How to Make a Rustic Bean Teepee from the Woods
This spring, as I set up my four new raised garden beds, there were many things I considered. Location and sun exposure were big ones. What to plant and where was also another important part of my planning. I ultimately decided to go with the square foot gardening method. I’ll share my thoughts on how that worked later in the season. Today we’re going to talk about another important part of my garden planning- what structures I would use to support my plants. Specifically, I’m going to share how I built a rustic bean teepee for each of my garden beds.
There are many vining plants that are commonly grown in an edible garden. Think indeterminate tomatoes (a fancy way of saying tomatoes that will continue to grow all season), squash, melon, cucumbers and snap peas. I ended up using several different types of structures to provide support for my vining plants.
One of these structures is a rustic bean teepee made from scavenged materials. My reason for choosing this type of structure was twofold. One, I have access to plenty of sturdy branches in the woods behind my house, so the cost was virtually free. Two, this rustic bean teepee is consistent with the general aesthetic and materials I’m using in my garden- namely a country garden vibe with clean lines and galvanized metal and wood materials. Today, I’m going to share how I made this simple bean teepee using materials from the woods.
Why Should You Make a Rustic Bean Teepee?
First off, why should you take the time to make a rustic bean teepee (or a trellis of some kind) for your plants? Namely, because they’re a vining plant. They will reach out, grow and wrap around anything they can, including nearby plants! There’s been many a morning where I’ve walked out to my garden and found a neighboring plant being monopolized by a vigorous bean vine! Really any vining plant will wrap around whatever is nearby- just last week I had to retrain my cucumber to grow along the appropriate plant support instead of my metal drying rack! But back to our focus for today. A rustic bean teepee is not only a functional garden structure for climbing beans, but it also doubles as a whimsical hideout for kids or an interesting focal point in your garden.
The best part? You don’t need to spend money on store-bought materials. With a bit of foraging, some twine, and a little elbow grease, you can build a beautiful bean teepee using sticks and saplings gathered from the woods.
Materials for a Rustic Bean Teepee
- 5-6 long, sturdy poles (6–8 feet tall). Young, straight saplings work best.
- Natural twine or jute rope
- Optional: garden shovel or hoe
- Pole beans (such as Kentucky Wonder, Blue Lake, or Scarlet Runner)
Steps to Build a Rustic Bean Teepee
Step 1: Forage Your Poles
Head into the woods and look for straight saplings or fallen branches that are around 1–2 inches thick and as tall as you’d like your teepee. I usually aim for at least 6 feet tall, since several inches will be pushed into soil. Make sure they’re strong but not so thick that they’re difficult to work with. Avoid rotting wood or limbs with lots of side branches. I find it helpful to just walk through the woods or along the woodland edge with a sturdy pair of loppers so I can cut saplings as I see them and gather a big bundle. Once you have a good group, lay them down on a flat area, such as your lawn or driveway, and prune off any side branches.
Step 2: Choose Your Spot
Pick a sunny spot in your garden or backyard. Beans need full sun to thrive—ideally 6–8 hours a day. Make sure the soil drains well and isn’t too compacted. You can also consider other vining plants, such as cucumber, winter squash, or evening primrose. Most vining plants are going to require full sun so pick an open area that receives good light much of the day.
Step 3: Build the Frame
- Form a circle with your poles, spacing them evenly (about 2–3 feet apart).
- Tie the tops of the poles together. Gather all the tops and use twine to lash them tightly about 6–12 inches from the top. Don’t worry if it feels awkward—just make sure it’s snug and stable.
- Next is anchoring the poles. Push the bottoms of the poles a few inches into the soil. If the ground is hard, dig small holes or use a mallet to gently tap them into place.
- Finally, add cross-supports if desired. You can tie thinner sticks or lengths of twine horizontally around the teepee, about halfway up, to give the beans more climbing options. I didn’t do this for my green beans this year, but I have in the past. This can be especially helpful with vining plants that have heavier crops, such as winter squash or melon.
Step 4: Plant Your Beans
Plant 2–3 bean seeds at the base of each pole, about 1 inch deep. Water them well and keep the soil moist until they sprout. Once they take off, they’ll begin twining naturally around the poles and each other. With other vining plants, such as cucumber or winter squash, you may need to redirect the vines every 4-5 days to encourage them to wrap around the nearest sapling. They will certainly grow upright with a little encouragement!
Step 5: Watch It Grow
In just a few weeks, your teepee will transform into a lush, green tower. As the beans climb, they’ll add a nice vertical accent to your garden and allow for easy harvesting. They’ll also create a shady kid-size hideout, perfect for hot summer afternoons!
Bonus Tips:
- Add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep weeds down.
- Consider planting flowers like nasturtiums or marigolds around the edge to attract pollinators and repel pests.
- Don’t forget to harvest! Pick beans regularly to encourage more growth.
- Try growing other vining plants on a teepee, such as squash, cucumbers or morning glory flowers.
Final Thoughts
A bean teepee is more than just a garden structure—it’s a beautiful element to add to your garden and a creative project that is budget friendly and relatively easy to complete. By sourcing your materials from the woods, you not only save money but also deepen your appreciation for what nature provides. Whether you’re gardening solo, with kids, or just craving a simple, meaningful outdoor project, building a bean teepee is a great addition to any garden.
Happy foraging, building, and growing!
