| A grape trellis is anything that is used to train your | | | | as they are not going anywhere that way and will |
| grape vines to grow on. In the wild, grapes will grow | | | | withstand all kinds of weather like wind, rain, storms |
| up fences and tress. If you plant near your home, | | | | and snow. |
| use the wall and some structure against it to allow | | | | Just make sure to have good planning and have |
| the grapes to grow on it. If you have fields of | | | | taken careful measurements as to where you would |
| grapes then construct grape trellis' in nice little rows. | | | | like your trellis to be to ensure that you buy a trellis |
| A grape trellis is simply a structure used as a support | | | | that is right for you. |
| system for grape vines. A trellis can be made of | | | | The best time to construct your grape trellis is during |
| most wood, or wrought iron, PVC, stainless steel and | | | | the first season. It will basically consist of one, two or |
| aluminum. Although some wine growers believe that a | | | | three tightly stretched wires secured to two firm |
| metal trellis gets too heated in the summer and | | | | posts. The posts will serve as wire supports and |
| sunlight that the metal heats up and pass that heat | | | | anchor points. The posts should be 8 feet tall and 2 |
| onto the plants and it is hard on them. In order to | | | | feed diameter. You should place them at least 2 feet |
| plant a grape vine, a trellis is a must, otherwise the | | | | into the ground and brace them with another post |
| vines will not be able to climb upward and get enough | | | | for support. For a large vineyard you should use |
| sunlight. | | | | galvanized wire as it won't harm the plants and it |
| Your trellis height depends on what you will want to | | | | lasts long. If you use soft wire once the vines grow, |
| do. You can use short or tall. The taller the trellis the | | | | that wire will need tightening more often as you |
| harder it is to prepare the vine for winter and to | | | | don't want your vines to droop. Make the first wire |
| prune without a ladder. Tall trellises are normally used | | | | run 3 inches above the ground and the second one |
| in warm climates and the shorter ones where it is | | | | should run along the heads of the trellis posts. Your |
| colder as it will withstands the cold better that way. | | | | grape vines are going to climb on these wires. |
| Short trellises are usually about three feet tall and the | | | | There are all kinds of new gadgets on the market |
| tall ones can go up to 8 feet high. | | | | that you can use on your end posts to tighten the |
| Your grape plants are not an overnight sensation. | | | | wires but most home growers will use hard wire and |
| They will be around for years and you should | | | | wrap it about the post two or three times and |
| remember that they can take up to three years to | | | | secure the end onto itself. It holds well and you can |
| produce fruit. So make sure your trellises are deep | | | | untie it to tighten if needed. |
| and sturdy. Usually it is good to set them in cement | | | | |