Making Tripods

Bamboo and vine tripod.

This tall narrow structure is suitable for runner beans, peas, tomatoes and cucumbers. It could also be constructed in a large pot.
 

MATERIALS

• Six pieces of green bamboo, 2.5 meters long.
  Medium strength twine. 
• Several lengths of first year growth of vine, one to two meters long. (I used bay leaf as I have a massive tree which regularly needs cutting. You can use willow, grapevine, jasmine or anything else suitably flexible.)
• Few lengths of strong twine
  

METHOD

1.    Spacing the bamboo evenly, push them firmly into the ground, making a circle about 80 cm in diameter. Make sure you push them at least 30 cm into the ground so the tripod is stable.

2.    Using a ladder, gather the top ends together so they overlap in the same direction and tie them together with twine.

3.    Over the twine, weave the vine into and around the bamboo, creating what looks like a bird’s nest or wreath, wrapped in a ring around the bamboo.

4.    Repeat this with more vines near the bottom of the tripod and then a third one half way up, equidistant between the top and bottom ones.

5.    Wrap and weave some lengths of vine in a spiral from top to bottom, going in different directions each time, to create a diamond pattern.

Cement and Metal pole tripod

This tripod, with its heavy cement base, is solid yet it can be moved to a different position next year.

MATERIALS

• Three  metal poles, 3 m long
• Three flat pieces of metal, about 10 cm long
• Empty chlorine bucket or old bucket
• Bag of premixed cement

METHOD

1. Weld the three flat pieces of metal at right angles to the bottom of each of the poles. This is to prevent the pole pulling out of the cement. If you don't have access to a welder, drill a hole through the bottom of the pole and push a thick nail through it.

2. Mix sufficient cement for one pole with water, following the instructions on the bag. 

3. Position a pole in the centre of the bucket, with the right angle metal at the bottom, and add the cement.

4. Once it has set, remove it from the bucket and repeat with the other two poles.

5. Position the three poles in a triangle in the garden, digging slightly so they are set into the ground, leaning towards each other. Gather their tops and tie them together.

6. Wind blue nylon washing line diagonally around the poles

Gum Pole Tripod

This sturdy, long-lasting tripod is ideal for heavier use such as butternut and gemsquash.
MATERIALS

• Three gum poles, 3 meters long (50 – 75mm diameter)
• Gum pole thatching laths: (30 – 50 mm diameter) total of 13.5 meters
• Galvanised nails
• Wire and rope

METHOD

1.    Dig three holes, 50 cm deep on the corners of a triangle, with the sides of the triangle  measuring about 1.2 m long. Place a half brick in the bottom of each hole and place a gum pole in each hole on top of the brick. (This increases stability). Fill with soil but do not firm.
2.    Using a ladder, tie the three poles together loosely about 30 cm from the top. Step back and adjust it so it is centered. When it is straight, bind the poles together securely with the wire and firm the soil around the base of the poles.
3.    Cut three 1.4 m lengths of thatching laths.
4.    Drilling holes first, nail the shorter pieces across the uprights, 20 cm above the ground. The ends will protrude so overlap them.
5.    Repeat this six times, working your way upwards, leaving 20cm gaps and using successively shorter lengths of thatching laths:
Level 2 = 83 cm wide
Level 3 = 67 cm wide
Level 4 = 58 cm wide
Level 5 = 43 cm wide
Level 6 = 33 cm wide
Level 7 = 25 cm wide
6.    Cover the wire at the top with lashings of natural twine or rope.