Everybody knows you need a trellis if you want a good grape harvest. I didn’t go out of my way to buy a lot of materials and make a fancy wooden trellis, but I can show you an easy DIY grape trellis that requires very little skill to make.
I’ve used this setup at my old place and had a pretty good harvest of grapes. Today, I want to show you how to make it and hopefully give you some ideas of your own.
Why You Need a Trellis
Grapes are large vining plants that need some support to attach to. If they don’t have a solid support structure they will just sprawl along the ground which can cause a few problems like:
- Less vigorous growth.
- Grapes may rot on ground.
- More susceptible to disease.
- Rats will eat the grapes.
By giving the grapes a solid structure to grow on we can improve airflow to reduce disease, increase light through the canopy improving growth, and keep the fruit well off the ground to avoid the risk of rotting or rats.
How High Should a Grape Trellis Be?
The height of a grape trellis depends on the variety of grapes you’re growing, as different types can reach different sizes. However, grapes can generally grow quite large, up to 4 metres (13 ft) tall and wide.
- If you’re growing grapes on an arbour for shade, make sure the trellis is taller than your head, as grapes will drape down from above.
- For a better harvest, a taller, longer trellis provides more room for growth, which means more fruit.
- Keep the trellis within arm’s reach so you don’t need a ladder for harvesting.
Grape Trellis Location
Grapes love full sun and can take all they can get, so make sure your trellis is positioned to give them plenty of light. The more sunlight they get, the more fruit you’ll get in return.
Homemade Backyard Grape Trellis: Step-by-Step
I wanted to make a backyard grape trellis that would give me the most grapes possible but was also easy for me to put together. I’m not that good at DIY and though I am improving, I wanted it to be simple enough to build without any cementing or woodwork needed.
I chose to build it slightly off the fence because I wanted a little better airflow.
Materials Needed
I used tools and materials that were all laying around from other projects including:
- 5 Star pickets (T posts)
- Wire (2.50mm)
- Hammer
- Wire cutters
Trellis Dimensions
The trellis I made is about 3.5 meters (11.5 ft) wide and 1.5 meters (5 ft) tall. If I had taller poles, I’d have made it around 2 meters (6.5 ft), but these were the tallest ones I had. With these dimensions, the grapes have room to grow out, and I can easily pick the fruit.
Step 1. Set Up the Star Pickets
I started by putting in three star pickets to form the middle and ends of my trellis. To stop the poles from being pulled over when under tension from the wire, I used star pickets at the corners at 90-degree angles. This gave the structure a solid foundation.
The braces are already wedged into place and are not moving but I decided to tie them to the post with wire for extra stability.
Step 2: Attach the Wires
I used some wire I had lying around to create the horizontal runs for the lateral growth. Simply tie the wire to one end, run it through the middle, and then secure it at the other end.
I left about 15 cm (6 inches) between each horizontal wire to ensure good airflow while still providing enough space for the vines to grow.
The wire wasn’t pulled super tight, but it’s strong enough to get the job done. I find that the grape vines will harden along the wire and provide extra support, so it won’t sag over time.
If you want a tighter setup, you could use a wire tensioner at each connection to keep the wire nice and taut.
Note: Depending on the height of your trellis, you could add more horizontal runs.
The Finished Grape Trellis
This is a very simple but effective trellis system anybody can put together very quickly and cheaply. It is modular and can be made as tall or as long as you want.
Grape Trellis Ideas
You can get creative with trellis ideas for grapevines. A lot of structures—from wood to PVC pipes, cattle panels, and wires—can be used to make a trellis.
Grape Trellis Arbour
A classic way to use grapes is growing them on an arbor to provide shade over a patio. In the summer, the grapes will give you that much-needed shade, and in the winter, they’ll lose their leaves, allowing the light to come back in. If you already have an existing arbour, this is the perfect opportunity to grow some grapes.
You can also grow grapes over an arch or something smaller in the garden, but keep in mind that grapevines have the potential to grow quite large.
Vertical Fence Trellis
If you are shorter on space in your yard, growing along a fence or wall can be an efficient option. You can attach a wire or other trellis system directly to your fence or build one just off it.
Conclusion
Building a solid trellis is key to growing grapes successfully, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By thinking creatively, you’ll probably find a lot of materials around you that can work. Or, if you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective option, try out my trellis design and see how it works for you.
