Grape Trellis Usage & Guidelines

In order to manage your grapevines you will need to make a grape trellis. The grapes grow so well if attached to one. Wild grape vines naturally crawl up trees and fences. Because of this grapes can be grown by people that have little space. You can grow them in your backyard or on your patio. They can also as you know be grown in large fields with hundreds of acres of land.

Vines grow thick and heavy and are not strong enough to support themselves, so the answer to that dilemma is to make a grape trellis to give them the support that they need. Each grape grower will set up their trellis in there own special way, so each will appear differently but do the same job. They can be very decorative or just functional. You can use all kinds of different materials from; PVC pipe, aluminum, pre treated wood or even iron. It will be built to suit the grower so will be in various shapes and sizes. You can purchase them pre made or can easily make one from scratch. Vines need about an eight foot square to grow well.

It is best to make a grape trellis and get it set up before you plant. Depending on where you live will be how high the trellis needs to be. If you live in a colder climate then the trellis may be about three feet high, these plants will have a better survival rate for the winter. In hotter climates you can use a trellis up to eight feet tall.

Of course before setting up your grape garden you should think well about where the plants are going to go. Since the plant is going to be large and permanent and will take time to grow it is advised to make a grape trellis that you will set the poles into the ground about two feet and to use cement to anchor them. If you choose not to do that you can use wire to anchor the trellis up. The posts should be set into the ground 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.

If you decide to purchase a pre made trellis for your grapevines just remember it will cost more money and is used mostly for smaller crops. You should make sure to have worked out a good plan and have precise measurements for your needs, so you buy the right trellis.

When your vine is planted and it begins to grow it will grow up along the two main trellis wires with some coaxing and training on your part. You should use string or cloth to tie the vine to the wires. Using more wire to tie the shoot in place can sometimes damage the shoot.

So now you know how to make a grape trellis and are ready to get growing. Just remember time and patience as it takes both to grow a productive crop.