Grapes are certainly a versatile fruit, which can be used to make wine, in baked goods, in jams or be eaten directly from the plant. Thanks to the ability to be grown in many places around the world, they are a great addition to any garden.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing for Sowing
Step 1. Choose a type of grape
As with any plant, some types of grapes grow best in certain areas and offer different flavors and looks. There are three general types of grapes: American, European and Muscat. American grapes grow best in warm, sunny climates such as those of central California. European grapes are common throughout Europe and the northernmost regions of the United States, and muscat grapes are commonly found in the southernmost regions of the United States.
- Within each general type of grape, there are many species to choose from that offer different flavors, colors, textures and sizes. Visit a local nursery to find one that suits your needs and the climate in your area.
- Choose strong, healthy looking plants that are one year old. If possible, ask for virus-free certification to ensure your plants grow healthy.
- Look for plants that have symmetrically distributed roots and whose branches are symmetrical.
Step 2. Prepare your vine cuttings
If you or a friend have a vine that you would like to plant from, you can cut a cutting and plant it in a new location. To use your own cuttings: Cut the section directly from the vine that was recently pruned. Make sure it is at least 3 knots long. At the end of the cutting, cut at an angle. Try to make a 45 ° cut, approximately 0.5 - 2 cm above the knot.
When using cuttings, plant as many as possible - in multiple locations - to maximize the odds of success. You can give away the excess plants
Step 3. Choose a suitable location
Vines are long-term plants that can live between 50 and 100 years. So make sure that the location you have chosen can accommodate the plant permanently and offers the right space. Vines grow best in hilly and sloping areas which offer excellent drainage and good exposure to sunlight. If possible, plant your vines on a sloping hillside on a south-facing hill, in an area devoid of trees or other large plants.
- In colder areas, be sure to plant the vines in a sunny area, preferably facing south. This can help prevent frost from crushing the vines.
- If you live in the southern hemisphere, north-facing slopes are sunnier.
Step 4. Prepare the ground
Vines don't grow well in all soil conditions, so make sure they're the right ones before planting them. Use slightly stony or sandy soil with a pH just above 7. Modify the soil to promote good drainage if necessary, as if the roots are too wet they will not allow for healthy plant growth.
- Test the soil pH with a home kit to determine if corrective measures need to be taken in anticipation of the plant.
- While it might seem counterintuitive to you, vines don't like soils that are too rich in nutrients. Avoid over-fertilized soils if possible, and ask the nursery staff for specific suggestions for the variety you have chosen.
Step 5. Prepare a trellis for your vines
Vines are climbing plants that grow vertically on a support structure. If you don't plant vines along a fence or other structure, build or purchase a trellis to support them. It is typically a wooden structure made from intertwined boards that allows the vines to grow around it, offering stable support.
- If you don't have the funds or the ability to purchase or make one, you can purchase some wooden lattice and wire to attach to your fence posts to make a simple homemade trellis,
- Don't use a single stake (as you might for tomato plants) as it won't be enough support for your vines when they grow.
Step 6. Learn the right time to plant
Wait for a frost-free day in late winter or early spring. You should prune the plants around this time in the following years. Contact an agronomist expert for exact dates to plant.
Part 2 of 2: Plant your own Vines
Step 1. Plant your vines
Depending on the species of the vines you are planting, you will need to keep a different distance between the plants. For American and European grapes, plant each vine 2-3 meters apart. Moscatine grapes require a lot more space, and you should plant them about 5 meters apart. Plant the cuttings in a trench covering the basal and middle shoots. The tallest shoot should be just above ground level. Firmly press the soil around the plant.
The planting depth will depend on the age and size of each individual plant. Do not bury the vine beyond the first shoot, but make sure the roots are completely covered by the soil
Step 2. Water your plants well
Vines do not like rain or an abundance of water, so keep an eye on the amount of water after the first watering. Water close to the roots so that most of the water is absorbed rather than evaporated. If it doesn't rain a lot in your area, set up a drip irrigation system directly at the roots to regularly give small amounts of water to your vines.
Step 3. Prune your screws
In the first year, you shouldn't let your vines produce ripe fruit, as they can damage young stems with their weight. Cut all fruit, as well as all branches except the stoutest one. In the following years, prune as required following popular local practices, and be sure to prune about 90% of the branches of the oldest vines.
Step 4. Pot them when they are inactive
Otherwise they would lose their resin, losing vigor. This phase usually occurs in late winter when it is no longer cold enough to freeze.
Step 5. Mulch around the vines
A layer of mulch around the plants will help regulate the soil temperature, retain water and reduce weeds.
Step 6. Apply pesticides as needed
Not many treatments will be needed, because the vines are naturally resistant. Keep weeds at bay by weeding them regularly by hand, and cover the vines with a net to protect them from birds if necessary. Ask an agronomist for advice on how to fight the vine moth. It is one of the few pests capable of ruining a grape crop.
- Make sure you plant the vines so they get enough air to prevent mold growth.
- Aphids can be a problem for vines; ladybugs are natural predators of aphids and will not harm your plants.
Step 7. Harvest your grapes when the time is right
The vines will not produce edible fruit for the first 1-3 years. When they appear, test their degree of ripeness by picking a few grains from different areas of the plant and tasting them. If the beans are sweet they are ready to be picked and eaten.
- Grapes will not continue to ripen after harvest so be sure not to harvest too early.
- Color and size are not necessarily indicative of fruit ripeness. Only pick the grapes when you have tasted them and are sure they are ready.
Advice
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Some popular wine grape varieties:
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Sangiovese
- If you have any questions about growing grapes, ask an agronomist for advice.
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Some popular types of table grapes:
- Thompson seedless
- Red Flame
- Concord for the jams
