I'm curious if there is a preferred method for growing grapes against a chain link fence? Based on what I've read so far, it seems like one approach would to to primarily use the top of the fence to train the branches.
Is it a pain to prune the grapes on a chain link fence?
Also, I've read that you should keep your grapes 10 feet apart, but the posts on the fence are 8 feet apart, and it would be awfully convenient to space them 8 feet apart...
I'm going to get Ron's book pretty soon, so maybe this will be covered there, but I would like to put in the vines pretty soon, and was wondering if I am starting out in the right direction.
I would not do it. Grapes and a Chain link fence is almost as bad an idea as a Wisteria vine on a wooden deck. No, the grapes won't destroy the fence, but it will be a pain to prune it correctly. Also, if the fence is the property line, it willl be hard to pick the fruit on the outside of the vine
I agree with boizeau. Most experts suggest planting grapes in a North-South orientation, so they get maximum sun. Pruning on a chain link fence does not sound like fun! It is by far the most active part(the only part?) of growing grapes. I like it, but I know some don't. Max sunny location and heat in the NW.
John S
PDX OR
Get a copy of Lon's book "The Grape Grower". There are good examples of how to prune/train grapes and the book is very well illustrated.
Keep it on the coffee table.
http://www.amazon.com/Grape-Grower-Guid ... 1890132829
I appreciate your comments, thank you. I will definitely pick that up.
There is good access from both sides of the fence, as it is facing the street. And it it facing north-south, so that part is good as well.
One idea I'm considering is converting the chain link fence to a trellis. I could take out the "skin" of the fence, and drill holes through the chain-link posts. Voila, an easy trellis-fence?
My backyard trellis is done with all chain link fence parts. Galvanized pipe is perfect for Oregon since wood just rots.
I think you could easily train the grape(s) to a meshless system like you propose. You could tie cordons to each horizontal pipe (use natural twine every season so you don't end up girdling from forgotten plastic twine?), or you could tie new fruiting canes to it each year, pruning out all older canes.
Go for it.
Hi..
I do agree with boizeau and john, growing grapes against a chain link fence is not an good idea.
Well I be the contrarion, but perhaps out of ignorance.
My grapes are growing on a chain link fence, and to make it even better it is between 2 houses so it gets a bunch of shade and grows onto the neighbors side.
I don't really have a better place for them, so the correct comparison isn't to the optimal situation but rather to not having the grapes at all.
By that measure I consider them to be a success and not much of a problem to manage (I think they were planted in 2005). The things that are suboptimal are 1) they grow into the neighbor's yard. 2) they are too close together, although that isn't the fault of the fence 3) the vines grow through the mesh 4) they don't get full sun as much as I'd like, which also isn't the fault of the fence.
So hopefully #3 is the only thing that would be your concern. The first season or two I was careful to make sure that all of the vines I kept were on my side of the fence. Grapes get so much pruning anyway that now I just prune off the vines that go through the fence. I give a haircut 2 or 3 times during the summer to remove the stuff growing into the neighbors yard. When I cluster thin I also take out the stuff that would be on the wrong side of the fence.
For my 5 or 6 vines this is all very manageable.
well said. i wished my dad did the same thing as you. it would have saved us all the troubles and money as well. i will definitely show this post to dad.