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Problem - Trellising in shallow soil

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We who grow on soil-covered rooftops have limited soil depth. Trellising tall and heavy fruit crops like tomatoes is a challenge because we cannot drive stakes deep and wind is strong.

Hack needed! Focusing on low/no-cost, making use of existing roof infrastructure, redesigned weight distribution...

kellyschramm's picture

We came up with some potential solutions to Michael's problem at Sunday's Farm Hack.

See photo for design. We suggest a box structure to run around/over the beds of plants that need trellising. A heavy material (salvaged metal pipe) should make up the base to weigh down the structure, where the frame can consist of a lighter but similarly strong material (PVC pipe?). These can be connected by tees, if using threaded pipe, and I think we discussed some kind of quick-connect otherwise.

Potential issues: Height of structure: stability, ease of access to beds. Mobility: crop rotation requires trellises move seasonally. Whether to bury the base or set it atop the beds.

Potential multi-use aspects: Base piping as rainwater storage? Similar or connected structure for windscreens to block wind down the central corridor of the roof?

Adam Lemieux's picture

Michael,

We built some trellis frames for our winter breeding nursery last fall out of 1-3/8" top rail. The farm manager did not want to trellis to the greenhouse frame. I was asked to come up with a design. Attached are some images of that design and the result. The frames worked well, but I'm not sure how cost effective it would be for the Grange and others in a similar situation. At any rate, here are the photos. I tried to upload the cost calculator, but the forum software wouldn't allow that file format. You or anyone else can e-mail me if you would like a copy of the spreadsheet.

alemieux@johnnyseeds.com

michaeljamesmeier's picture

Thanks, Adam. A bit out of our price range for full deployment, but worth considering for other growers in similar environments.