We have spent the past few days constructing a grape arbor. We did a little each day. Digging the holes was the hard part. We got about 30" down and at that point we hit the shale ledge that runs under most of our yard. And that's as far as you go. Even with an auger on a tractor. You get to the ledge and smoke rolls out of the hole, but no soil.
Day two we set the posts, perfectly plumb, all the same height, and in a perfect line. Then we tied them together with a 2x6 board along the top that will help stop the posts from pulling towards the center.
Because the cables are under tension. We put turnbuckles on the end so the cables can be tightened.
Then I spread shredded bark mulch on the soil to keep the roots cool, retain moisture, and discourage weeds. That makes things look nice and tidy, and the grape vines will be fine with that.
One vine has put on some nice growth. The other vine, which was sending up growth from below the soil line.... I finally dug it up, rinsed it, scrubbed it and determined that the growth was coming from the root stock, not the variety that was grafted on top. Which was not what I wanted. So I replaced it. I got another Himrod white seedless so both vines are now the same variety. I kept it in the cold frame for a week, and it has begun to break dormancy above the graft line so I planted it out and we are on our way.
The first vine, which was planted the end of March, is doing well. I am looking forward to pruning and training it. It is putting out three shoots. Two will go along the lower cable and the middle one will be trained up to the next level.
The Bushel and Berry Raspberry Shortcake plant that I potted up last spring is putting out a few little berries. The plant itself is quite healthy so I am pleased that this experiment it working out. It just takes time.
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