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My dad, last year decided to try his hand at growing grapes. He bought 2 grape plants. The support structure he "rigged" is basically a half dome made up of bendable tubes and chicken fencing with a wooden beam going up the middle.

He arranged it so the plants would be across from each other. (picture below).

This is obviously not the best way to grow grapes as our garden is surrounded by a trailer on both east and west sides. This is the first year of flowering for plants (which means were gettin grapes, yay!!).

Needless to say there are alot of underdeveloping grape bunches and shadey areas where sunlight is needed.

Knowing that we went about this all wrong I ask this: Can this tangled mess eventually be improved for next year? I would love to hear any suggestions or tips.

Hi Sammy, Your dad got a nice couple plants growing, good for him. Should be and easy fix. Pruning should be done before the buds swell. Don't know how tall the trunk is, or how far apart the vines have been planted.

You can ether build a fence like structure or support tees,like a low clothes line to support the vines.

From each trunk pick 4 vines, prune them to about 6' long, two at the top of the trunk and two down about half way, prune everything else off the trunk, remove all outgrowth from the vines, careful with the buds if they have started swelling.

1. The easiest structure: Sink two posts into the ground, one on each side of the vines, they can be as far apart as the vines are from each other up to 12' apart, about 4' standing above the ground. run at least two strong wires or wood lathes one at the top one half way down from post to post. Attach two canes or vines from each vine to the top wire one going in each direction, do the same thing with the lower canes.

2. Thank your father for planting the vines.

Richard

If the canes already have leaves, don't remove the leaves but remove all branching vines, careful with the bud or leaves.
Best time to do this is very early spring before the buds swell!

Hi Sammy - First - variety is important. Not knowing where you are makes it impossible to make recommendations.

Planting and pruning are the next 2 most important variables. This link has information on both planting and pruning - with pictures. It is a large publication so you have to scroll down a bit. The variety recommendations are not suitable for you unless you live in Louisiana. The planting and pruning recommendations are generic - you do need to adjust the timing to suit your region.

https://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres ... GHRES1.pdf

Hope this helps.

Good luck

Thanks for the link Elizabeth. As I should have mentioned right at the start we live in Las Vegas, NV and the vertical trunks are just a few inches tall. And thank you Richard for your reply and helpful tips.