Do it Yourself - Build a Grape Trellis
If you have ever thought about growing grapes then you would possibly already realize how vital a grape trellis will be to the entire process.
Having a well constructed trellis ensures that all your developing grapes will be exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight.
It is not difficult to build your own trellis, and will only take you a few hours to finish.
You do not need to be a carpenter to carry out this task especially if you are utilizing a 2-wire system.
This approach is best combined with cordon trained grapes that are cultivated at an angle to give support to the growing stem.
This system is set up 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 then allow the growing vines to entwine the top wires for complete support.
When utilizing your grape trellis you may have to occasionally tie the shoots to safeguard them effectively.
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 price will be related to the weight of the roll you purchase.
Utilizing the tensile stainless steel wire will reduce the time you will spend rewiring or adjusting the wires on your trellis as time progresses.
Lumber or metal to create posts of different sizes.
The heavier posts will be used for structural support while the lighter posts will be designated for holding up large portions of the vines.
The larger posts need to be wooden and the lighter ones may be composed of either metal or wood.
An adequate 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 beyond this amount then the post will need to be thicker with a 6 inch diameter.
Cement may 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 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 chance 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 resilient, however, for soil that is not firm 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 want to increase the structural stability of your posts.
Combine the cement with water and pour it into each hole and fill half way 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 properly with a set square.
Once 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 spaces.
You canassemble them based on your own design or any other you would like to use.
3.
Lastly you will need to set up wires for the grape vines to climb on.
Drill holes into the individual posts, both the larger and smaller posts once this is finished you can install your wire.
You may need to anchor your wires so that they are able to hold up 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 almost 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 create a loop at the top of it where the wire may be drawn through.
You may also consider installing your wire by hammering a few nails at key points and then wrapping the wire around them at each point.
4.
Your trellis can now be used for your grapes.
Tips and Warnings Different types of grapes will require contrasting methods of care and maintenance.
Hence it is important that you do the necessary 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 wish to enhance the resistance the wood has against weathering.
Once the grape vines begin to grow you may need to intervene in the process and get them to grow slightly differently to maximize the absorption of sun rays.
Having a well constructed trellis ensures that all your developing grapes will be exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight.
It is not difficult to build your own trellis, and will only take you a few hours to finish.
You do not need to be a carpenter to carry out this task especially if you are utilizing a 2-wire system.
This approach is best combined with cordon trained grapes that are cultivated at an angle to give support to the growing stem.
This system is set up 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 then allow the growing vines to entwine the top wires for complete support.
When utilizing your grape trellis you may have to occasionally tie the shoots to safeguard them effectively.
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 price will be related to the weight of the roll you purchase.
Utilizing the tensile stainless steel wire will reduce the time you will spend rewiring or adjusting the wires on your trellis as time progresses.
Lumber or metal to create posts of different sizes.
The heavier posts will be used for structural support while the lighter posts will be designated for holding up large portions of the vines.
The larger posts need to be wooden and the lighter ones may be composed of either metal or wood.
An adequate 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 beyond this amount then the post will need to be thicker with a 6 inch diameter.
Cement may 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 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 chance 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 resilient, however, for soil that is not firm 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 want to increase the structural stability of your posts.
Combine the cement with water and pour it into each hole and fill half way 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 properly with a set square.
Once 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 spaces.
You canassemble them based on your own design or any other you would like to use.
3.
Lastly you will need to set up wires for the grape vines to climb on.
Drill holes into the individual posts, both the larger and smaller posts once this is finished you can install your wire.
You may need to anchor your wires so that they are able to hold up 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 almost 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 create a loop at the top of it where the wire may be drawn through.
You may also consider installing your wire by hammering a few nails at key points and then wrapping the wire around them at each point.
4.
Your trellis can now be used for your grapes.
Tips and Warnings Different types of grapes will require contrasting methods of care and maintenance.
Hence it is important that you do the necessary 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 wish to enhance the resistance the wood has against weathering.
Once the grape vines begin to grow you may need to intervene in the process and get them to grow slightly differently to maximize the absorption of sun rays.