Clever ways to support climbing plants and grow grape vines

Climbers and grape vines look their best when properly trained and supported. Here are some clever ways to maintain your plants.

As well as conventional solutions, a tree can make a perfect support for a vigorous climber. However they are supported, climbers need to be tied on securely but loosely, using soft garden string or raffia (wire will damage stems rocked by the wind).

• Ideally, tie in shoots while they are young, flexible and easiest to manipulate. Twining climbers such as honeysuckle will need tying in only to keep them tidy.

• Wires: Ideally, place your horizontal wires about 45 centimetres (18 inches) apart, with the bottom one 45 centimetres (18 inches)from the ground. Anchor the wires to a wall or other structure at two metre (6.5 foot) intervals with "vine eyes". Or, position one wire vertically up from ground level with a diagonal wire on each side to make a large V shape about twometres (6.5 feet)wide at the top. Make sure anchor points are strong and the wire is thick enough to support the weight of a large plant.
• Trellis: Attach trellis panels to a wall leaving at least one centimetre (1/2 inch) of space between them for air to circulate and to allow for tying in. Trellis panels can be mounted on wooden battens before being attached to a wall with long nails.

With the many new varieties now available, it's perfectly possible to grow your own grapes outdoors.

• Soil and site: You'll need free-draining soil that's not deep clay or chalk and a site such as a south or southwest-facing wall or fence that will provide plants with maximum sunlight and protection from spring frosts.
• Erect supports: Install four strong galvanized horizontal wires 30 centimetres (12 inches) apart, attached to the wall with 20 centimetres (eight inches) of "vine eyes" (for a wall) or eye bolts (for a fence). Tie in a vertical cane support for each plant.
• Preparation and planting: Dig the soil, incorporating plenty of organic matter. Plant vines about 2 metres (6.5 feet) apart in late fall or early spring, as for shrubs. Fill in with soil mixed with gravel to improve drainage.
• Year 1 (Summer): Tie the strongest shoot to the support, pinch out others to one or two leaves.
• Year 1 (Fall): Cut back to three or four buds.
• Year 1 (Summer): Train the three strongest shoots to the support wires. Pinch out all other unwanted shoots.
• Year 2 (Fall): Tie two good shoots laterally along the bottom wire. Prune the central shoot to three buds.
• Subsequent falls: After harvesting, cut the centre shoot back to three buds and tie in new shoots to the bottom wire. Cut fruited stems back to the base.

With these tips, training climbing plants and grape vines may be easier than you think — get started today!