I have some grape vines started at the South side of my shed, and need to make a decision about what structure to build to support them. I apologize in advance for a long posting. My objectives are: 1) Fruit - although I don't need huge quantities, just for eating. 2) Not too elaborate or heavy looking structure 3) Reasonable maintenance of the grapevines I am confused, there are two options I am struggling between: 1) The commercial production seems to use a vertical cane, and horizontal wires for the fruiting canes. Looks easy, could branch vertically at 2' or 3' off the ground, trim the vines at the fascia (6'). Or split off two sets of vertical branches, say 2' and 4'. 2) However, most people have an overhead trellis structure, and the vines grow over the top, and even then, the vines seem to grow much more aggressively than the size of any such structure. Our shed is 6' to the fascia, 8' deep (not counting porch). There is 10' between the shed & the fence (see photo). Technically it is a sewer right of way, but as far as I'm concerned, that only means I can't have a concrete foundation, any other structure could be dismantled temporarily (even if production is lost one year) if necessary. My big compost bins (white) are in the corner. My feeling is toward (1), it is pretty, tidy, and doesn't enclose the space. However, is this unrealistic, and would require such extreme pruning of the vines that I will be frustrated to maintain this system? If (2) is more realistic, I'm okay with that, if anyone has any advice for a structure not too heavy looking (eg lots of use of wire instead of beams), I'd love to hear your ideas.
Hi, I have had experience with both methods and have always found the vertical support and wire method both simpler to install and maintain. Once you have your vines trained to your horizontal wires mid season pruning is actually very quick and easy. dalarry
