Trellising peas on a tomato stake: ala "Little House in the Suburbs"

If anyone follows the blog "Little House in the Suburbs", maybe you all can help me. I am using this garden plan: http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/06/free-garden-plan-fall-garden.html

I don't have time this year to build a beautiful trellis like the one suggested in Mel's book, because well, I'm due with baby #4 any day now! and we are swamped with other last minute baby projects to be done. But, my peas are a foot high and need some support asap. So I figured we would quickly put up the tomato stakes and nylon trellis lines as the blogger suggests with that plan. Oh, and my cucumbers and pole beans will need help in a few weeks too!

Here are my questions:


1) How tall would you estimate the tomato stakes to be? My husband put in some 1"x1" wooden stakes that are maybe 7 feet tall, and they seem way too tall. But what do I know?!

2) How far back to do you put the stake in behind the squares of peas? We at first put it in right smack behind the boards, but that wouldn't really give enough of a slant for the trellis string for the peas to climb...right? Do we need to scoot it back by a foot?

3) I planted 9 "holes"/sprouts of peas. How many nails + string lines do I put in the backboard for them to climb up?

4) Do I attach the peas with string to the trellis "lines" Or do I just encourage them to wrap themselves around the lines and they will naturally attach themselves?


If anyone has any other ideas for trellising peas, cucumbers, and green beans that are quick and easy, then I am all ears!

Thanks!

I'm also awaiting baby #4! Gardening is hard with this belly.

I used my old tomato cages flipped upside down for peas. So far it's working really well. I was able to fit 3 across 4 squares, and the peas just found their way up no problem. It looks a little odd but it works and it was the right amount of effort.

Peas don't need a lot of help. They are a vine with tendrils and they will wind those tendrils around whatever is next to them. I guide mine just a teeny bit, but pretty much once they find the trellis, they will climb up it without a whole lot of effort... It hasn't really mattered how I've put my trellis...once they find it, they climb it and each other... I use just the plain old netting recommended by Mel in the book.

For tomatoes - it depends if they are determinate or indeterminate. An indeterminate tomato will continue growing until frost or until you nip it off on top. I think 7' is GREAT for an indeterminate tomato. Last year I planted transplants and they easily got to 6' and could've probably gone to 7'. This year I'm stringing 7'. I know some folks who go to 10' but since I'm short and have no desire to climb ladders in my front yard, I'm stopping at 7'.

In short, it sounds like you are doing just fine and congratulations Mama!