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If you have ever thought about growing grapes then you should possibly already realize how important a grape trellis will be to the overall process. Using a well built trellis ensures that all your developing grapes will be exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight. It is not difficult to build a grape trellis, and should only require a few hours to finish. You do not have to be a professional to carry out this task especially if you are using a 2-wire system. This method is more advantageous when used with cordon trained grapes that are grown at an angle to give support to the growing stem. This system is assembled with a set of wires that are five feet in height and a second set of wires which measure approximately a foot individually. This will eventually allow the growing vines to entwine the top wires for full support. When utilizing your grape trellis you will have to periodically tie the shoots to safeguard them effectively.

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 locate 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 expend rewiring or adjusting the wires on your trellis as time passes.

Lumber or metal to construct posts of different sizes. The heavier posts will be utilized for structural support while the lighter posts will be responsible 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 allow you to run the rows of the trellis for about 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 firmly in the ground.

Required Tools

Drill

Shovel/Spade

Nails/Screws

Power Saw

Set Square

Level

Hammer

.

Instructions

1.First you should erect your posts. If the area where you will be erecting the post is windy then you may need to dig the spaces for your posts at a distance of no more than 15 to 20 feet apart. The closer the larger posts the smaller the possibility for lagging to manifest in the wires due to shifts caused by the wind. The holes should be an estimated 2 feet deep if the soil is firm, however, for soil that is not firm or if the holes will be placed in areas that are sandy, dig a deeper hole using your shovel or spade to ensure 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 the individual holes and fill half way

2.You will have to put up your smaller posts from the lighter pieces of lumber 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 may now attach them to the larger posts using a hammer and a few nails to put them in the desired 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 grow on. Drill holes into each posts, both the larger and smaller posts when this is done you may 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 ensure that they are taut but not too tight so that they are stretched to the point of nearly breaking. If you are installing an anchor or two be sure to put 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 variety of grapes will require contrasting methods of care and maintenance. Hence 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 affect the quality of your grapes. Opt for protective coatings that are not very 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.

When the grape vines begin to grow you may need to intervene in the process and prompt them to grow slightly differently to increase the intake of sun rays.