Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Grapes need full sun and well-drained soil to give their best fruit. Pruning the vines each year
allows the grapes to stay healthy and productive. It is possible for grapes to overproduce their root
systems, with too much cane, leaf, and fruit growth that ultimately destroy the plant. Grapes don't
need heavy fertilizing, so just top the soil off yearly with compost and a good mulch.
This newly planted grape vine will need lots of watering the first year or two as it becomes established.
After that it will need less watering, but a lot more pruning!
When harvesting grapes you usually cut the entire fruit cluster at once, and leave the grapes on
their individual stems. Muscadines are the exception to this and sometimes ripen over time instead
of all at once. Grapes will ripen from July through September depending on region and type.
Over the Garden Fence
Various grapes are susceptible to black rot fungal disease, which is best prevented with good pruning
and cleanup of debris. Downy mildew is a problem in wet and humid climates. And of course, as with any
delicious fruit, there are pests who enjoy eating them as well. Your county extension office should be your
first stop in finding out what you can expect in your area.
Pruning grapes is relatively easy. Allow one or two main branches to form, and limit cane growth
from there. Each year you'll cut back the previous year's growth to about 12 to 18 inches. There are
a few different ways that grapes can be pruned, and it will mostly depend on where you're growing
the grape vines. Just keep in mind that you want to prune away the bulk of last year's growth in
late winter or early spring and you'll be okay. Check out BackyardFarmingGuide.com for specific
examples of pruning grapes.
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