A DIY grape arbor made from profile pipes, metal, polycarbonate, and wood.

Decorating your garden with your own hands is a favorite pastime of gardeners. A distinctive feature of southern Garden plots are rich in vineyards. With a little effort, you can combine the two and build a canopy that serves as support for the vineyard and a gazebo for relaxation. What's the easiest and best way to install a grape canopy on your property?

Types of canopies

The choice of grapevine shed design depends on the site's interior, available materials, the builder's skill, and the allocated budget. Based on the materials used, sheds are classified as:

• Wire supports. Made from metal rods or rebar, these supports are inexpensive and relatively quick to install;
• Wooden. There are many variations of wooden structures. For the frame of the structure, beams, slats, or flexible tree branches are used;
• Structures made from metal profiles are the most durable, but their cost is quite high.

According to the type of construction they are divided into:

• arches;
• gazebos;
• extensions to existing buildings.

Tools needed for construction

The choice of tool depends on the material of the future structure:

• for marking you will need a level, tape measure, square, water level, pegs, twine, pencil or chalk;
• a universal tool is a screwdriver, a set of drills, nuts, bolts, screws, a knife;
• To make the foundation you will need a drill, a concrete mixer, a shovel and a bayonet shovel, containers for sand and crushed stone;
• To manufacture metal structures you will need an angle grinder, a drill and a welding machine;
• To work with wood you need a jigsaw, a hacksaw, a hammer, and nails;
• For final painting, brushes or a roller are required.

Site marking

Before marking out the site, it's important to decide on the gazebo's location on the property. It's important that the structure blends seamlessly into the garden landscape, with adequate space for a seating area and barbecue.

The gazebo is placed on a level, elevated area. The ground at the future construction site is leveled, and large stones are removed. Next, the required distance is measured and stakes are driven into the corners of the future structure. The squareness of the markings is verified by ensuring that the diagonals between the corners are equal.

Canopy for grapes made of wire and metal

The fastest way to make a canopy for grape vines is from wire and metal profile.

1. Holes are dug 50-70 cm deep for the posts using a garden auger. The distance between holes is 1.5-2 meters.
2. For the supports, use square pipes 3.5-3.7 meters long, install them in the holes, and concrete them. If a pitched roof is planned, some of the posts are longer.
3. A horizontal support bracing is installed along the top perimeter of the structure. Metal profiles or boards are used for this bracing.
4. The beams of the rafter structure are placed on top of the horizontal frame and secured.
5. The roof is made of corrugated iron or polycarbonate. Instead of covering material, you can stretch wire every 40-50 cm. The spreading vine branches provide excellent shade from the sun.
6. Wire is stretched between the supports every 50 cm.
7. Anti-corrosion protection is applied to metal parts of the structure, and antiseptic protection is applied to wooden parts.
8. Grape bushes are planted along the supports and woven into the wire frame of the canopy.

Welded canopy

Fabricating a welded frame for a canopy is a more labor-intensive task than the previous option. However, a welded frame offers greater strength and durability. Round and square pipes, angles, and flat bars are used for its construction. Frame elements are often forged before assembly.

The construction of a welded structure is very similar to the manufacture of a wire frame, the difference being that the horizontal crossbars are made from a profile and attached to the supports by welding.

Arched canopies

Arches covered with grapevines look stunning in any garden. They're easy to make. The entire process can be divided into three stages.

1. According to the markings, pillars with support platforms on the upper ends are installed.
2. Arched trusses are lowered onto the pillars from above. The trusses are secured with bolts or welding.
3. Once connected, several arched arches are connected with a square pipe to form a gazebo. Several single arches entwined with vines will look especially beautiful.

Alcove

A gazebo is a beautiful addition to any relaxation area. Covered with grapevines and drooping clusters of berries, it will be a true gem in any garden. Building one yourself is entirely within your reach.

Before starting work, it's necessary to draw a plan for the future structure and select the material. A wooden gazebo is considered a classic, while those made from profile pipes are distinguished by their elegance and intricate forms. The geometric shape of the frame is limited only by the builder's imagination. A rectangular structure with a pointed pyramidal roof looks beautiful, while the arched shapes of a pergola are especially charming.

The grape arbor is installed in several stages:

1. The area of ​​soil is leveled and the top layer of soil is removed.
2. Holes for support pillars are drilled along the perimeter in accordance with the drawing at intervals of 1-1.5 meters.
3. The posts are installed in the holes and plumbed. The bases of the posts are poured with concrete.
4. According to the drawing, the horizontal frame of the structure is installed, and then the roof is installed.
5. An anti-corrosion coating is applied to the metal parts of the structure.
6. A layer of sand is poured inside the gazebo and carefully compacted using a vibrating machine, and tiles are laid on top.

Features of wooden awnings and gazebos

Wood is a traditional material for making canopies and gazebos. With proper care, these structures will last for many years. Several beautiful wooden gazebos are shown in this photo.

Like any material, wood has its positive and negative characteristics.

Advantages of wood products:

• the cost of construction from wood is lower than from metal;
• The production of wooden structures does not require highly qualified craftsmen or expensive tools;
• Wooden structures fit most organically into the landscape of a garden plot.

Disadvantages of wood products:

• wooden products are less durable than metal ones;
• wood requires regular touch-up painting;
• For fire safety reasons, it is not recommended to set up a barbecue under a canopy;
• Over time, boards and beams crack and nail joints become loose.

Slanted canopies adjacent to the house

A common practice in southern regions is to build a slanted shed next to the house and create a summer recreation area underneath. The advantages of this structure include reduced cost due to the lack of a rear wall and reduced wind penetration.

An approximate plan of action for the installation of a terrace - canopy:

1. Metal posts are installed 3-4 meters from the wall to act as supports. The posts are tied together with bracing at the top and crossbars between each other.
2. A corner – a horizontal guide – is attached to the wall of the house using anchor bolts.
3. The rafter system is mounted by supporting it on one side on the frame of the pillars, and on the other side on the horizontal guide on the wall.
4. The roof of the canopy is covered with corrugated sheets or polycarbonate.

Selecting grape varieties for growing on canopy supports

There are several criteria for selecting a variety for growing on openwork canopy supports, but the most important is winter hardiness. Branches entwined over the frame cannot be lowered to the ground for frost protection.

The following varieties are considered the most winter-hardy:

• "Lydia";
• Aleshenkin,
• "Ladyfingers";
• "Tukai";
• "Isabel".

These low-maintenance varieties are relatively easy to care for; they are well-adapted to frost and provide dense shade in summer. In addition to the aforementioned varieties, structures entwined with wedge-leaved and Japanese grapes look beautiful. With good winter hardiness, they provide dense shade and beautiful clusters of berries.

Proper organization of plantings

To ensure proper plant development, seedlings are planted 20-30 centimeters from the canopy frame. Before planting, dig holes 50-60 cm deep, spaced 1 meter apart. Add a 10 cm layer of sand or broken brick to the bottom of the hole for drainage. Use a mixture of compost and good turf soil as soil. Fill half the hole with soil, place the cutting, and fill in the rest of the hole. Water the planted seedling generously, and tie its top to the canopy frame. Further care for seedlings planted near the canopy consists of fertilizing, watering regularly, tying, and pruning the vines.

Conclusion

Building a decorative gazebo or canopy for grapes yourself will require a considerable amount of time and effort, but the resulting structure will decorate your garden for many years to come.