Nicole's Take: The Nicole Panel Trellis is the vertical growing solution I wished existed for years before I finally had it made — it's powder-coated black steel, assembles in about 15 minutes without tools, and looks like a custom one-piece installation. It's durable, strong enough to grow heavy veggies, and so beautiful.

By Nicole Johnsey Burke: Founder of Gardenary and Author of Kitchen Garden Revival

The Nicole Panel Trellis: Designed to Complement the Nicole Arch

We designed this sturdy panel trellis to complement our fan-favorite Nicole Arch trellis. I've used a custom-made version of this panel trellis in kitchen gardens for years, but now we have a shippable kit that can arrive right on your doorstep.

I worked with our trellis designer to create a panel that arrives in two pieces but looks like one seamless custom piece from the front.

I recently installed three Nicole Panel Trellises at the back of my kitchen garden for growing blackberries. I can't wait for the vines to climb up the rungs and create a gorgeous backdrop for my garden space.

This trellis is a beautiful, elegant way to add more vertical growth to your garden, and it'll last a very long time.

If you're considering whether this trellis is right for your garden space, scroll down to find more information about the trellis material, dimensions, and assembly directions.

Why the Nicole Panel Trellis Is the Best Trellis for a Raised Bed Garden

• Powder-coated steel lasts indefinitely — no rust, no rot, no replacing it every few seasons the way you would with wood or bamboo
• 6 feet tall — tall enough for indeterminate tomatoes and cucumbers to grow to their full potential
• Looks custom, ships in a box — designed to look like one seamless piece of metal from the front
• No tools required — assembles in 15 minutes with finger-tightened hardware
• Ground spikes included — works in raised beds and directly in the ground
• Designed by a vegetable garden expert — Nicole has installed trellises in 300+ kitchen gardens and built this one based on what actually works

Three Ways to Use the Nicole Panel Trellis

• at the back of a raised bed in a border garden (alongside a fence, home, or driveway)
• down the center of a raised bed that's 4 feet wide or so (like in the picture below)
• in the landscape to grow vining blackberries, raspberries, or climbing roses

This panel is super versatile thanks to its height and the added strength provided by the 1-foot-long ground spikes. You'll have a nice and sturdy support for your favorite vining plants. I love using several panels side by side to create a wall or beautiful backdrop.

What the Nicole Panel Trellis Is Made Of

This panel is constructed of tubular steel, which is first acid washed and then powder coated black to give a long-lasting finish and added weather resistance. Even though the sides are hollow, they're very sturdy thanks to the durability and strength of the steel.

These high-quality steel trellises are made to last a lifetime in your garden space.

Dimensions of the Nicole Panel Trellis

This panel trellis features five 8in. x 12in. rectangular windows running horizontally and six running vertically. 

TRELLIS HEIGHT

This trellis measures 72 inches (or 6 feet) tall. That's a great height for growing indeterminate vines like tomatoes, pole beans, and cucumbers, all plants that can grow at least 6 feet tall.

TRELLIS WIDTH

The base measures 32 inches, or not quite 3 feet, wide. This gives you room to plant several plants along the base.

Before You Assemble: A Few Helpful Notes

This trellis can ship across the continental US and arrives in a single box. Before you begin assembling your Nicole Panel Trellis, here are a couple tips to make the process nice and easy.

• One person can assemble and install this trellis (but it's more fun to have a partner!) in about 15 minutes.
• You don't need any tools to assemble the trellis thanks to its push-fit system. There are two nuts and bolts that can be finger tightened in the back (as seen in the picture below). I built all of my panel trellises by hand, and they've held up great through some pretty intense storms.
• If you're using the ground spikes, it's helpful to have a rubber mallet or perhaps even a post hole digger to break ground.
• Lay all the pieces on a soft surface to avoid scratching the finish. I typically assemble trellises on the grass right next to my kitchen garden.

Step One to Assemble the Nicole Panel Trellis

Carefully unpack all parts from the box. You'll notice that each piece is wrapped to prevent scratching.

Your Nicole Panel Trellis kit should come with only four parts:

• 2 ground spikes
• 2 panel pieces (one top piece and one bottom piece)
• 2 nuts and bolts

Step Two to Assemble the Nicole Panel Trellis

Grab the bottom panel piece and use it to mark the spots where you'll insert the ground spikes or place the trellis inside a raised bed. Dig a 12-inch-deep hole for the first spike and insert it into the ground/soil. Double check the placement of the second spike by placing the panel piece onto the first spike and marking the width.

Make sure you have solid ground if you're installing this panel in the ground. Otherwise, bury the ground spikes a little deeper. If this will be the trellis's permanent location, you can always pour a little cement in the holes for the spikes. That will guarantee your panel won't move!

If you're installing several panels in the ground, it would be helpful to use some stakes and twine to create a straight line for placement.

Step Three to Assemble the Nicole Panel Trellis

Take the bottom panel (the panel with two female ends and two male ends) and slide it onto the ground spikes. Make sure the correct side is facing the front.

Slide the female ends of the top panel onto the male ends of the bottom panel.

Attach the two provided bolts into the two holes and tighten the nuts. This will connect the top and bottom piece of the panel.

Give yourself a pat on the back—your trellis is now assembled and installed!

Here's What You Can Grow on Your Nicole Panel Trellis

Just a few ideas include:

• climbing roses
• perennial vines like blackberries or raspberries
• indeterminate tomatoes
• pole beans
• vining peas
• cucumbers
• climbing nasturtiums
• coral vine
• passion vine
• small gourds and melons

This trellis is basically perfect for all the yummy plants that need to climb since the little windows provide lots of places for tendrils to latch onto.

Nicole Panel Trellis vs. Nicole Arch Trellis: Which One Is Right for Your Garden?

I get this question a lot, so here's my honest answer.

Choose the Nicole Panel Trellis if:

• You want to grow plants along the back of a raised bed against a fence or wall
• You're growing perennial vines like blackberries, raspberries, or climbing roses directly in the ground
• You want to line up several panels side by side to create a full backdrop or living wall
• Your priority is maximum height — at 6 feet tall, this panel gives indeterminate tomatoes and vining cucumbers all the vertical space they need

Choose the Nicole Arch Trellis if:

• You want a statement piece that creates a beautiful archway over a garden path or bed entrance
• You're growing lighter climbers like sweet peas, nasturtiums, or small vining flowers
• You want something that functions as both a trellis and a garden focal point

Use both if:

You're designing a full kitchen garden and want cohesive structure throughout. I use the panel trellis at the back of my beds and the arch trellis as the entry point — together they create a garden that looks intentional and designed, not just functional.

Both trellises are made from the same powder-coated black tubular steel and use the same slide-and-lock assembly system, so they work beautifully together as a set.