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If you have ever considered growing grapes then you would possibly already know how vital a grape trellis will be to the overall process. Having a well constructed trellis ensures that all your growing grapes will get adequate amounts of sunlight. It is not hard to build a grape trellis, and will only take you a couple hours to complete. You do not have to be a carpenter to fulfil this task especially if you are using a 2-wire system. This approach is best combined with cordon trained grapes that are grown at an angle to help support the growing stem. This system is assembled with some wires that are five feet in height and and another set of wires which measure approximately a foot each. This will eventually allow the growing vines to entwine the top wires for full support. When using your grape trellis you will have to periodically tie the shoots to secure them properly.

How To Build A Grape Trellis

Required Materials

10-12 gauge wire the best option being high tensile stainless steel. You will be able to find this at most hardware stores, it will be sold in rolls and its cost will be related to the weight of the roll you buy. Utilizing the tensile stainless steel wire will cut down on the time you will expend rewiring or adjusting the wires on your trellis as time progresses.

Lumber or metal to construct posts of different sizes. The heavier posts will be used for structural support while the lighter posts will be responsible for housing the bulk of the vines. The larger posts should be wooden and the lighter ones can be made up of either metal or wood. A good size to use for your heavier posts is approximately 3 inches in diameter. This will enable 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 can be utilized to allow the posts to stand up more firmly in the ground.

Required Tools

Drill

Shovel/Spade

Nails/Screws

Power Saw

Set Square

Level

Hammer

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Instructions

1.First you need to install your posts. If the area where you will be erecting the post is windy then you will need to dig the spaces for your posts at a distance of no more than 15 to 20 feet apart. The closer the bigger posts the smaller the possibility for lagging to occur in the wires as a result of shifts caused 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 with your shovel or spade to make certain the posts will be left firmly in place. Use cement if you would like to re-enforce your posts. Combine the cement with water and pour it into each hole and fill to about half the depth of each

2.You will have to put up your smaller posts from the lighter pieces of wood that you have. Cut them with a saw or power saw. For increased accuracy you may prefer to measure them carefully with a set square. Once these pieces are cut you can now attach them to the bigger posts using a hammer and a few nails to place them in the most suitable spaces. You mayinstall them based on your own design or any other you wish to use.

3.Lastly you will need to put up wires for the grape vines to climb on. Drill holes into the individual posts, both the larger and smaller posts once this is done you may install your wire. You may need to anchor your wires so that they can support the vines. When you are installing the wires ensure that they are taut but not too tight so that they are elongated to the point of almost breaking. If you are installing an anchor or two be certain to put it in a hole of about 2-3 feet in depth and then create a loop at the top of it where the wire may be drawn through. You may also think about installing your wire by hammering a couple nails at key points and then wrapping the wire around them at all points.

4.Your trellis can now be used for your grapes.

Tips and Warnings

Different variety of grapes will need different methods of care and maintenance. Hence it is essential that you do the proper research before choosing which type of grape you will grow.

Ensure that any treatments you use on your posts will not seep into the soil and lower the quality of your grapes. Opt for protective coatings that are not very toxic in the last stages of completing 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 intake of sun rays.