Grape Arbor and Swing Construction

[hangin'witthepeeps]

Okay, I've found what I want to build for my muscadine vines. Are there any suggestions as to sturdy up the frame to support the swing and vines better? I plan on getting some cuttings off my aunts vines, but need to construct the arbor first.

http://tinaramsey.blogspot.com/2010/03/grapevine-project.html
I found the pictures here and would love to thank the owner. It is what I wanted, functional without being over the top. If you google grape arbors, you get all kinds. Very elaborate beautiful works of art, but it would be out of place in my little country garden with chickens and goats. I believe this arbor is just the right balance and the step by step instructions are GREAT!!!. But I was thinking of some cross beams to support more weight. Do you use screws or lag bolts to make it more sturdy? I'm going to cement the posts in.

Thanks, Melissa

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Love the pix. Want something for my grapevines but it's gonna have to wait. We need to come up with something really very sturdy because we get MASSIVE winds out here along with microburst (mini localized tornadoes).

Cementing the posts in would work for me. Probably for you too. Good idea.

I really liked the pic of the woodshed/mower garage. Wondering if I can get Hubby to do something like that for me.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Ohhh, i really like what they did, it looks beautiful. Yours will be even nicer with a GROWING grape on it - did you get that impression, that the vine she wrapped around was dead??

Anyway, to make it burlier, i would do 4 posts in the ground, instead of 2. So that your arbor would end up looking like those old monkeybars that were at all the school playgrounds?? And you could hang your swing from the "back" side of it, so it was kind of recessed in the shade. And i think we would chose galvanized lag bolts.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I like this one, with the 4 posts, but then the whimsy is gone. 2nd and 3rd picture.

http://affordablehomeremedy.com/photos2.aspx

I know the grape vine is dead, it's just "decoration". If you look in the blog you can see she has Moon Flowers on it and it's just absolutely beautiful.

I need to find a 4 post that has the look I want.

 

[journey11]

Cool project! Growing grapes will make for some nice shade too. The second version looks sturdier, or an A-frame would definitely be sturdier for the swing, but you're right, the look is compromised. Maybe use a larger diameter post and really sink it deep, cement it in. I'd worry about that first version getting wobbly over time. The motion of the swing would pull it back and forth.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

That was my worry too. I really like to swing or rock. My back porch is not big enough for a rocker, so I have a small glider in the front. The glider frame is damaged beyond repair. So I want to repurpose the seat into a swing. It's going to be 4 posts, I just have to find the right "lattice" to make it not so "perfect" and kind of country rustic. Just like me, rustic not RUSTY!!!

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I like this one, but where would you attached the hooks for the swing chains?

http://backyardvino.blogspot.com/2011/05/vertical-climbing-plants-on-grape-arbor.html

 

[skeeter9]

What a fun project, hangin'. That's going to look great in your yard! As far as making it more sturdy, what about adding angled legs like a swing set? You could always ad cross pieces part way down the back side so your vines could grow there for shade.

 

[journey11]

I like this one, but where would you attached the hooks for the swing chains?

http://backyardvino.blogspot.com/2011/05/vertical-climbing-plants-on-grape-arbor.html

I'm not really sure. Maybe someone with more construction experience will have some thoughts on that.