Grape Trellis Considerations

Grapes are a fruit which can be grown in a relatively small amount of space, given that grapevines grow vertically rather than horizontally. With a grape trellis, a surprisingly large amount of grapes can be grown in the average backyard – almost as efficiently as a full-fledged vineyard can on a hundred or more acres of land!

Grape vines cannot support their own weight and, therefore, require the support of a grape trellis to grow properly. You can choose from grape trellises which are no frills and functional or very ornate. There are trellises available in just about any shape or size you can think of, as well as made from any material you like – aluminum, PVC, treated wood, stainless steel and iron. You can either buy a grape trellis or make one yourself with relative ease. You’ll need about eight feet by eight feet for each vine – while they grow vertically, these are larger plants.

Before even planting your vines, you’ll want your grape trellis ready. In warmer climes, a taller grape trellis is generally called for; while a shorter trellis gives your vines better odds of survival in winter. A short trellis will need 3’ tall posts, while a larger one s typically around eight feet tall.

Decide on where exactly you want your vines to grow before digging holes for your grape trellis. Your posts should go about two feet into the ground to ensure stability – since it won’t usually be until the third year after planting that you begin to be able to harvest grapes, you’ll want to make sure that your grape trellis is a structure which will last. You can give extra stability to your posts by using catch wires which are anchored to the ground or to another, shorter post. You’ll want to set your posts about 8’ apart and run a few rows of galvanized steel wire between the two posts, with the first being around 3” above ground and the last being about 3’ from the top of the posts.

Buying a grape trellis is something which many beginning viticulturists choose to do, since this makes the setup process a much easier one. This costs a little more, but can save a significant amount of time compared to building your own grape trellis. You’ll most likely need to train your vines along the wires of your grape trellis – make sure to use string or strips of cloth to secure the vine to the trellis, since using wire can damage your young shoots.