What types of canopies for grapes are there and how to make them yourself
Large bunches of grapes are a decoration for any garden. Many summer residents grow grapes under arched canopies or tents - this is convenient and practical. They build canopies over the porch, near the walls of houses or in the center of the garden plot. The vines intertwine beautifully and turn into green columns. To ensure that the canopy lasts a long time, attention is paid to the material used and the type of construction. What kinds of vineyard canopies there are and what to pay attention to when making them, we will look at this article.
Types of canopies for grapes
Awnings are distinguished by material of manufacture and type of construction. Some summer residents prefer metal arches, others prefer wooden gazebos.
Made of metal
Metal garden structures are durable and strong. They can withstand heavy loads and are easy to use and maintain. Metal sheds are used by both amateurs and experienced gardeners who grow grapes for sale and wine production. The disadvantage of this design is the complexity of manufacturing and installation. Only those who have welding skills and special equipment can make a metal canopy on their own.
A budget and durable option is a canopy made of profile pipe and wire. It has a low cost and is easy to manufacture compared to other metal structures. Summer residents also install metal tile structures in the garden.The material weighs little, has an aesthetic and attractive appearance, is easy to cut and does not bend. Using metal tiles, they create original canopies that will decorate any summer cottage.
Made of wood
Wood is used to make simple and complex garden structures. It can be a traditional canopy in a classic style or a simple one in a minimalist style. A common option is a plank canopy made of wooden stakes and slats. The material has a pleasant natural texture and beautiful appearance, accessibility and ergonomics. The tree is laconic, will fit into spacious and compact garden areas, the production of such canopies does not require a welding machine.
However, wooden home sheds are less practical than metal ones. To protect against rotting and damage, wood is periodically treated with antiseptic agents, coated with paint and varnish. The material deteriorates from high humidity and temperature changes. Wood weighs more than metal and loses its appearance faster.
Attention! The ideal option for making a canopy is combined frame systems, where the supports are made of metal and the remaining elements are made of wood. Such designs are beautiful and reliable.
Arch-shaped tent
Arched canopies are a strong trellis with a curved roof. The structure is made from a profile pipe, wire, metal arcs and other materials. Arched canopies are popular and aesthetically pleasing; you can make them yourself or buy ready-made ones. A semicircular or curved roof protects the grapes from winds, rain and snow. The vines wrap around the arches, which looks very beautiful and complements the landscape design.
The disadvantage of brewing sheds is that gardeners have to guide the vine so that it always grows along the outer perimeter. If this is not done, the vines will tangle at the bottom of the arch, the canopy will lose its appearance, and ripe clusters will be difficult to find in the thickets.
Alcove
The grape arbor is made of frame metal or wooden structures. Green vines wrap around the gazebo, giving it an original appearance. The frame can be round, square, polygonal, depending on the personal preferences of the gardener. The roof can be solid or lattice, most often it is made of light wood. The gazebo will become your favorite place to relax or receive guests. It is installed on the western or southern side of the garden plot, since grapes do not develop well on the northern side.
Attention! The gazebo can be temporary - such structures are assembled and removed as needed - or permanent - an option with a solid foundation and support. Temporary gazebos are mobile and weigh little; As a rule, gardeners remove them for the winter. Capital ones are equipped with furniture, a fireplace or stove, and they serve as a place to relax.
How to make a canopy for grapes with your own hands
The cost of grape canopies is from 10,000 rubles. and higher. Many gardeners prefer to make arches or gazebos themselves. This saves money and allows you to create an original design in accordance with personal preferences.
How to weld a tent from a metal profile pipe
First, prepare a detailed drawing with the dimensions of all elements. This helps to select materials and calculate the cost of the structure. Tools are also prepared: a welding machine, a hammer drill, a construction tape, sand and cement.For production, steel pipes of square or rectangular cross-section and metal wire are used. By welding, the pipes are transformed into a solid frame.
Attention! Square pipes are most often used for supports, since they are more subject to loads. For the manufacture of other elements - rectangular. The design is lightweight due to uniform weight distribution.
Next, the type of frame is determined. If this is your first experience in making canopies, it is recommended to pay attention to square or rectangular frames. They are the simplest and do not require special training. Polygonal frames require many joints at the corners; only professionals can make them evenly and correctly. Before welding, the pipes and supports are coated with an anti-corrosion agent to protect the canopy from rust.
A simple tent for grapes is made like this:
- Supports are installed - profile pipes 2.5-3.5 m long. They are concreted parallel to each other at a distance of 2 m.
- Make holes in them for the wire at a distance of 30 cm from each other.
- They pull it every 0.5 m - they get horizontal rows of weaving and tighten them vertically.
Wooden canopy for grapes
To assemble wooden canopies, you do not need complex tools; it is enough to have wooden planks and bars and ordinary nails on hand. The frame can be round or square, the roof can be vaulted or in the form of a decorative lattice, conical or polygonal. For production, a rounded log with a diameter of 10-20 cm and profiled timber are used. Suitable species are ash, oak, pear, larch, birch.
The lumber is laid out and dried for 5 days, the surface is treated with sandpaper and impregnated with a bactericidal solution to protect against damage.
Canopy manufacturing process:
- A drawing is drawn up, indicating the size of the beams and supports, the installation pitch of the beams, and the length of the support pillars.
- Choose a place to place the canopy and remove the top layer of soil.
- Dig holes for supports 90 cm deep.
- The side piles are mounted using concreting.
- The vertical posts are tied around the perimeter with wooden blocks and left for a week to strengthen.
Rules for planting and growing grapevines under a canopy
To make a grape canopy in the courtyard of a private house look beautiful, summer residents devote time proper planting of grapes and carrying out agrotechnical work.
How to plant correctly
Place a canopy with grapes on an elevated area. The soil is dug up and leveled, debris and large stones are removed. The grapes are planted at a distance of 20-30 cm from the frame. The distance between plantings should be at least 100 cm, otherwise in the future the vines will interfere with each other.
Planting hole depth - 50 cm. 2-3 weeks before planting it fertilize vermicompost or humus. The grapes do not tolerate waterlogging, so a drainage layer 20 cm deep of fine sand and crushed stone is prepared at the bottom of the pit.
The seedling is placed in the hole, the roots are straightened at an angle, sprinkled with earth and compacted. The shoot is tied to the lower part of the frame, water with warm water. The canopy in this case serves as a supporting structure. In the summer, when the length of the shoot is 30 cm, summer residents tie up the green parts of the plant.
This is interesting:
What properties should uncovered grape varieties have and which ones are considered the best?
Grape care and formation
During the first 2-3 years, the grapes are formed so that the young vines are at the top and the beginning of the sleeves is at the bottom. In subsequent years, gardeners remove old and damaged shoots. If this is not done, the vine will be “shaggy” and the yield will decrease. Grapes are formed in early spring (before the start of sap flow) or autumn (a month before the onset of frost). The procedure improves the appearance of the vines.
Water the grapes once every 2-3 weeks. Lack of water leads to the fact that the roots grow greatly in search of moisture and take it from other plants. In addition to watering, grape leaves and vines are sprayed with water from a spray bottle. This is especially important for grapes that grow under a continuous roof.
Attention! Under the canopy, stable yields of the Moskovsky Sustainable, Vostorg, and Michurinsky varieties are shown. They are frost-resistant and rarely get sick.
Conclusion
To make grape canopies, wood or metal is used. Wooden structures look aesthetically pleasing, but require constant care and protection from fungi. Metal ones are durable, but their manufacture requires welding equipment and skills to work with it. A gazebo or arch will become a favorite place to relax, especially if you regularly form grape vines and direct their growth.