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Weed 'em & Reap

Urban Farming. Healthy Living.

Building a Simple Grape Arbor

Published: February 16, 2016 | Last Updated: January 24, 2021 15 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.

wooden pole fence in backyard against house

I’m a simple gal.

I mean, here on the homestead we raise chickens for eggs and meat, goats for milk, and sheep for milk and meat. We have a large vegetable garden, pecan, pomelo, mango, banana, cherry, almond, apricot, peach, plum, fig, avocado, and loquat trees as well as a strawberry patch and blueberry and blackberry bushes. I also have plans to build a natural living pond/pool. But yeah, I’m pretty low maintenance.

Hear me out, ya’ll.

One thing we’re really good at over here is repurposing and using permaculture practices so that we can make everything easier on everyone.

It’s turned out pretty well because the time we spend maintaining our homestead is minimal. Once a day I take a 10 minute walk around the farm and check up on everything, and it’s only during certain seasons that we break out in project mode. 

Building a Simple Grape Arbor

When choosing the perfect location for grapes, you need to understand that grapes need two main things…

  1. Lots of sun
  2. Something to climb on

We knew that right in front of our southwest windows, there was a LOT of sun! Even the windows are starting to show damage because of all that sun. So we knew this would be a great spot for grapes, as they would love all that exposure. 

I wasn’t sure on the design so I drove around to neighborhoods that I remember had grape arbors and took pictures. This one was too simple and you can tell it’s starting to waver. 

grape arbor showing signs of wear
When looking for the perfect wood to build your grape arbor, you can purchase pre-made kits, build an arbor from a plan, or if you’re like us, you can search Pinterest for the perfect rustic grape arbor inspiration. 

I would have preferred this arbor to be more crooked, but the trunk and branches over time will create that rustic look by itself, so I’ll just have to be patient.

How to Build a simple Grape Arbor: Step by Step

Step 1) Mark your holes for the posts.

We decided to go with three post holes, just to make sure it would be sturdy enough over the years.

logs next to marked stake insertion holes

Step 2) Dig a hole and then have your husband tell you that you’re doing it wrong and proceed to watch him dig a hole with “his method” which is much, much better.

Ah, marriage and projects. They don’t ever seem to go as well together as planned, do they? 

Fortunately for me, I’ve got a husband who is innovative and won’t give up on his methods to save his life, so at best it provides good entertainment. Silly DaNelle thought she should dig a hole with a shovel (I don’t know what I was thinking).

half unearthed hole in clover patchKevin (a.k.a. Mr. Frugal, a.k.a. Mr. Engineer, a.k.a. the most stubborn man I know) decided a homemade post hole digger (a.k.a. an old PVC pipe) was the optimal choice.

I decided the entertainment was far more enticing than the arguing. So, the entire family brought out chairs and watched…

partial shot of man digging a hole with a PVC pipe

And after only 30 minutes later of hammering, then tugging, and tugging, and pulling, and tugging…

man twisting PVC pipe to dig a hole in a backyard

Behold…the hole. 

Unfortunately, because the PVC pipe was SMALLER THAN THE POST (totally caught that early on by the way, but who was I to know it wouldn’t fit? Remember, I’m simple-minded shovel lady over here, and you can’t trust what I think.)

No worries though. Three or four more PVC holes grouped together, with time spent in between to rid the ridiculously compacted soil out of the inside of the pipe, maybe an hour tops, the first post hole was dug. 

(In all honesty, Kevin is a dream to work with on projects. He doesn’t complain about hard work and dives right in. He does have hilarious & ridiculous methods, but he’ll do it my way if I protest:)
close up shot of man wearing sneakers near posts and hole circular hole with water at the bottom in backyard covered in clover

Step 3) Level the posts and pour concrete around them.

This was fairly simple to do. Thankfully, Kevin didn’t have a more ‘genius’ way to do it. 

(Don’t mind Lydia, she’s in a goth phase and also wants to shave her head. Oh that girl.)

man and child leveling a post inserted in ground close shot of a post standing in wet concrete

Step 4) Once you’ve got all the posts leveled, it’s time to put drill the sides together and call it good! 

three posts standing in a backyard alongside a white house

three posts with two implemented horizontal logsclose shot of arbor in backyard with two rows of adjoining logs implemented on either sideI’m so excited to have a place to grow delicious grapes! We planted the Black Monukka variety, which originates from Spain and does well in our climate. This grape is really versatile and you can make juice, jellies, and even wine all from this grape. Wish us luck! We’ll update this post with pictures as they grow!

Building a Simple Grape Arbor || Weed 'Em and Reap

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ABOUT DANELLE

DaNelle started to take an interest in a healthier lifestyle after suffering from two debilitating chronic diseases. On a mission to create a farm of her own, DaNelle forced, or rather 'lovingly persuaded' her husband to purchase a ranch home on an acre of land and transform it into their very own urban farm. DaNelle blogs at Weed 'em & Reap where she writes about the sustainable backyard farming, traditional food, & natural remedies.

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Comments

  1. Denisa says

    May 28, 2022 at 12:16 am

    I know that I should have paid attention to how to actually build a grape arbor but I couldn’t stop laughing! This was the best guide ever and your family is wonderful! Thanks for making my day, DaNelle! We have our grape trellises made by our grandfathers from metal, we cherish those a lot.

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    May 25, 2022 at 7:11 am

    This is a beautiful design. I have grown grapes on a chain link fence for years, but as we have just moved, I get to start again. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    May 16, 2022 at 7:31 pm

    Do you have an update on the grape arbor?

    Reply
    • Bobbi says

      May 19, 2022 at 6:29 am

      Hi Beth-

      DaNelle took it down and now they have grapes on the other side of their yard.

      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply
  4. betty dedman says

    August 15, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    I like your design. I have established grapes, but their 2 arbors are falling apart. Didn’t Help that one had 12 ft posts with a steel pole, and DH drove the tractor through the middle and the roll bar pulled it down, last May.
    Still, I need to replace it after harvest and severely prune. Just some FYI:
    2 things that you could have done easier:
    1) buy an auger, like this one–
    https://www.eastcoasthardware.com/148861-truper-tru-pro-adjustable-steel-auger-iwa.html?utm_campaign=google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz5P7iICe6wIVEr7ACh2uIAR5EAQYBCABEgLKfvD_BwE
    I have owned one for 20 years and have put many 8 ft, 8 inch diameter posts in the ground with it. It is so simple a child can dig a hole with it.
    2) NO CEMENT!! the only time that cement might help is if you have a gate attached to your post, and gravity works on it. I keep horses and my gate posts need help bc of this. Otherwise, your posts won’t move, since >1/3 is in the ground. Also, painting/treating the wood is really important, bc your wood will rot out and break off at the ground…where the cement is.
    Still, thanks for the plans!

    Reply
  5. Patti says

    July 28, 2020 at 8:51 am

    A girl after my own heart…I’ve always wanted to shave my head.

    Reply
  6. Elle says

    March 18, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Thanks DaNelle, this is a great tutorial! I’ve included in my “15 Sturdy Grape Vine Trellis Design Ideas For Your Backyard Arbor” article (https://www.outdoorhappens.com/15-sturdy-grape-vine-trellis-design-ideas-for-your-backyard-arbor/) and pinned, of course 😀 Got a much-needed laugh out of your Goat Crossfit video this morning too, how cool! Wonder if it works with cows or horses, that’s all I have. Oh, and dogs, but they wriggle a lot, upping the difficulty for sure… ‘Till next time, Elle

    Reply
  7. Paula Marshall says

    August 30, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    “too simple and starting to waver”? I guess so, it’s a clothesline.
    I already have one, white rope on pulleys, so I hope I can build an easy one!

    Reply
  8. Jill says

    February 18, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    Hey Danelle! Love your arbor and am in the process of doing the same thing. We have our 3 post holes dug and the distance between is 9feet so I need at least 18 or preferably 20 feet sides. Where did you find your sides as long as you did? Tractor supply has them but they are only 6.5 foot.

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      February 18, 2017 at 8:57 pm

      Hi Jill,

      You know, we actually found them for free on craigslist. Wish I could be more help!

      Reply
  9. Lisa says

    May 31, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    Hello! I just found your website and I’m reading up on all I can since we have just purchased a home on 5 acres of land and I will be starting my own small “farm” but I literally know nothing. Yesterday when walking around the property I noticed grapes growing along the fence. Don’t know how long they have been there but have been unattended for at least 18 months. Should I leave them and see if they are happy there, or attempt to make a proper grape house (already forgot what it’s called…oops) transplant or grow new ones? From my tiny bit of research it seems they take a couple of years to start bearing fruit…is that correct?

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      June 3, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Hi Lisa,

      How exciting! I think the word you’re looking for is ‘arbor’. I would say that yes, it would be wise to offer some support. Grape trunks can get large and in strong winds can break. Most grapes produce in their second year:) I would add some compost around the trunks and cover with mulch. They’ll love it!

      Reply
  10. Betty says

    February 22, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    Your grape arbor is attractive. If I had one of those hard working/entertaining husbands, I would definitely copy-cat you! I have 3 vines and have been supporting them with large tomato baskets with wires running from cage to cage. They are not very attractive but have held up during the monsoons so far. This is their fourth year. Hoping they will produce well again this year! Good luck w/yours!

    Reply
  11. Julie says

    February 18, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    But why do you need a horizontal beam on each side of the post at each level? Surely one beam at each level is sufficient (since they can technically attach to a wire?) Just curious.

    Reply
    • DaNelle Wolford says

      February 20, 2016 at 10:33 pm

      Hi Julie,

      That’s a great point! I thought the same thing, but it was more for design purposes anyway. We also get some fierce monsoon storms here and I wanted to make sure it was really sturdy:)

      Reply

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I'm DaNelle. I'm a city girl who convinced her husband to buy goats. Because, goats. Growing my own food has been an amazing experience, and this is the place I share it all with you! READ MORE…

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