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How To Build A Grape Trellis

By: Barbara

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If you have ever thought about growing grapes then you would likely already realize how vital a grape trellis will be to the overall process. Using a well built trellis ensures that all your developing grapes will get sufficient amounts of sunshine. It is not difficult to construct your own trellis, and will 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 best combined with cordon trained grapes that are cultivated at an angle to give support to the growing stem. This system is set up 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 entangle the uppermost wires for full support. When utilizing your grape trellis you will need to occasionally tie the shoots to safeguard them properly.

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 cost will be determined by 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 progresses.

Lumber or metal to create posts of varying sizes. The heavier posts will be used for base support while the lighter posts will be designated for housing the bulk of the vines. The larger posts should be wooden and the lighter ones can be made up of either metal or wood. A good size to use for your heavier posts is about 3 inches in diameter. This will allow you to run the rows of the trellis for about 280 feet if you plan to go beyond this distance then the post will need to be thicker with a 6 inch diameter.

Cement can be utilized to allow the posts to be erected more securely in the ground.

Required Tools

Drill
Shovel/Spade
Nails/Screws
Power Saw
Set Square
Level
Hammer

Instructions

1.First you need to erect your posts. If the area where you will be putting up the post is windy then you will need to dig the slots for your posts at a distance of no greater than 15 to 20 feet apart. The closer the larger posts the lower the chance for lagging to manifest in the wires as a result of shifts caused by the wind. The holes should be about 2 feet deep if the soil is resilient, 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 securely in place. Use cement if you want to re-enforce your posts. Mix the cement with water and pour it into the individual holes and fill to about half the depth of each
2.You will need to create your smaller posts from the lighter pieces of wood that you have. Cut them with a saw or power saw. For greater accuracy you may wish to measure them properly with a set square. When these pieces are cut you can now fix them to the larger posts using a hammer and a few nails to put them in the most suitable spaces. You caninstall them based on your own design or any other you wish to use.

3.Lastly you will have to put up wires for the grape vines to climb on. Drill holes into each posts, both the larger and smaller posts when this is done you can install your wire. You may have to anchor your wires so that they can 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 create a loop at the top of it where the wire may be drawn through. You may also think about 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 types of grapes will require different methods of care and maintenance. Hence it is important that you do the proper research before deciding which kind of grape you will grow.

Make sure that any treatments you use on your posts will not get into the soil and lower the quality of your grapes. Opt for protective coatings that are not highly toxic in the last stages of completing your grape trellis, if your lumber is not treated or you would like to increase the resistance the wood has against the elements.

Once the grape vines begin to grow you may have to intervene in the process and prompt them to grow a bit differently to maximize the absorption of sunlight.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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