How to Setup a Grape Trellis
One thing that is really great about growing grapes is that you can grow them in a fairly small space. All you need to do is get a grape trellis. You can grow grapes in your backyard with only a small amount of space. All you need is a grapevine trellis.
You can purchase a grape trellis or create a simple functional design that can be fairly easily constructed by hand. Grapevines are a somewhat large plant but will still fit in your backyard comfortably. You will need a space of about eight feet by eight feet for one of your grape vines trellis.
The grapes trellis is for support of the vines that would otherwise not be able to support themselves. A grapevine trellis can take on different looks depending on the person who is growing the grapevine. A grapevine trellis is very decorative. You can get different kinds of grape trellis’s. They come in different shapes and sizes in order to suit your needs. There are also a variety of materials such as, iron, wood, stainless steel, PVS pipe, or aluminum. If you like to build things yourself then you can make your own grape trellis by hand. You will need to find a spot about eight feet by eight feet for one vine.
Before you plant your vine your trellis will need to be completed. Normally, taller trellises are used in warmer climates. A short grape trellis has a better chance withstanding winter weather because it is easier to prepare the grapevine for wintertime. A smaller grape trellis will be about three feet high. A larger grape trellis is about eight feet high.
You can get more detail about where to plant your grapevine in the How to Grow Grapes article found on the homepage. Once you have found your ideal location you will need to dig holes for the grape trellis poles. The first posts will need to be buried about two feet deep. The taller posts will be sticking out of the ground about six feet. To make your grape trellis solid you may want to consider cementing the poles into place. Since growing grapes is a long term commitment your grapevine trellis is probably going to be around a while. If you do not want to use cement you can secure them by using catch wires that are anchored into the ground. You can also use a shorter post by setting it in the ground next to your main post. Place your posts about eight feet apart. Two rows of galvanized steel wire need to be run between the posts. The first row runs along the bottom of the posts about three inches from the ground. The second wire should run along the top of the posts. Use a staple gun to staple the wires in place.
To get things moving along quick with your grapevine trellis you can purchase a grape trellis for your grapevine. You will need to spend a little more money but you have several options to choose from. Have all your measurement prepared before you go shopping for your trellis. That way you will get the right one the first time.
When your grapevine starts to grow you can add a little guidance on the direction of the vine. You and your grapevine are doing this together. You can use twine, string or a cloth to tie the vines to the wires on the grape trellis. Soon enough your vine will take on a beautiful shape and direction that you have participated in. Using more wire to tie the shoot in place can sometimes damage the shoot.
