How to String a Grapevine on Wires

Growing grapevines requires careful control over the growing area. For protection from predators, growers elevate the vines, growing them vertically, then horizontally along a wire trellis. You must train the vines to follow the wires. This training consists of tying the vines in place with string. It takes a few years to train grapevines, depending on growth speed. But in the end, you'll have fields of grapevines that are easily tended and protected from predation.

Tape measure
Wire trellis
Soft string
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Use a tape measure to measure the height of the top wire of your trellis. Usual height of the top wire is 5 or 6 feet.
- 2
  Cut a soft piece of string to the measured height, plus about 10 percent to allow enough length in the string for creating ties.
- 3
  Tie the string in a loop around the base of the grapevine. Any knot except a slipknot will do. Leave a bit of slack to allow the vine growing room within the loop.
- 4
  Raise the string to the top wire of the trellis, and tie it in place with a tight knot. Stretch the string so it's as vertical as possible, with little play between the vine and the top wire.
- 5
  Twist the growing branch around the string, working it upward along the trellis as far as possible. As the vine grows, it will continue to wrap itself around the string, growing upward. Check the vine often during the year, and remove any shoots growing along the sides.
- 6
  Remove the string from the vine when the vine reaches the top wire, then cut the top off the vine. Tie the top of the vine to the top wire, and wait for shoots to spring from the vine near the top. Train a shoot from each side to grow horizontally along the wire, one in each direction, by tying them with string to the wire as they grow. Remove any other shoots from the vine.

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