Look at many old photos and you will see a grapevine arbor in the background. Look at landscapes today and you see grapevines on a wall or in a tree. Sometimes they will even be along a fence. Grapevines work great for a climbing plant along a fence or wall. But I still like a grape arbor serving as a passage, shade area, and as an attractive accent in a home landscape.

The grape arbor could be a family project from the selection of its location through construction, planting and harvesting of its fruit. The fruit can be eaten fresh, or made into jam or juice. The arbor can be large or small the choice depends on its function.

Grapes can be allowed to grow naturally and form a thick arrangement of canes. There is nearly no upkeep on any vine grown for shade. But a vine not pruned will yield little fruit. Of course grapes like full sun and can survive in most any soil with good drainage.

It is suggested you thin the vine annually to reduce disease and increase fruit production. The pruning should be done in March or early April. Basic pruning is cutting the vine back to 2-3 buds per branch and thinning out excess branches.

Some varieties of grapes that will work for your arbor project include "Concord" a deep purple old American variety which grows well for this purpose. It should be pruned to reduce disease. Today there are both seeded and seedless concord varieties.

"Reliance" a hardy red table grape has an excellent flavor. This variety is seedless and very cold tolerant.

"Himrod" is a seedless white grape that produces large bunches of grapes. This variety is not as cold hardy as Reliance.

I enjoy the welcome look an arbor adds to any landscape. When you see one in any landscape for me it's relaxing.

So if your landscape needs a focal point with some tasty rewards. Plan to add a grape arbor this spring. The newly planted vine you plant this year will not need an arbor until next year. So there is still time to plant the vine and plan an arbor.