Training Wheels: Bike wheel trellis with espalier apple tree

 by bekbek
FeaturedContest Winner
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Repurposed bike wheels reclaimed from a dump on Orcas Island, riveted together then buried a few inches in a newly terraced garden. Surrounded by rocks, framed by lavender and dwarf blueberries and some strawberry plants to help control erosion. Four varieties of apples on one espaliered trunk are lightly wired to the wheels to be trained to grow in a delicious semi-circular formation.

The bike wheel trellis (pic 1) is part of an ongoing effort to eliminate the expanses of grass in the yard of my new house and create an urban farm.

The garden with the brick path used to be a rectangle of grass that looked just like the right side of the yard, where the orange adirondack chairs are sitting. Grass torn up, straight line adjusted to a gentle curve, terrace level lowered a bit. Brick path built out of reclaimed bricks from a torn-down chimney. Stone stairs in the foreground built from reclaimed cinder blocks and stone slabs already on the property. Bird bath scored at an estate sale. (pic 2)

The garden is completely usable, with the exception of three specimen plants that provide depth and color. Nine kinds of berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, marionberry, tayberry, boysenberry, current, elderberry, huckleberry) maximize food productivity in the shadier part of the yard. (pic 3) Raised boxes behind the orange chairs are for vegetable production. Ground cover to control erosion on the upper part of the terrace is formed with runner-producing strawberries, four kinds of mint, lemon tyme, lime tyme, oregano, lemon balm, catnip (yay neighborhood kitties coming to visit), and stevia. The rest of the grass has its days numbered....


cart562 says: Jun 24, 2012. 8:10 PM
From Orcas? No way! I'm on San Juan ISland!
bwaller says: Jan 14, 2012. 8:35 PM
cute idea, i will prob do this :)
frogmama says: Jun 21, 2011. 8:39 PM
That is a beautiful trellis! If you were into yard decor, a vintage red bike with basket (with strawberries planted in it) would look great near it too :) I have a bit of an urban farm, myself - good luck with yours!
Pockette416 says: May 31, 2011. 6:41 AM
Going to scour the thrift stores, and used bike shop for old cheap or free bike rims, great idea!!! I have just the place for it too!! Ty!
Baritone Blues says: May 29, 2011. 1:35 AM
Very cool! This will look absolutely LOVELY with the country themed garden I am going with! 5 stars!
Uncle Kudzu says: May 27, 2011. 1:11 PM
Brilliant re-use of bike parts! I love this instructable!
FreeTibet says: May 27, 2011. 8:20 AM
Most excellent!
bajablue says: May 25, 2011. 8:35 PM
What a FUN, reCYCLING Idea. You're a budding genius... you get 5 Stars and my Vote!

I didn't enter this Contest, but I'm sure glad I can still vote!!!
dchristine says: May 24, 2011. 8:17 AM
this is just miraculous.
ChrysN says: May 22, 2011. 7:14 PM
Cool!
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