How to Install a Muscadine Grape Vine Holder

Sink an 8-foot end post 3 feet into the ground with a post driver, or dig the 2-foot-deep hole with an auger. Make sure the post is vertically straight.

Construct an H-brace by installing an 8-foot post 4 feet into the ground, 6 to 8 feet away from the end post. Drill a 3/8-inch diameter hole in the outer brace post 2 inches deep, approximately 3 inches from the top. Drill at the center of the brace post facing the end post.

Drill another three-eighths-inch diameter hole all the way through the end post at the same height as the hole in the brace post. Drill 2-inch deep, three-eighths-inch diameter holes in each end of the 6- to 8-foot horizontal brace post. Insert a brace pin in the hole in the vertical brace post.

Hold the horizontal brace level between the end post and vertical brace post and slide it onto the brace pin. Line the horizontal brace up with the hole in the end post. Pound a brace pin through the hole in the end post into the pre-drilled hole in the end of the horizontal brace.

Wrap a double-strand of 9-gauge wire around the end post just above the cross brace, and bring it down to wrap around the bottom of the outer vertical brace post. Insert a 1-foot long stick or steel rod between the wires. Turn the stick to twist the wires and tighten the brace.

Install the other end post and H-brace similarly. Space the end posts at least 10 feet apart for one muscadine grape vine. Allow a minimum of 10 feet per vine when multiple vines will be planted.

Affix a 4-foot long 2- by 6-inch board to each end post with galvanized nails or screws. Center the boards on the posts, and make sure the top edge is even with the top of the post.

Place galvanized metal cross-arm line posts between the end posts to support the wires. Install one cross-arm post at the center between the two end posts for one vine. Place the first cross-arm line post 6 feet from the end post with the rest of the cross-arm line posts 10 feet apart for multiple vines.

Loop the ends of two 12.5-gauge wires around the outer brace post, and close the loops using crimping sleeves. Run each wire over the top of the end post cross board, about 1 inch in from the outer edge of the board. Affix each wire loosely to the top of the cross board with a staple. Do not pound the staple all the way into the board.

Continue running each wire through the outer tips of the cross arms on the line posts to the opposite end post. Affix each wire loosely to the top of the cross board on the end post. Cut each wire 2 feet from the outer brace post, and insert wire strainers. Loop the ends of the wires around the outer brace post, and close the loops with crimping sleeves.

Use a wire strainer handle to tighten the wires with the wire strainers. Tighten each wire to 250 pounds of tension. Check the tension on each wire with a wire tension gauge.