Running the Support Wires for the Raspberry Bushes
And are thoughts were that these rows will also help block the wind for some of the beds on the lee side.
A few weeks later I was ready to string the wires. I use 12.5 gauge galvanized wire, and I made my own spinning ninny to help wind it out.
The base is a tire rim with a pipe bolted to it. On that, I set some plywood.
I made the part that holds the roll and spins, from more plywood, 2×4’s, and castor wheels.
The wire is held in place with small blocks of wood mounted on threaded rod. You can buy a spinning ninny at most farm or fencing suppliers.
This heavy wire can be very unruly and dangerous if you’re not careful. I wouldn’t work with it unless I had a way to spell out and control the wire like this.
Tying the Wires
Starting from the wire vice end of the trellises, I pull out enough wire to take me to the lower eye bolt.
I tie that off then pull out the slack to cut the wire about 8″ past the post.
When I cut the wire with fencing pliers, I’m careful to always control each end as it can spring away. The end from the roll, I push into the ground to hold it in place. The other end I thread into the hole of the post and through the wire vice.
At least that was what I was planning. Something was blocking the wire vice and I though it might be a splinter of wood. So I had to remove the screws and pull out the vice to clear the hole. Turns out it was an earwig.
Wires run through Vices
These wire vices only allow the wire to go one way. They have small jaws that grip the wire like a ratchet. To tighten the line I give it a tug with pliers. Later I’ll bend over the sharp ends of the wire and tuck them down.
(Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for helping to support my content this way. )
I loop the wire through the eye of the bolt then cross it over and up through this loop.
This is stiff wire so it takes some struggling to tie it. I don’t make the neatest knots but they work.
Once through the loop, I wind the end tightly in the opposite direction a few turns. Then trim off the excess. I’ll go back later and wind that end in more.
There’s also some specialized tools available to make tying this heavy wire easier.
Now I’ll cut that, push the roll end of the wire into the ground to secure it, then feed the other end through the back of the wire vice.
Then I’ll repeat this for the rest of the wires.
Here’s another look at tying the wire to the eye bolt.
And thanks to everyone who has supported our channel through Patreon. It’s very much appreciated.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading
