A. Luckily, grape arbors can be successful in Galveston County.  A desire to build an arbor usually comes from childhood memories of sitting under the cool shade of an arbor in the heat of our summers.  If your childhood arbor was somewhere else in the United States, the atmosphere is the same here, but the grape selection is different.

Grapes that form loose clusters grow most successfully in Galveston County.  Our high humidity will mildew the tight clusters of traditional table grapes found in grocery stores.  Loose cluster grapes have only two to eight fruits per cluster allowing air flow around each grape.

Most popular in Galveston County are the newer varieties of Muscadine grapes (Vitus rotundifolio).  These Muscadines differ from the wild Muscadine found in the woods and have a delicious flavor for fresh use, homemade jelly or wine.  They are attractive to grow because they are hardy and resist disease and insects.

For an all-around grape choose from Ison, Cowart or Fry Bronze and Black.  As fresh grapes, Muscadines are thicker skinned and have a higher acid content, so limit the number of grapes you eat at one time.  Their high sugar content makes them an excellent choice for jelly or wine.  The most popular grape is the Ison.  It is a black, self-pollinating grape.  If you prefer a larger showy grape, the larger cluster of Muscadines are Jumbo, Higgins and Cowart.  The Cowart is not self-pollinating so it will require another variety in order to produce fruit.

The second pleasure derived from a grape arbor is the arbor itself.  The arbor can function as a patio cover, car port or can back up to the edge of your lot.  It can serve as a walk-through or a place for a swing.  Grapes prefer air circulation and sun so consider the best environment within your available space.

A classic arbor is four vines placed on an arbor that measures 12 feet wide by 24 feet long by 6-1/2 feet tall.  Products for arbor frames are treated wood, iron or galvanized pipe.  The trellis can be lattice or wire.  Just remember it needs to be strong enough in the center to support a crop of grapes.  Support the center in both directions.  On a suburban residential lot, modifying the length to 6 feet will still allow for a swing under the arbor.

Plant grapes while they are dormant in 12-14 inch holes.  Prune the tops and any broken or long roots when planting.  Let them grow without trellising the first year.  Since it will take two to three years for the arbor to become completely covered, plant vines such as coral vines, beans or morning glories.

In preparation for the grape arbor, plan for rocks or bricks under the arbor since grass will probably not grow in the shaded area.  The rocks or bricks will add even more atmosphere to this wonderful escape corner that can spark imagination and relaxation to all ages.