Check supports and tie in climbing plants

When to do it

Before climbing growth puts supports under load, then as shoots lengthen. Match the support to the mature plant and its fruit.

What you need

• Suitable existing trellis, stakes or support
• Soft garden ties and scissors
• Gloves

How to do it

1. Check the plant guide: some plants climb, others need tying, and bush varieties may need no trellis. Look at the support from stable ground.
2. Check for wobble, rot, rust, loose anchors and sharp edges. Replace or have unsafe supports repaired before using them; heavy permanent climbers need appropriately designed structures.
3. Choose a flexible young stem and guide it gently towards the support. Do not force an older rigid stem into a new position.
4. Use a soft tie with room for the stem to thicken. Where rubbing is a risk, loop around the stem, cross the ends, loop around the support and tie on the support side: the crossing forms a cushion.
5. Recheck during growth and after wind. Loosen restrictive ties, replace brittle ones, and guide new shoots without blocking paths.

What success looks like

• The support is stable and the stem is held without being pinched.
• There is space for growth and no rubbing wound at the tie.

Watch out for

• Using bare wire around a stem.
• Waiting until a plant is heavy before checking anchors.
• Forcing every climbing or bush crop onto the same support.

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