Ever wonder how you can grow grapes in your backyard? You might not have a lot of land or even the right climate, but you can still grow grapes by trellising them. This method not only gives you a crop, but it also provides shade and beauty in your garden.
Why Grow Grapes in the First Place?
Grapes are one of the oldest crops and have been a part of human history. They offer a lot of nutrition, as well as vitamins and minerals. Grapes are also great for making wines, jams, jellies, syrups, and juices. Growing grapes in your backyard is a great way to get fresh fruits or make homemade wine without going to the store.
Popular Grape Varieties You Can Try Growing in Your Backyard
Still trying to decide what grape plant to grow? Here are some popular varieties you can check out:
Concord Grapes
These are great for making jam, juice, and jelly. Many backyard grape gardeners also use these grapes for making homemade wines.
Thompson Seedless Grapes
These are sweet, seedless, and crunchy grapes that you can eat fresh or use in cooking.
Muscat Grapes
These sweet, aromatic, and flavorful grapes can be eaten fresh or used in baking and cooking.
Pinot Noir Grapes
These are the popular grapes used for making red wines.
Sweet Jubilee Grapes
These are seedless grapes with a sweet flavor you can use in salads or as snacks.
Valiant Grapes
These sweet, crisp, and juicy grapes can be eaten fresh or used in baking.
What Is a Trellis?
A trellis is a support structure for plants, typically vines or climbing plants. Trellises make it easier to maintain the grapevine and keep it from sprawling all over your garden. They are usually built with posts and horizontal or vertical wire mesh.
Are Trellis an Absolute Must-have When Growing Grapes?
Although grapes can certainly exist and thrive in the wild without trellising, they are natural climbers that will latch onto whatever is nearby. To ensure your grapevines don’t take over unruly areas of your garden or lot, provide them with a proper support system. By trellising grapes, you control their growth while encouraging healthier fruit production.
Grapes can also sprawl on the ground. However, they’re more prone to disease issues when left in this state and don’t produce as much fruit. Additionally, the fruits will be near ground-dwelling critters that can’t resist savoring their juicy flavor.
Other reasons why trellising is important:
- Easier harvesting of the fruits;
- Improved air circulation that helps reduce fungal growth
- Increase sun exposure;
- High fruit quality and improved yield.
What To Consider When Choosing Trellis for Your Grapes
There are different types of trellises that you can choose from. When selecting one, consider your garden’s layout, the size of your grapevines, the amount of maintenance you’re willing to commit, and the strength, longevity, and height of the trellis.
Your Garden’s Layout
You may opt for a free-standing structure if you have a lot of space. This can be mounted to the ground and will provide stability and support for your grapes as they grow. If you have limited space, a wall-mounted trellis might be your best option.
The Size of Your Grapevines
You’ll want to select a strong trellis to support your growing grapes. If you have small vines, you won’t need a very sturdy frame. However, if your grapevines are larger or more vigorous, you should opt for a heavier-duty trellis.
The Amount of Maintenance You’re Willing to Commit
Trellising does require some maintenance. You may need to regularly check your framework’s ties, wires, and other components. Additionally, you must periodically prune your grapevines to stay well-grown.
Strength of Trellis
No matter what type of structure you select for your garden, ensure that it’s robust and reliable. You must have a secure trellis system that can handle the weight when fully matured and bearing fruit! As the vines expand with age, they will become quite dense.
Longevity of Trellis
When selecting a trellis, get one that will last for many years. You want a structure that won’t need replacement every few seasons. Pay attention to the materials used in the frame and how it’s constructed for the best longevity.
Height of Trellis
Depending on your garden’s layout, it’s important to determine the height of your trellis. To maximize the amount of sunlight and airflow, a taller one might be better for your grapes. On the other hand, if you have limited space or want to reduce the amount of maintenance, a shorter structure might be ideal.
How Tall Should the Trellis Be?
The height of your trellis should depend on your garden’s layout, the size of your grapevines, and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit. Generally speaking, the taller the trellis is, the more sunlight and air circulation your grapes will receive. However, a shorter trellis might be more appropriate if you don’t have much space. The best thing to do is experiment and see what works best for your garden!
How to Trellis Grapes
If you’re looking to master the art of trellising grapes, it’s essential that you plan in advance. If not, you could easily harm the delicate stalks or unintentionally disturb their roots when repotting. Place the support structure before introducing your new grapevines.
While young plants may be too small to grab onto the structure independently, you can use ties or stakes for temporary assistance. Additionally, consider installing protective netting around new plants during training in the first year of growth.
Grapevine Trellis Ideas for Backyard Gardeners
Which trellis system should you choose? Here are some ideas for backyard gardeners:
Final Thoughts
When it comes to trellising grapes, there are a variety of options. The choices are plenty – from free-standing structures and wall-mounted trellises to DIY netting systems. With careful planning and a bit of hard work, you can easily trellis your grapevines and reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest! Before you start building your own trellis system, make sure to consider the factors aforementioned above.
