How Far Apart Can I Plant My Grapevines?

Support Systems

• The reason spacing varies depending on your garden area is that spacing varies by the support system you use. Grapevines need support to lift them off the ground or they will grow into the dirt, limiting light and air circulation and increasing the risk of rotting. The two most popular types of supports are trellises and arbors, and spacing varies depending on which you use.

Trellis Planting

• Trellises are long rows of pipe or wood boards, generally spaced as high as 6 to 8 feet above the ground. The grapevines are first tied to the vertical board and then grow horizontally across the trellis. To plant grapevines for a trellis, space individual vines 8 feet apart, with a vertical connection to the trellis near each vine so that you can train it to grow up to the horizontal support. When using multiple trellises in a growing system, plant rows of grapevines and trellises at least 8 feet apart so that you can walk among the rows during care or harvest.

Arbor Planting

• While trellises are long, arbors are tall, reaching well above 10 feet in many cases. Arbors often resemble archways and are generally only a few feet long. Because the ends of the arbor are closer together, you should only plant arbor vines 4 feet apart from each other, so that they can each reach a section of the arbor. All vines should be trained to either a trellis or arbor before the second growing season begins, or you risk stunting vine growth.

Why Is Support and Spacing Important?

• Grapevines require full sunlight for at least seven hours per day. Growing upwards or horizontally above the ground ensures that each area of the vine, including the fruit when it sprouts, is properly exposed to sunlight. Similarly, the airflow that moves among the vines and fruits above the ground reduces the risk of rot and mold. Finally, the plants must be spaced far enough apart that they do not compete with each other for water and food from the soil.