OT: Any grape growers here? Need some advice ...

[temery]

I posted a related topic a year or two ago, but can't find it.

Here's my problem: I planted grape vines a few years ago, and they've grown fine. Initially I had the vines trellised along a wood post fence. This got knocked down by the tornado.

Last year I pounded in 3/4 " galvanized pipe. I first pounded in 1/2 " pipe - 10' pipe, 5' is in the ground, 5' above ground. The 3/4" pipe was place over the 1/2" pipe, 3' into the ground, 7' above.

I strung 14 gauge wire between each pipe at 3 1/2 feet, and at the top (7'). The pipes are 10' apart.

My concern is this - is this trellis system going to support the weight of the vines over time?

I am considering 4x4x12' pressure treated posts buried 4' and using 12 gauge wire. I'd rather not have to do it, if the galvanized pipes are adaquate. I also have a concern with using pressure treated wood - will it 'poison' the grapes? (I am told newer pressure treated wood is safe)


Any thought?

 

[Bryan Lord]

Gotta love the off season

 

[temery]

Gotta love the off season

I knew when I posted, someone would wine.

(work on it)

 

[intlzncster]

I knew when I posted, someone would wine.

oof. That one was bad.

 

[Deepster]

I don't grow grapes but I won't use pressure treated wood for my vegetable beds, for whatever that's worth.

 

[Robertelamin]

I don't grow grapes but I won't use pressure treated wood for my vegetable beds, for whatever that's worth.

I don't think you have to worry about that anymore, the main concern was arsenic but that was banned in 12/31/2003, I guess if you have pressure treated wood prior to 2003 you shouldn't use it but anything after should be fine.

 

[gtcam]

when lightning strikes I like the pt wood- no problem with tainting food these days

 

[Strummer]

I strung 14 gauge wire between each pipe at 3 1/2 feet, and at the top (7'). The pipes are 10' apart.

The pipes should be fine. They may pull in/lean toward each other, but they'll take the weight, 14 gauge is fine until it rots. If it's stainless, you should be good. If other, then you'll have to keep an eye on it.
If you want to add stability, you could run pipe between the two tops (weld, use a union, or turn vertical pipe in place with large monkey wrench for final connection.

 

[Devland]

oof. That one was bad.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

 

[RedSoloCup]

Tom, you could also extend the cables past the posts and anchor them into the ground, like you will see done with power poles.

Also, those support lines will stretch a bit and sag over time, you may want to allow for a way to tighten them.

Finally, are you all set with carboys and barrels?

 

[BlueMAB]

I don't grow them, but every winery I've been to anchors the end posts at an angle away from the vines because of the weight. They look like this...

(Post - Vines - Post) \ ---------- /

Hope that helps.

 

[FairView]

My grandfather's grape barber, as we called it, was made of tree limbs that were buried in the ground and never seemed to rot. It was a fragrant, shady area to hide in the summer. the top was other pieces of trees and wire. Next to the main structure, he had a series sturdy old trees that were cut down and used as posts that he ran wire between. Both structures stood for years and years. I know, seems impossible, but it did. It was the place where I learned not to fear bees. We co-existed and neither bothered the other.