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Posted: Mar/02/2009 10:54 AM PST
Hi everyone, A neighbor of mine has a different idea on growing grapes. Instead of maximizing vertical space (meaning, a grapevine) he has made a sort of primitive structure that the grape plants cover and drape over. It's high enough (chest height?) that you can still get over the top of and harvest the fruit with a small ladder. I'm thinking of recreating this structure because I'm trying to create more interest in the garden, plus, cover as much lawn space as possible and get the most greenery I can. My question is, does anyone have anything like this in their garden? How did you do it? The top portion of this structure is pretty rough. They could have at least turned the 2x4's on the side for more strength... Also, maybe add some lattice around 3 out of 4 of the sides? Any thoughts are appreciated! Thanks everyone! Attachments:   |
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Posted: Mar/02/2009 11:00 AM PST
I have seen some much like what you have pictured. Only the ones were built a little stronger. With the 2x6's on edge. One I recently saw had a metal cow panel on the top. I think I recall my grandfather had one but I cannot remember exactly how it was built. |
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Posted: Mar/02/2009 11:33 AM PST
That's how we grew our grape vine! Best way to do it! 
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Posted: Mar/02/2009 11:41 AM PST
after looking at your pics. again I think the structure is too small for two even one vine. Also it's not long enough. Ours was small so I had to always trim the end of the vine (tips) to fit the structure because the vine used to reach the ground from the other side. Also ours used to grow over the roof near the vine's support structure. |
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Posted: Mar/02/2009 12:21 PM PST
I agree, pyoung, this version needs an upgrade in the strength department. I was thinking of putting the 2x4's (or 2x6's) on their edge, but I still think there is some more structural work that could be beefed up. Brackets in the corners, perhaps? Rashell, after looking at it also I think that' you may be right. There isn't enough real estate on the structure to support two vines. So, yours was longer, more like a rectangle? This is all good to know as I want mine to be as solid and encouraging as much production as possible. Keep the info coming, guys, plus pix are helpful is anyone has some! |
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Posted: Mar/02/2009 12:40 PM PST
Not sure what mine looks like lately but I'll try to go to my other empty home  this week to take pictures. I usually dont go by there 'cause I don't want to see the plants I left behind! LOLAnyway, you really need something to support the main (strongest) part of the vine which you will not cut/trim. The new growth is usually not too heavy. I think you should read up on the type of grapes you want and build the structure long enough and wide enough for the W x L of the grape vine. Structure should be a bit taller than you and lattice (or something similar) on top 'cause the grapes will grow down through the lattice holes. I say tall enough so you will be able to pick 'em from under the lattice. Edit: I post older pictures sometime today but If you want to see them right away, I think I uploaded some in my 2001-2008 album in my Profile. |
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Posted: Mar/02/2009 3:53 PM PST
See how tiny ours is?  You can probably see in the pic. how the one main woody part of the vine is the heaviest (center of support). It's the one we chose to keep (not trim back) from the start 'cause it looked the healthiest. I found one pic. in my album. The last two pic are from the post in the fruit section of the forum where I talked about this vine before. I know I have a better picture of the structure only I'm not sure where I filed it. Once I find it, I'll post it here. What hubby built will probably break in about a couple years. The only reason why it hasn't so far is 'cause the two roof tops are holding it. Attachments:    |
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Posted: Mar/03/2009 7:56 AM PST
Dudes!!! Visit a winery and see how they support the vines.Then apply the concept to you own structure. Think that would work? |
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Posted: Mar/03/2009 11:22 AM PST
I want one. So that is another project for me to try to do. 
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Posted: Mar/03/2009 12:17 PM PST
Rashell - Good stuff. I see your points and yeah, you might be right on at least part of it breaking after some time. The lattice up above looks a bit stressed. That's another area of improvement I want to make. I don't want to replace stuff after a few years. Well, maybe after 5-10 years but, not 2-3. grannylee - Wineries are a plenty in my area of the country but they are growing for hillsides and maximum production. The technique of the current topic is actually maximizing real estate. Instead of growing vertically (like wineries) this is horizontal. So, visiting wineries would give a great example of many different kinds of vine/trellis/vertical growing ideas, they won't have anything even close to the 'structure' style, which is what I'm going for. |
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