Can I put a trellis against a metal buiding?

nanapatti 4/12/2012, 6:35 pm

I am a fairly new square foot gardener and did have fantastic luck last year! I have limited space, but do have about 30 ft on the south side of our metal garage. Would it be ok to put a 2 by 30 ft planter there and also put up a trellis. I'm worried about the heat from the metal garage.

givvmistamps 4/12/2012, 7:38 pm

What color is the garage? Will you have at least some space between the plants and the garage, and if so, how much? Also, will there be runoff of rain into your bed?

nanapatti 4/13/2012, 1:31 pm

Thanks for your response. My garage is a silver metal quonset so I know it will reflect heat. I was hoping to put the trellis only a few inches from the metal wall. There won't be a problem with runoff. I wonder if I need to hang burlap or a bamboo curtain between the garage and the trellis?

H_TX_2 4/13/2012, 1:34 pm

I would think that in the spring time when you want more heat it will reflect more light and warm the soil. During the later parts of summer the wall behind the plants should be well shaded and not reflect as much heat and light back to the plants.

nanapatti 4/13/2012, 1:46 pm

Thanks! I'm going to give it a try with tomatoes and strawberries. Will let you know how they do.

givvmistamps 4/13/2012, 2:26 pm

I would select things that enjoy heat, since it's silver. I'm not so certain that tomatoes would like that? Don't know if you eat okra up there, but that'd be my first choice, then perhaps summer squash. Not that I'm an expert...my knowledge is only through books and university websites! The reason I say this is, if you're leaving any of the garage unshaded by your garden then you're still going to get radiant heat off the metal around the sides (and top?) of your plants. I don't know how hot it gets there since I've only been to Montana once, but that's my opinion...for what it's worth. What a Face

**walshevak** 4/14/2012, 7:36 am

nanapatti wrote: Thanks for your response. My garage is a silver metal quonset so I know it will reflect heat. I was hoping to put the trellis only a few inches from the metal wall. There won't be a problem with runoff. I wonder if I need to hang burlap or a bamboo curtain between the garage and the trellis?

Make a hanging devise for the burlap before putting up the trellis just in case and make sure you can get to it even with the trellis and plants in place. My instincts say you will need it in the middle of summer, but then I live in the hot south. Very Happy

Kay

nanapatti 4/14/2012, 10:06 am

I'm going to go ahead and hang burlap (or something) behind the trellis just in case it's too hot. It can get well over 100 degrees here in northeastern montana so there would be a lot of reflected heat coming off of the garage. I think the idea of winter squash instead of tomatoes is great. Our last frost date is end of May, so I have a few weeks to get this all figured out. I appreciate the suggestions!

givvmistamps 4/14/2012, 7:55 pm

I'm glad you're figuring it out ahead of time. The burlap sounds like a great option. You can take it down and store it in the winter and still get your garden expanded for what sounds like a short growing season.

Please show photos when you get this set up! I have a metal shed I'd like to put another box next to eventually. (I really want to get rid of it and get a greenhouse instead, but unless we can find someone who'll come get it, I don't know what to do with it as we just don't need it.)

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