Trellis Wire & Posts, Wire & Anchors
Trellises grape
Enter plot size, row spacing, post spacing and number of wire lines to get the rows, total posts, wire length and end anchors for grape, tomato, passion fruit or cucumber trellises.
Plan your trellis
Next: order 231 posts, 42 end-anchors and ~4,008 m of wire (add 5–10% for tensioning, splices and waste).
The block is treated as a square (side = √area); real plots vary, so use this as a material estimate. End posts are braced and anchored to take the wire tension.
Trellis wire — key facts
- Rows
- plot width ÷ row spacing
- Posts per row
- row length ÷ post spacing
- Total posts
- posts per row × rows
- Wire length
- rows × length × wire lines
- Post spacing
- ≈ 5–7 m line posts
- End posts
- need anchors or struts
- Crops
- grape, tomato, passion fruit, cucumber
- Privacy
- Runs in your browser; nothing uploaded
Order the right posts and wire before you dig a hole
A trellised crop is only as good as its frame: posts down each row and horizontal wires to carry the vines. Grapes, tomatoes, passion fruit and cucumbers all train along this structure, and getting the materials right matters — too few posts and the wires sag, too few anchors and the ends pull in and slacken everything. The maths is straightforward: posts come from row length and post spacing, wire from rows times length times the number of lines, and every row end needs bracing.
This tool gives the rows, total posts, wire length and end anchors from your plot size and spacings, so you can order materials and budget the job in one pass. Use it to plan a new vineyard or vegetable trellis, compare post spacings, and avoid a second trip to the supplier. Pair it with the Orchard Tree Spacing, High-Density Planting and Plant Spacing tools for a full layout.
Order materials right
Exact posts and wire, no over- or under-buying.
Brace the ends
Count the anchors so wires stay tight for years.
Compare spacings
See how post spacing changes the post count.
Budget the job
Total posts and wire in one quick pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a trellis calculator do?+
It works out the materials a trellised planting needs — vineyards and trellised vegetables like grape, tomato, passion fruit and cucumber grow along rows supported by posts and horizontal wire lines. From your plot size, row spacing, post spacing and number of wire lines it returns the number of rows, total posts, total wire length and the end anchors required.
How are the number of rows worked out?+
Rows depend on the plot width and your row spacing: the wider the plot and the closer the rows, the more rows you fit. The tool divides the available width by row spacing to give the row count, which then drives both the post and wire totals across the whole plot.
How are posts to buy calculated?+
Posts per row depend on row length and post spacing — the longer the row and the closer the posts, the more you need, plus the end posts. Multiply posts per row by the number of rows for the total. Closer post spacing gives a stronger, stiffer trellis but costs more posts.
How is wire length calculated?+
Wire length is rows × row length × number of wire lines. Each row carries several horizontal wires (for example a fruiting wire plus foliage wires), so more wire lines per row multiply the total. The result is the running length of wire to buy for the whole plot, before adding a little slack for tensioning and tying off.
Why do end posts need anchors or struts?+
End posts take the full tension of every wire in the row, so they pull inward unless braced. Anchors (a buried plate or screw-in earth anchor) or angled struts hold them firm and keep the wires tight over years. The tool counts the anchors needed so the ends do not lean and slacken the whole trellis.
What post spacing should I use?+
Common spacings run from about 5 to 7 metres for vineyard line posts, closer for heavy crops or windy sites. Closer spacing means stiffer wires that sag less and carry more crop, at the cost of more posts. Match spacing to the crop weight, wire gauge and your wind and soil conditions.
Does it work for vegetables as well as grapes?+
Yes — the same posts-and-wire layout supports trellised vegetables such as tomato, cucumber, beans and passion fruit, not just grapevines. Just enter the row and post spacing and the number of wire lines your crop's training system uses, and the totals scale to any trellised row crop.
How many wire lines do I need?+
It depends on the training system: a simple single-wire setup uses one line, while vertical-shoot-positioned vineyards or tall vegetable trellises use several (a fruiting wire plus pairs of foliage wires). Enter the number of horizontal lines your system calls for and the tool multiplies the wire total accordingly.
Are the figures precise?+
They are solid planning figures for ordering materials. Real totals shift with headland turning space, irregular plot shapes, end-assembly design, and the extra wire for tensioning and tie-offs. Add a sensible margin for waste and spares, and confirm against your row layout before buying posts and wire.