Planting Grapes

• Start by planting your grapes in a proper site. Grapes require full sun, good drainage and protection from wind and cold temperatures. The ideal situation for grape growing is a south-facing slope, where they'll receive all of the above, in a region that can offer at least 180 days of frost-free weather. Mix half garden soil with half grit for good drainage, and add a couple handfuls of compost for nutrition. Plant grape vines in shallow holes 6 to 8 feet apart. If you're planting rows of grape vines, plant them at least 10 feet away from each other.
  
  

Building a Metal Grape Arbor

• Build your grape arbor directly behind your grape vines. Pound a 6- to 8-foot metal stake into the ground behind each grape vine, as closely as you can without disturbing the cane or roots of the grape vine. Leave at least 4 feet of stake above the soil surface for tying. Wrap a length of 8- to 11-gauge wire around the top of the first stake in the row, and progress down the row of stakes, securing the wire to each. Tie the wire off at the last stake. Repeat this process with one or two more wires, with each wire at least a foot under the last, and a foot above the ground. Use strips of material to tie the grape vines to the grape trellis at the main stems. The grape vines will naturally learn to grow along the wires of the trellis and will stay up off the ground.