Berry trellis

Step one
Tidy up your existing berry patch, pruning and adding mulch if needed. Or, if you are planting new berry bushes, get them in the ground now.

Step two
On your two posts, mark where the notches for the crossbeams will go. Mark the first notch 250mm down from the top of each post and the second notch 500mm below that. Each notch should be the height of your crossbeam timber so that they will slot snugly into the gaps.

Step three
Using a circular saw set to the depth of the crossbeam timber, cut along one of the marked lines. Do the same with the second mark and then cut across the wood at approximately 5mm intervals, leaving wood slices between the two marks. Use a chisel to knock out the wood slices, creating a notch. Repeat for the remaining three notches.

Step four
Screw the crossbeams into place with 85mm screws, with the longer lengths in the top notches.

Step five
Mark the location for your post holes, one on each end of your row of berries. Add additional posts in the middle if your row is longer than 6m. Dig a hole about 600mm deep.

Step six
Place your posts in the ground. Pack the soil firmly back into the hole around each post, ensuring the post is level using the spirit level. Depending on your soil type, you may wish to support the post with quick-to-set concrete (pour it into the hole for stability).

Step seven
Stain both posts and the crossbeams with two coats of Resene Kwila Timber Stain, allowing to dry between coats.

Step eight
Pre-drill holes for the eight eye hooks, 80mm from each end of all four crossbeams.

Step nine
Using the holes as guides, screw in the eye hooks to each crossbeam, and hang a turnbuckle on the four hooks on one of the posts.

Step ten
Measure the distance between the two posts, then cut four pieces of wire that are about a metre longer.

Step twelve
If your berry plants are tall enough, attach them to the wire supports. As the canes continue to grow, spread them along the trellis.