the same procedure as with the tall trellis to mark, glue, and screw the rails (H, I) to the short anchor posts (G).

Glue and clamp the upper slats (J), lower slats (K), and upper end slat (L) to the rails.

Staple the top screen (M) to the long top rails (H). Then staple the lower screen (N) to the short rails (I).

In addition to the 15" spacer you made for the tall trellis, cut a spacer 7" wide to separate two long top rails (H). Using the spacers, staple the screens to the inside faces of the rails (H, I) to create another pair of double screens. Drill, glue, and screw the rails (H, I) with screens (M, N) to short anchor posts (G). Then drill, glue, and screw the remaining short rails (I) in place.

Cover screws with wood putty (if necessary) and let dry before sanding smooth. Sand as needed and lightly round over any sharp edges. Stain or paint the panel and let dry. Repeat as needed.

Using a posthole digger or a 4' stake of 2"x2" pressure-treated lumber and a hammer, make four 12"-deep holes in the soil where you'll install each trellis.

Place a trellis in each set of holes and use a level to ensure it's plumb on all four sides. Then fill in the rest of the soil around the anchor posts (A,G).