April’s meeting was such a pleasant one. We were fortunate to have Chad Conway, Knott County Extension Offices Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent lead participants through the Kentucky Vegetable Growing Guide. Every grower received a copy, and Chad offered helpful tips on how to use it effectively throughout the season. It’s such a great resource for both beginning and seasoned gardeners.

Along with the guidebooks, we handed out 65-foot pieces of Hortonova trellis netting. I know it may seem a little early to be thinking about bean trellising, but in my experience, having your trellis in place BEFORE planting makes all the difference. I can’t count how many times I’ve put off setting up my trellis and ended up with a tangled mess of vines or even a lost crop. Lesson learned.

I’ll be honest, I’m typically hesitant when it comes to using plastic products in the garden. I try to make choices that are sustainable and kind to the land. But Hortonova has really won me over. It’s incredibly durable, and if cared for properly, it can be reused for many years. I’ve got some that’s been in rotation for five seasons and still going strong. That kind of longevity makes it a more responsible choice in my book.

Here at the Hindman Settlement School Grow Site, we’ve really grown fond of Hortonova. It’s become our go-to, all-in-one trellis system. You can use it for climbing peas and beans, of course, but it’s also great when you run two rows side by side for tomatoes and peppers. It attaches easily to T-posts with zip ties, no fancy tools needed, and best of all, one person can put it up alone. That makes it an accessible option for many of our growers.

I’ve seen Hortonova used in some creative ways too! Slanted for cucumbers to climb, draped over metal hoops to train gourds, or even laid horizontally to support cut flowers. Some growers have even used it as a simple fence around their garden beds. It’s versatile, sturdy, and easy to work with.

If you’re thinking about investing in a trellis system this season, I can’t recommend Hortonova enough. It’s an early step that can save you time, crops, and headaches down the line, and it’s one more way we can all work a little smarter in our gardens.