Grape Vine Trellis – How To Get The Maximum Grape Harvest
The grape vine trellis is a vital part of your vineyard! One really good thing about grapes is that they grow on a vine and need a grape vine trellis in order to grow well. Because of this space is usually not an issue. A grape vine trellis can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the needs of the grape grower and it can be made out of a variety of materials including iron, pre-treated wood, stainless steel, PVC pipe, or aluminum. It can be purchased or a simple functional design can be fairly easily constructed by hand.
The grape vine trellis is a vital part of your vineyard! One really good thing about grapes is that they grow on a vine and need a grape vine trellis in order to grow well. Because of this space is usually not an issue.
A grape vine trellis can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the needs of the grape grower and it can be made out of a variety of materials including iron, pre-treated wood, stainless steel, PVC pipe, or aluminum. It can be purchased or a simple functional design can be fairly easily constructed by hand. Although grapevines can be grown in a yard, they are a fairly large plant. You will need a space of about eight feet by eight feet for one vine. Important: A grape vine trellis should be constructed before the vine is planted into the ground.
Normally, taller grape vine trellises are used in warmer climates. A trellis that is shorter has a better chance withstanding winter weather and makes it easier to prepare the grapevine for winter. Shorter trellises use posts that are about three feet high. Larger trellises require a post that is about eight feet high.
Planning where your grape vine trellis is going to be should be considered before you start digging holes to place the poles into. You have mapped out your sight place the first post about two feet into the ground. Taller eight foot posts will be sticking about six feet out of the ground. It is suggested to cement the post into the ground. It takes several years before you will see a crop of grapes so; your grape vine trellis is going to be a permanent fixture for some time. Posts can also be secured by using catch wires anchored to the ground or another much shorter post set in the ground next to your main post.
Posts are set into the ground at a distance of 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.
KEY CONSIDERATION: Remember that grapes benefit most from maximum sunlight … so make sure that you “align” your grape vine trellis network so the arc of the sun across the sky gives your vines maximum sunlight and does not “shade” one side of the vine and give more sunlight to the opposite side.
When your vine is planted and it begins to grow it will grow up along the two main trellis wires with some coaxing on your part. You can 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.
KEY CONSIDERATION: Remember that grapes benefit most from maximum sunlight … so make sure that you “align” your grape vine trellis network so the arc of the sun across the sky gives your vines maximum sunlight and does not “shade” one side of the vine and give more sunlight to the opposite side.
