June 9, 2004

Grape Arbor – Grape Arbors Add Italian Flair To A Garden

Erecting a grape arbor in your own backyard is the perfect way to add a touch of culture and character to your home. If you’ve ever wished you could take a trip to the Italian countryside to enjoy the endless crops of luscious grapes, then read on. We’re going to tell you how you can bring the magic of Italy right to your own home. Building grape arbors and cultivating your own grapes is a rewarding and charming project that is sure to bring the flair and beauty of Italy right to your own backyard!

An arbor specific to growing grapes can be constructed by a professional or, if you have some basic carpentry skills and about three weeks of spare time, you can do it yourself! The cost of construction is sometimes a deciding factor, as hiring a professional will often set you back almost $4000, while doing it yourself will usually only cost approximately $800 - $1500.

The important thing to keep in mind is that these arbors are fairly labor intensive to build, so if you do not have the time or the skill, it is often better to at least consult with a professional prior to beginning the project. This will eliminate any mistakes or errors that may end up costing you more money to fix later!

Choose A Grape Variety That Is Suited To Your Taste And Climate

A grape vine arbor serves the practical function of providing shade and privacy to your patio or backyard area, however it also serves the horticultural purpose or producing grapes. Thus, prior to assembling your arbor, you need to research the various kinds of grapes that can grow and thrive in your climate. Grapes are usually purple, green, or yellow in color and now come either with seeds without.

The various cultures also have extremely different flavors and aromas. There are two variety’s of grapes to choose from: the European variety, which thrive in high heat and will only tolerate cold to about 0 degrees; and the Concord variety, which flourish in colder regions and shorter growing seasons.

Once a grape growing arbor is constructed and your grape vines are planted, it will require a fair amount of attention. Vines must be trained to grow around the arbor and urged not to become unruly. To do this, you will have to hammer large staples halfway into the posts of your arbor and slip coated wire through them to tie to the branches. If you want your vines to produce a leafy canopy, you will only have to prune them once a year! However, if you want the grapes to grow too, you'll have to prune more carefully and more regularly to ensure a good harvest.

Grape vine arbors, though slightly labor intensive to initially construct, are the perfect way to add a little Italian flair and romance to your home. Finding the right garden arbor plan will make it a fun and rewarding project that, if done properly, can thrive outside your home for up to 40 years!  Over the years that's a lot of delicious grapes!

About The Author:
Erin McMillan is a talented and successful freelance writer. Her various writings provide relevant information and wonderfully researched resources for gardeners and garden enthusiasts wanting to learn more about gardening and gardening products. Erin loves sharing knowledge and education through her numerous writings and educational articles.

By: Erin McMillan
http//www.a1-best-garden-supplies.com