Building a trellis..badly. It's the only way I know how.

Gardening requires many talents, the green thumb is the easy part, just add compost and plants will thrive.
I found out years ago that building things is not my forte.

The trellis in the right is one of two I've put together this season using bamboo planted up in the woods. One holds tomato plants, this one is waiting for a late crop of cucumbers to start climbing.

A craftsman would have a plan, measuring twice and cutting once, searching the bamboo for just the right pieces and only venturing to the forest once to harvest.

My small brain doesn't work that way and it never will. I head up there with a pair of loppers take what I think I'll need, usually returning a couple times as needed.

But building something for the vegetable garden doesn't have to look perfect, just be functional, at least for me.

My Boy Scout merit badge counselor would have a heart attack if he saw the quality of lashings I used to connect the bamboo. It did come back to me after a few tries and the trellis is standing tall. I used some kite string my wife found laying around. Since my kids are all grown, I doubt I'll be flying kites any time soon.

If I was to follow the rules used by a good builder, putting stuff like this together just wouldn't be fun for me. And one of the reasons to garden is to have fun while adding your own individual perspective to the space.

I think the thrill of building the trellis comes from doing it my way and taking all the time I needed. To me it's a work of art, and I'm just about the only person who will ever see it.

Whether it's unleashing your inner craftsman or admitting your talents lie elsewhere the garden is place to just be yourself.