Make a Wigwam

Good, robust Wigwams are a brilliant addition to any vegetable patch and are perfect for supporting a range of climbing crops, including beans and pumpkins.

To ensure that the structure doesn't blow away, you need the verticals of your wigwam to sink a good 15-20cm (6-8in) into the ground. lt should then stand at least 2m (6ft), or even better 2.1m (7ft), up in the air. Once any bean, sweet pea or hasturtium is growing at full tilt it will swamp anything smaller.

You can buy big wigwams from a good willow supplier, or you can make your own. You will need at least eight straight SthkS, such as hazel or silver birch, or bamboo canes, along with tarred string, Flexi-Ties or coated wire.

Draw a circle about 1m (40in) in diameter in the soil with a stick. Poke one of your uprights in, then another about 30cm (12in) away, then the next, and so on. You'll then have a circle of wooden uprights. Gather them up at the top and tie them together with thestring, Flexi-Tie or coated wire.

TIP Make sure the Wigwam is high enough for your purposes to make them easy to put on the roof of a car. most frames available at garden centres are far too small.

references: BBC 2011 gardeners book