• Concord grapesgrapes image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
  
  Concord grapes are a native variety with a long history in America. They are easy to train on trellises but they exert a considerable amount of force on support structures. It is therefore, important that you construct the grape trellis of sturdy materials and that it be well seated in the ground to prevent collapse of the structure from the pressure of the growing vines. These trellises all incorporate substantial materials in their design.
  
  

Pipe Trellis

• Set metal pipes in cement in the ground six to eight feet apart in rows spaced eight or nine feet apart. (Pipes should be about four feet tall above the ground). String galvanized aircraft or steel cable through drilled holes in pipes to connect them all together, and finish by tightening and fastening them to the last pipes at the ends of each row with cable clamps or fasteners. For additional strength, consider adding a "T" fitting to the top of each pipe (use elbow fittings for the end pipes) and screwing in cross pipes between the uprights. You might try heavy gauge PVC pipe as well--though plastic deteriorates in sunlight and will need to be replaced more often than galvanized metal pipe.
  
  

Wood Trellis

• Following a similar spacing plan as for pipe trellises, set large (four inch by four inch minimum) wooden posts in the ground--buried directly in soil with rock backfill, or in concrete for more security in the long term. To avoid soil contamination that may affect your harvest, treat or paint the posts with a commercial product that is non-toxic and environmentally sound (such as SoyClean or Mythic Paints) or use naturally rot resistant wood like cedar, redwood or locust. Drill and run cable through posts or fasten sealed or painted cross boards between the upright posts.
  
  

Masonry Trellis

• Masonry supports are the most costly trellis to build, but they provide beautiful and lasting results. Hire a mason or follow professional recommendations for pouring concrete foundations, before constructing the posts--at least 12 inches square--of brick or stone mortared together. (Set steel eyebolts at intervals, top to bottom, along the sides of the posts during building to hold cable for training the Concord vines.) For a nice finished look, cap each post with a square concrete paver or go whole hog and construct arches across from one to another.