If you have ever considered growing grapes then you would likely already know how important a grape trellis will be to the overall process. Having a well constructed trellis ensures that all your growing grapes will be exposed to sufficient amounts of sunshine. It is not difficult to build a grape trellis, and should only require a couple hours to finish. You do not need to be a carpenter to fulfil this task especially if you are utilizing a 2-wire system. This method is best combined with cordon trained grapes that are cultivated at an angle to help support the growing stem. This system is assembled with a set of wires that are five feet in height and and another set of wires which measure approximately a foot individually. This will eventually allow the growing vines to entangle the uppermost wires for full support. When utilizing your grape trellis you will need to periodically tie the shoots to safeguard them properly.
Required Materials
10-12 gauge wire the best option being high tensile stainless steel. You should be able to locate this at most hardware stores, it will be sold in rolls and its price will be determined by the weight of the roll you purchase. Utilizing the tensile stainless steel wire will reduce the time you will expend rewiring or adjusting the wires on your trellis as time passes.
Lumber or metal to create posts of varying sizes. The heavier posts will be utilized for base support while the lighter posts will be designated for housing large portions of the vines. The larger posts need to be wooden and the lighter ones may be made up of either metal or wood. An adequate size to use for your heavier posts is about 3 inches in diameter. This will allow you to run the rows of the trellis for an estimated 280 feet if you plan to go over this distance then the post will need to be thicker with a 6 inch diameter.
Cement may be used to allow the posts to stand up more securely in the ground.
Required Tools
Drill
Shovel/Spade
Nails/Screws
Power Saw
Set Square
Level
Hammer
.
Instructions
1.First you should install your posts. If the area where you will be erecting the post is windy then you will need to dig the slots for your posts at a distance of no greater than 15 to 20 feet apart. The closer the larger posts the smaller the possibility for lagging to occur in the wires due to shifts triggered by the wind. The holes should be an estimated 2 feet deep if the soil is firm, however, for soil that is softer or if the holes will be placed in areas that are sandy, dig a deeper hole using your shovel or spade to make certain the posts will be left securely in place. Use cement if you would like to increase the structural stability of your posts. Combine the cement with water and pour it into the individual holes and fill to about half the depth of each
2.You will need to create your smaller posts from the lighter pieces of lumber that you have. Cut them using a saw or power saw. For increased accuracy you may prefer to measure them properly with a set square. When these pieces are cut you can now fix them to the bigger posts using a hammer and a few nails to put them in the most suitable areas. You caninstall them based on your own design or any other you would like to use.
3.Finally you will have to put up wires for the grape vines to climb on. Drill holes into each posts, both the larger and smaller posts when this is done you may install your wire. You may have to anchor your wires so that they can support the vines. When you are installing the wires make certain that they are taut but not too tight so that they are elongated to the point of nearly breaking. If you are installing an anchor or two be certain to place it in a hole of about 2-3 feet in depth and then make a loop at the top of it where the wire may be drawn through. You may also consider installing your wire by hammering a couple nails at key points and then wrapping the wire around them at all points.
4.Your trellis is ready for your grapes.
Tips and Warnings
Different types of grapes will need different methods of care and maintenance. Therefore it is important that you do the proper research before choosing which type of grape you will grow.
Make sure that any treatments you utilize on your posts will not seep into the soil and lower the quality of your grapes. Choose protective coatings that are not highly toxic in the final stages of finishing your grape trellis, if your lumber is not treated or you would like to enhance the resistance the wood has against weathering.
Once the grape vines start to grow you may need to intervene in the process and get them to grow a bit differently to increase the absorption of sun rays.
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