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How To Grow Grapes
By Polly Hamilton
How to grow grapes:
Grapes are a delicious, easy to eat fruit that can be very expensive to buy. They are an easy fruit to grow though, and attractive to have in your garden! This article gives a few helpful hints on how to grow, prune and care for grapes. To learn how to grow grapes properly you should read a wide source of information, because there are many different methods out there!
How to grow grapes: Planting
Grapes need to be in sunlight for as long as possible, and they also need high temperatures. Choose north sides of buildings (or south for the northern hemisphere) and try to choose a place to plant your grape plant that is protected from strong winds. And don't plant your grapes in a damp, low-lying area as it won't encourage growth. Plant your grapes in early spring. But plants that have healthy root systems (and look generally healthy). When you plant grapes space them 1.8-2.4 meters (6-8 feet) apart. Trim any broken roots before planting. Dig large enough holes so that you won't have to bend or break any roots, this will hinder growth. Although they are very root heavy, you don't need to plant grape plants very deep. Put them at the same depth that they were when you took them out of their temporary soil. Don't just bung your grape plant in, either. Place it in the hole with its roots spread out. Make sure no roots are sticking out of your hole.
How to grow grapes: Caring for them
Some people choose to let their grapes grow freely. This still may yield fruit, but it's rarely as nice tasting and juicy as when you give your plant a bit of help. Once your grapes are planted cut them back to the two strongest canes and encourage them to grow upward with a stake. By the end of spring you want your strongest cane to be 1 meter (3 feet) tall. If neither of the two are tall enough, cut them back to buds again. While your two strongest canes are growing up, cut back all the suckers and buds at the base of the cane, they will just suck nutrients away from the stronger ones. Sprinkle nitrogen two weeks after your plant your grapes. Do the same at the beginning of every spring. Apply around ½ a kilogram (1 pound) per plant. If you are a keen grower, test your soil around every 4 years. Mulch is a great way to encourage growth; you are naturally feeding your grapes!
How to grow grapes: Pruning
The concept of pruning grapes if very simple: the more the better. If you don't prune your grape plant you will grow a large yield of poor tasting fruit. But if you prune heavily you will grow less fruit of a much higher quality. Be careful though because you can over prune which will leave you with no fruit. There is a simple rule to help out the less experienced: for wine grapes leave 20 to 30 buds per vine; for table, juice and jelly varieties leave 40 to 60 buds per vine.
How to grow grapes: Harvesting
Don't go by the color of your grapes to choose when to harvest. The best rule of thumb is the taste test, because they mature long after they change color. Grapes only improve on the vine, not once they are picked, so patience is most definitely a virtue for the grape grower.
See Also:
More info on how to grow grapes
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