I am a gardener and made my own privacy screen – using my vine pinching technique

A GARDENER shares his DIY project for an affordable privacy screen that keeps intruders out.

They explained that they had created the screen using climbing plants and that the plants allowed them to keep out curious intruders.

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Reddit user Stevegerber shared the home transformation tip in a post.

“This is a fun garden project I did this season that turned out really nicely,” they said.

They used two 2.5 by 1.2 metre livestock panels and supported them up with T-posts.

They added that standard livestock panels would work fine and are available at farm supply stores.

“[They] “We use a much thicker wire than the standard wire fencing that comes on a roll,” they explained.

“This means that an 8-foot section will remain upright as a trellis, even without the support posts extending all the way to the top.

“My setup probably won’t look as nice in the winter when the plants die. Now that I’ve tried the idea for a season, I might make a nicer wooden frame and put the cattle panels in the frame. That will look nicer.”

To hide the holes in the panels, they used leaves.

“I have three flowering annual vines growing over it: the cardinal flower, the rudbeckia vine and the cup and saucer vine,” they said.

The vines were not only beautiful to look at, but also attracted cheerful birds.

“The hummingbirds love to drink from the cardinal flowers and they have been very busy lately,” they said.

“If you zoom in really close to the top right corner, you might be able to see two blurry birds flying around. They’re very territorial and fighting over the flowers.”

They advised homeowners who are eager to tackle DIY projects to get a head start.

“Start pinching the vines early and then continue pinching the ends of the vines throughout the season,” they said.

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A technique that promotes the growth and climbing of the vine.

“First pinch off about six inches and let the six or eight tendrils that are left start to climb,” they said.

“Pinch again about two feet apart and continue pinching each vine about two to three feet apart throughout the season.”

The trick, they explained, causes other tendrils to creep and grow as well.

“Every time you cut the tips, more tendrils will come out of the vine. The foliage will get thicker and you will also get more flowers,” the researchers said.

“Most vines branch from the lower nodes and become bushier when the ends of the vines are terminated. I have found that this is not necessary with the black-eyed Susan vine, which seems to branch and become bushy without help.”