Growing grapevines and harvesting grapes isn’t solely the province of wine producers anymore. You see them everywhere, clambering over arbors or up fences, but how do grapes grow? Growing grapes isn’t as difficult as many believe. In fact, it can be done by anyone with the right climate and the right type of soil.
Read on to learn how to plant grapes in your landscape.
About Growing Grapevines
Before you begin growing grapes, pinpoint what you want the
grapes for. Some people want them for a privacy screen and may not even care
about the quality of the fruit. Others want to make grape
preserves or grape juice or even dry them to make raisins. Still other
adventurous folks aim to make a great bottle of wine. While wine
grapes can be eaten fresh, they have many more requirements than your
average table grape.
Grapes are of three ilk: American, European and French
hybrid. The American and French hybrid cultivars are most suited to colder
regions, as they are the most winter hardy. European grapes are not usually
recommended for the home gardener unless the grower lives in a temperate area
or will provide winter
protection.
Decide what you want the grapevine for and then research types
of grapes that are appropriate for this use. Also, select grape cultivars
that are suitable for your region.
How Do Grapes Grow?
When growing grapes, requirements include a minimum growing
season of 150 days with winter temps over -25 F. (-32 C.). Grape growers also
need a site with good drainage, full sun and neither soggy nor arid conditions.
Purchase vines through a reputable nursery. Place the order
early and ask that the grapes arrive in the early spring. When the grapevines
arrive in the spring, plant them immediately.
How to Plant Grapes
Grapes are generally unfussy regarding soil type and
drainage. They thrive in deep, well-draining sandy loam. Prepare the site a
year prior to planting by removing any weeds and incorporating organic
matter into the soil. A soil
test can ascertain if further amendments are needed.
Remove any broken or damaged roots or vines and place the
grape in the soil at the depth it was at the nursery. Space plants at least 8
feet (2 m.) apart (4 feet, or 1 meter, apart for arbors) within and between
rows and mulch around the plants to retard weeds and retain moisture. Prune the
tops of the vines to a single cane.
During the first year, tie the vines to a stake to prevent
injury and to train the grapevine. Decide which method of training to use on
the vines. There are a number of methods, but the general idea is to prune
or train the vine to a single cordon bilateral system.
Harvesting Grapes
Growing grapevines requires a bit of patience. Like pretty
much any fruiting plant, it takes some time, three years or so, to establish
the plants and harvest any amount of fruit.
Harvest
grapes only after the fruit is fully ripe. Unlike other fruit, grapes do
not improve in sugar content post-harvest. It is best to taste the grapes
before harvesting, as they will often look ripe and yet their sugar content is
low. Grape quality declines rapidly once the sugar has peaked so it’s a rather
fine line when harvesting.
The amount of fruit yield will vary depending upon the
cultivar, age of the vine and climate.
Growing grapevines and harvesting grapes isn’t solely the province of wine producers anymore. You see them everywhere, clambering over arbors or up fences, but how do grapes grow? Growing grapes isn’t as difficult as many believe. In fact, it can be done by anyone with the right climate and the right type of soil.
Read on to learn how to plant grapes in your landscape.
About Growing Grapevines
Before you begin growing grapes, pinpoint what you want the
grapes for. Some people want them for a privacy screen and may not even care
about the quality of the fruit. Others want to make grape
preserves or grape juice or even dry them to make raisins. Still other
adventurous folks aim to make a great bottle of wine. While wine
grapes can be eaten fresh, they have many more requirements than your
average table grape.
Grapes are of three ilk: American, European and French
hybrid. The American and French hybrid cultivars are most suited to colder
regions, as they are the most winter hardy. European grapes are not usually
recommended for the home gardener unless the grower lives in a temperate area
or will provide winter
protection.
Decide what you want the grapevine for and then research types
of grapes that are appropriate for this use. Also, select grape cultivars
that are suitable for your region.
How Do Grapes Grow?
When growing grapes, requirements include a minimum growing
season of 150 days with winter temps over -25 F. (-32 C.). Grape growers also
need a site with good drainage, full sun and neither soggy nor arid conditions.
Purchase vines through a reputable nursery. Place the order
early and ask that the grapes arrive in the early spring. When the grapevines
arrive in the spring, plant them immediately.
How to Plant Grapes
Grapes are generally unfussy regarding soil type and
drainage. They thrive in deep, well-draining sandy loam. Prepare the site a
year prior to planting by removing any weeds and incorporating organic
matter into the soil. A soil
test can ascertain if further amendments are needed.
Remove any broken or damaged roots or vines and place the
grape in the soil at the depth it was at the nursery. Space plants at least 8
feet (2 m.) apart (4 feet, or 1 meter, apart for arbors) within and between
rows and mulch around the plants to retard weeds and retain moisture. Prune the
tops of the vines to a single cane.
During the first year, tie the vines to a stake to prevent
injury and to train the grapevine. Decide which method of training to use on
the vines. There are a number of methods, but the general idea is to prune
or train the vine to a single cordon bilateral system.
Harvesting Grapes
Growing grapevines requires a bit of patience. Like pretty
much any fruiting plant, it takes some time, three years or so, to establish
the plants and harvest any amount of fruit.
Harvest
grapes only after the fruit is fully ripe. Unlike other fruit, grapes do
not improve in sugar content post-harvest. It is best to taste the grapes
before harvesting, as they will often look ripe and yet their sugar content is
low. Grape quality declines rapidly once the sugar has peaked so it’s a rather
fine line when harvesting.
The amount of fruit yield will vary depending upon the
cultivar, age of the vine and climate.