Your method should work fine. The issue isn't what is securing the mesh panels to the PVC but how you anchor your PVC in the ground. Yes, rebar should do that nicely. Try a sledge hammer?

Rebar or T posts will work fine - I prefer T posts. Building a full wodden frame is another method. But yeah the supports have to be driven deep into the ground - 6 to 8" anyway and 12" if possible. You will likely need at least a step stool or a free-standing ladder to get high enough and at least a 2 lb sledge hammer, at least 3 T posts (depending on the length of your trellis, and some wire to fix the panel to the posts.

But I have to ask, if you aren't "handy" why use such a hands-on set-up? There are many ways to support things that don't require as much work. So what crop are you trying to trellis with this?

Check out all these pics of different ways to use cattle panels as a trellis.

cattle+panel+trellis pics

Dave

Dave, what would be an easier method? All the trellises I've seen require cutting lumbar or metal things and hammering things together. I use the trellis for snow peas, beans, cucumbers, butternut squash, and melons.

Did you look at all the cattle panel arch pics? They don't require any building.

All of those will grow on a simple string trellis . They will also grow on a bamboo tripod trellis where you just tie 3 pieces of skinny wood together and stick the 3 legs in the ground. Many grow peas on just a bunch of branches struck into the ground. There are also lots of different commercial trellis options possible you can buy that require no building on your part. You just have to think outside the box as we are only limited by out imagination. ;-)

I assume you are growing all these things on a trellis to save space? Cukes, squash and melons don't require a trellis, it is just an option for them. If building or buying a sturdy trellis is a problem then why not switch to different varieties like bush beans instead of pole beans? Bush cukes? Snow peas on string? If all else fails do you know someone who can build/install it for you?

Dave

Yes, to save space. My area is a 7'x15' plot at a community garden, so too small for arches or tripods. All the cattle panel pics I have seen at least have t-posts or rebar involved, which is what I am thinking of using. I'll look for more pre-made trellises. I don't think I found any tall enough when I looked last year.

For the supports, is it enough to have vertical posts tied to the panels, or do I need some diagonal supports as well?

All my friends are nerdy doctors like me. I don't think anyone even has a ladder and sledge hammer for me to borrow!

Zeedman, a pole driver looks genius! For anyone else as clueless as me, here's a video on how it works: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SdqXOW1uJig

My pole bean trellises are made of galvanized electrical conduit with concrete mesh attached to them with mini bungee cords. I just cut the conduit to make 2 sides and a top and get two connectors to attach the top to the sides (you can make it as high and wide as you like, but figure that out so you'll know how much conduit to get). I made mine the size of 4'x8' mesh panels. Then I measure the distance between the two sides and hammer 3-4' green metal stakes into the ground, and place both sides of the trellis into the grooves of the stakes......attaching a couple bungees there too. (Be sure to hammer your stakes into the ground with the hollow part towards where the pipe will be. It helps to stabilize them. Here's a pic of mine. DH was moving it for me one Fall.

Here's mine, I just smacked those 6ft green post in the ground about 2ft then attached the cage material.

I like using the T-post driver, but the method used in the video is unnecessarily risky. For the taller poles, elevating the post first, then slipping the driver over it, runs the risk of serious injury... either because of the shoulder & back strain used to raise the driver over the end, or because you can lose control at that height and have the heavy driver break your skull!!! It astonishes me to see this method used repeatedly on the Web.

A far safer & less stressful method:

• dig a small locator hole where the pole will be located (this is also a good way to be sure multiple poles will be in alignment)
• place the driver over the upper end of the pole while it is still on the ground
• move the pole & driver to the location, place the lower end in the locator hole, and elevate both pole & driver
• pound the pole to proper depth ***be careful not to hit your head with the driver handles, or to allow your hand to slip onto the pole (where it can be caught between the driver & the nubs on the pole)***
• when done, pull the diver off of the pole with one smooth upward motion

There is still a risk of head injury (or other body parts which might be impacted) if the driver is dropped during removal; however, the driver will be much lower after the pole has been driven, and easier to control. Because the greatest danger is losing control of the driver while elevated, I recommend using gloves with a non-slip surface.

When we use this, I stand below.....with my head out of the way, while my husband pounds it. I think it would be hard to use alone, since it seems one person needs to keep it straight. But yes.......it can be a very dangerous tool.

are you using the panels of concrete mesh or the rolls. I use the rolls to make cages for my tomato plants but I also find the same cages work fine for cukes, peas, and beans. just make a round cage and cut off the edges so the prongs go into the ground.

A picture of where you have this trellis would be good.

Think "portable soccer goal" and make a pipe trellis with base supports.You can do this with PVC pipe and fittings.

If it's only 7 feet wide, you can make a cube frame and just put the mesh on one side of it.