Grape Trellis - What is it!
The best thing about growing grapes is that they grow on a vine, with the help of a trellis. Because of this, space is never a problem and people can grow either in a vineyard, or in their very own backyards.
The Trellis
Since vines are not strong enough to maintain their weight, the trellis provides them with a surface to hold on to. Trellises exist in various styles: from beautiful decorative trellises to more functional do-it-yourself- structures. The array of shapes and sizes also varies, where the grape trellis can be made out of iron, pretreated wood, PVC pipes, aluminum or stainless steel ” and they can be homemade or store-bought. Even though grapevines climb on a trellis and are suitable for growing in yards, you will still need a space of about 8 ft by 8 ft for one single vine.
Trellis Construction Rules
The trellis should always be built before the grapevine is planted. In general, a shorter trellis is more suitable to endure colder weathers, while higher trellises maximize sunlight exposure in warm climates. A short trellis will have posts of an average of 3 ft in height, while a large trellis usually has posts 8 ft tall.
Trellis Location
Determining where your trellis will be located must be planned before you begin placing the poles. When planting the posts, make sure they are a minimum of 2 ft into the ground, for optimum support. Many recommend cementing the post into the ground to ensure that it will stay in place, while others suggest securing the post with the use of catch wires that are anchored to the ground, or to a second, smaller pole. Trellis posts must be planted 8ft apart, with two rows of galvanized wire running between posts. One must run along the bottom of the poles ” at least 3 inches from the ground- and one must run along the top of the poles. You can staple them to the posts by using a staple gun.
Building The Trellis
Once you have mapped out the grapevines location, and had your trellis built you can begin digging the holes for its installment. Posts must be an average of 2 ft into the ground. You can either secure them in place using sand and cement, or you can tie them down to the ground using catch wires, Posts are set at a distance of 8ft apart, with two rows of galvanized steel running between the poles. One runs along the top of the posts, and one along the bottom, securing them together. You can use a staple gun to staple the wires in place.
When your grapevine begins to grow, it will climb along these two wires on the trellis. At the beginning, the vine will need your help to grow onto the right places ” an aspect that we will later discuss on my grape pruning section.
Pierre Duponte is a grape growing expert. He spends his time teaching others how to make fine wines. For more great tips on Grape Trellis Location & Setup and how to make wine visit http://www.grapegrowingwinemakingtips.com/.






































































































