Building Our Sangha Shed

A Grape Trellis

A trellis is the best solar sink we can have for summer protection while eating and resting on the patio. The trellis planter has three 'bottomless' compartments. The bottom opens onto the rock formation beneath the planters and thus to its subterranean water sources.

We used Miracle Gro Potting Soil and some other enhancements suggested by Terry's Nursery of Yreka in each planter compartment. I used plastic liners to reduce the rapidity of dryrot affecting the cedar boxes and to reduce water evaporation through the wood.

The compartments have been filled with the soil and were water-soaked to prep them for transplanting the grape vines when the time is right - late evening.

The inside of the pergola will be nicely shaded from the later afternoon sun that blazes in the northern side of the pergola. Of course, it may take several years before the grape vines climb high enough and grow lush enough to cover the trellis and go over the roof of the pergola.....And, they have to be protected from the deer, squirrels and rabbits.

The grapevines were chosen from the Co-Op in Phoenix Oregon. We bought them late in the season and waited until we had some cold nights. We sat them on the patio with fencing around them to acclimatize them before we transplanted them. Three varieties of sweet table grapes, all blue, black or red. No, green varieties were recommended.

Liza stained the trellis support frame. I then used fence staples to attach a four-foot high run of 1/2" hardware cloth to the ourside of the frame. This 'fence' will provide extra places for the vines to grip onto and it will assure us that most snakes and rodents (rats/mice) will not be crawling through the vines onto our necks...

I mounted the lattice structure to the frame over the 1/2" hardware 'cloth'.

Then we planted the 3 vines. If you look through the spaces in the wooden lattice you can just discern the 1/2" hardware cloth pattern. It is 4 feet from the top of the planter to the top of the wire.

Another view of the 3 vines.

The pergola already enjoys a bit of protection from the direct sunlight. The lattice cuts down on about 40% to 50% of the direct light and allows the breezes to come through.


 
 

Links to Other Photo Essays About the Sangha Shed


 
 

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