Or are you growing grapes on a pergola just for decorating the pergola and not interested in the grapes?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWhen you are growing grapes on a pergola for decorative purpose only, then choose a variety that will produce no grape – ask your nursery for decorative grapes and not fruit producing grapes.<\/p>\n
Constructing a pergola can be a challenge to many, but I think with the right plans, the right equipment and some spare time, anyone who can drill a hole, use a hammer and circle saw can construct one.\u00a0 This could even be a family project to spend some quality time with the boys (or girls – yes they can help as well!).<\/p>\n
Start by planning the project beforehand.\u00a0 Decide on where you will erect the pergola and what shape and size it will be.\u00a0 There are free plans available on the internet, but most of the time they are either incomplete, poor quality or very difficult to follow.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Growing Grapes On A Pergola – Planting The Grape Vines<\/h3>\n
Let’s get back to growing grapes on a pergola, shall we?<\/p>\n
When you have constructed the pergola, it’s time to plant the grape vines and start growing grapes on a pergola!<\/p>\n
The question remains; what size pergola and how many grape vines to plant?\u00a0 How vigorous a grape vine grows, depends on many external factors like variety, soil, climate, fertilizer, etc.\u00a0 For me to give you the exact number of vines per squire feet of canopy is not that easy!<\/p>\n
What I can tell you is that, when growing grapes on a pergola, an average vigor variety like Concord, will easily cover an area of round about 32 squire feet arbor space.\u00a0 Depending how large the pergola is, keep this in mind because planting too many grape vines on a smallish pergola, will make summer treatments and pruning much harder!\u00a0 Although it will take more time to cover the pergola, I recommend you start with one or two vines for every 64 squire feet – you can always plant more in the future!<\/p>\n
After planting the grape vines, you need to train the grape vine to reach the top of the pergola.\u00a0 When I’m growing grapes on a pergola or on any flat surface, I prefer to use only one training shoot, because this will ensure your grape vine reach the top of the pergola in no time.\u00a0 When you have achieved this, you will then train the grape vine along the width or the length of the canopy – depending on how many grape vines you plant and where you will plant them.<\/p>\n
Important<\/strong>: Remember that when growing grapes on a pergola, you will need to construct a sturdy pergola that will withstand strong winds, snow, rain and the increasing weight of a grape crop.\u00a0 30 to 50 Bunches of grapes can get quite heavy!<\/p>\n3.\u00a0 Growing Grapes On A Pergola – Training The Grape Vine<\/h3>\n
Your goal during the first year of growing grapes on a pergola is to reach the canopy as soon as possible.\u00a0 You will probably not cover the the surface of the pergola during the first year, but if you train the grape vine the correct year, you will be able to do that in the second year of growing grapes on a pergola.<\/p>\n
I made this video for the members of The Complete Grape Growing System, but decided to upload it to a private YouTube channel for you to see – I’ve made a similar video a couple of years ago, and was actually one of the first YouTube videos I made – since then it has been viewed more than 45 000 times – amazing!<\/p>\n
Anyway, I think you will get the bigger picture of what to do when you will be growing grapes on a pergola.<\/p>\n