How to Build an Arbor for Muscadines

Grapevine arbors provide not only a source of fruit, but also a fresh supply of grapes to make homemade wine. If that's not reason enough to build an arbor, they are also an easy way to add an aesthetically pleasing touch to your landscaped yard or garden.

Things You'll Need

• Three 8-foot 4 by 4 posts Three 36" 2 by 4 boards Post hole diggers Concrete Drill Adjustable wrench Six 4-inch lag bolts 12 eye hooks Metal clothesline

Instructions

1. Dig holes for posts in a straight line six feet apart, using post hole diggers.

2. Sink 4 by 4 posts into the holes. Fill the holes with concrete for added stability.

3. Drill two holes into the center of each 2 by 4. Using a wrench and lag bolts, attach 2 by 4 boards to the posts, forming a T-shape.

4. Space eye hooks evenly apart and screw four per post into the top of the 2 by 4 boards.

5. Tie the clothesline to the eye hooks on the end posts. Thread it through the middle, finally tying it to the eye hooks on the other end post.

6. Train the grapevine to the arbor by wrapping its branches around the posts.

Tips & Warnings

• When building your arbor, think of the swag that power lines have. Your arbor should resemble this.

• Wasps and bees tend to congregate around grapevines and arbors.