subject: How to Plan Your Grape Trellis Construction [print this page] How to Plan Your Grape Trellis Construction
Picking your own juicy, succulent grapes and eating them or gathering a crop to produce your very own wine is very satisfying. Some people indulge in grape growing for fun while for many it is a full scale commercial venture. Whatever the situation the same basic rules apply, only the scale of the thing is different. One of the vitally important matters is supporting your grapes. A vine plant will not have the ability to self support therefore you have to provide it by erecting a grape trellis.
A grape trellis is simply a form of framework on which the growing grape shoots and branches are secured. Without support the vines will pretty much stay in an expanding and untidy heap on the ground. If that happens the vine will not flourish and produce adequate fruit plus it will be susceptible to all kinds of disease and pests.
The style of grape vine trellis you construct should be based an a number of factors. Those factors are how many vines plants you will grow, a few or an entire vineyard. The variety of grapes you pick can also determine how you will grow them; this of course should be suitable for conditions and weather in your area. Another matter to consider is the landscape where your vines will grow, such as sun and wind direction. When planning your trellis construction bear these points in mind because you can end up wasting time, money and overbuilding something that need only be quite a simple construction.
The style of construction again comes down to things like, one or two vines can easily be planted and grown over an decorative arbor. For a bigger venture of many dozens to many hundreds of vine plants is more of a commercial venture in which case a dedicated grape trellis system should be installed. This can be done either as a do-it-yourself project providing you have the suitable skills or a professional company can be brought in.
The materials used are many and varied but many users opt for simply styles involving stout timber posts which are normally treated against rot. Galvanised wire guides are stretched and pinned at several levels up the posts to allow for future height growth of the vines. As the vine canes grow they are fastened along the wires. In successive years as the vines gets taller selected shoots are encouraged along higher levels of wires to eventually create a fan shape for each vine. This style of trellising allows for maximum sunlight, air circulation, ease of pruning and crop picking and is very popular among growers.
As with any venture just jumping in without thinking can see costly mistakes being made. A little research can pay dividends if you are new to grape growing and planning your grape trellis system is no exception. Opinions will vary and some growers insist vines should be planted and the trellis built around them as and when required for support. Others insist the trellis must be in place first then the grape vines planted after. Experience tends to dictate how things are done in time but at first it is the planning that is important.
