Arch trellis - which direction? N-S or E-W (2024)

FAQs

Should trellises be north-south or east west? ›

The general recommendation is to run a trellis North-South so that both sides get equal sunshine without a side (such as the North side in a East-West trellis) being shaded out during the day.

Face the opening whichever direction works best for your garden's design. If possible, orient your arch so the opening faces north/south. This provides maximum sunlight exposure to both sides of the trellis.

Choose the right location to garden vertically – Trellises can block the sun from reaching your garden if placed in the wrong location. To maximize sunlight, position trellises on the north edge of your garden bed or next to a fence or wall.

A north-south orientation is best for low-growing crops, allowing direct sunlight to reach both sides of the bed. For taller crops such as pole beans, peas and tomatoes an east west orientation works best. Leave enough space in between beds to easily maneuver around.

East windows get sun in the morning, west in the afternoon. North-facing windows provide semi-shade up to 5 feet away. Light intensity changes with the season. Plants that fare well in a southern exposure during the winter may have to be moved to an east- or north-facing window in summer when the light is more intense.

North to south, east to west – does it matter how you orient the rows in your garden? An east-west orientation has some advantages for frost protection, while a north-south orientation slightly increases the amount of sunlight reaching the plants.

It's usually best to place it in the center or on one of the sides so that the plants can grow against and over the arch. It's recommended to leave a space of 4 to 5 feet in the arch for a person to walk by with a basket or tools, especially if you do a lot of work in your garden.

They should be mounted on the wall vertically so that they do not restrict plant growth. Ideally battens should be narrower than the trellis frame so they'll be hidden by the trellis once installed.

Pro Tip: Orient the trellis so the growing surfaces face east and west, rather than north and south, to maximize sun exposure on both sides.

We recommend a trellis that's tall enough to accommodate growing vines, but not so tall that you'd have to stretch to pick. Our trellises measure 6 feet tall, but anywhere from 4 to 6 feet will work for growing most vining plants vertically. If your vines begin to grow out of hand, pinch off the top tip of the vine.

How to position a garden arch? ›

Arbours can be placed at the end of a path as a focal point or against an expanse of wall or fence to break it up. Arches make a statement at the entrance of a garden or over a path, especially when planted with scented climbing plants such as roses or Honeysuckle.

Wall Gap and Wall Clearance

When fitting a trellis you should also be aware of providing sufficient distance between it and the wall so that your plants do not feel suffocated. First, the gap between the wall and the back of the trellis cross beam is measured. Depending on the chosen anchoring mount, it is 1-5 cm.

When a mattress is directly on the floor, it can absorb and retain the ambient temperature, potentially leading to discomfort during hot or cold seasons. By raising the bed, airflow around the mattress helps to regulate its temperature, enhancing overall sleep comfort.

Your garden will need to receive six or more direct sunlight hours per day, all year. Really though, you're aiming for as much sun as possible. Ideally, you'll position your garden on the south side of any tall structures, such as homes, garages, tall sheds, and fences.

Choosing Raised-Bed Location and Size

Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, preferably more. If the site is not level, it will need to be leveled before building your raised bed. Ideally, the site will not be shaded by trees or have competition from tree roots in the soil.

Some gardeners place trellises at an angle to absorb maximum sunlight, and so that fruit hangs freely from the lower side of the trellis for easier harvest. To try this, set the stakes in the ground so that the trellis will face south, and will lean over the soil just north of it.

Climbers that succeed on west facing walls include jasmine, honeysuckle plants, clematis, passion flower, vitis, wisteria and Actinidia Kolomikta. Clematis are well-known for producing masses of distinctive flowers available in a broad palette of colours and various types and sizes.

Most vines twine counterclockwise, though about 10% go clockwise. Some do it both ways.

Most vines twine counterclockwise. It is not known why plants twine in a specific direction, but research has shown that direction is not random, nor is it determined by the movement of the sun or the location (hemisphere) in which the plant grows.