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Have you already planted an herb garden or started growing blueberries? Maybe it’s time to move on to growing your own grapes. Learning how to plant grape vines is easy, and they produce fruit in early fall that everyone can enjoy.
Table grapes are delicious and growing different grape varieties is a fun project for the home gardener. They’re relatively easy to grow and are prolific producers once they’re established.
“Grapes don’t take up a lot of space, don’t need a lot of tending, and can live for decades,” says Gary Pilarchik of TheRustedGarden.com, and author of Growing An Edible Landscape. “They’re fast-growing, too, so by the second or third season, you’ll have fruit.”
Because most cultivars (cultivated varieties) are self-pollinating, you only need to grow one plant to get started, says Pilarchik. Grapes will grow in USDA Hardiness zones 4 to 10, so you can grow grapes in most regions of the country. (Find your hardiness zone here.)
Choose varieties that grow well in your area, says Pilarchik. There are three basic types: American (Vitis labrusca), European (Vitis vinifera), and muscadines (Vitis rotundifolia).
American types are the most cold-hardy, while European vines need a warm, dry Mediterranean climate and longer growing season. Muscadines are native North American grapes that grow well in the hot and humid South.
Hybrids of American and European grapes also have been developed. These grapes are cold-hardy and more pest-resistant to a destructive insect that decimated European vineyards in the 19th century.
Here’s what else you need to know about how to plant and grow grapes:
Grape Vine Highlights
- Common Name: Grapes
- Botanical Name: Vitis labrusca (American), Vitis vinifera (European), and Vitis rotundifolia (muscadines)
- Plant Family: Vitaceae
- Type of Plant: Vine
- Native Origin: Europe, North America, Asia
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Preferred Soil Type/pH Range: Well draining/ Slightly acidic to neutral (6 to 6.5)
- Mature Size: Varies depending on cultivar and pruning techniques
- Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10
What Kind of Grapes Should I Grow?
Common American grapes include Niagara, Concord, and Catawba. Common European grapes include Flame, Thompson, and ruby. Hybrids include Traminette, Cayuga, and Baco Noir. Your local university coop extension service (find yours here) may have additional suggestions for cultivars that grow well in your area.
How Do I Plant Grapes?
Find a sunny spot in your yard. All types of grapes need full sun, which is considered 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Make sure it’s an area where you don’t regularly use lawn chemicals. Grape vines are susceptible to damage from many common broadleaf herbicides, such as 2,4-D, dicamba and others.
Plant grapes in early spring when they are dormant to help them put their energy into developing a strong root system. You can buy bare root grapes (with no soil attached) or container pots. If you’re planting bare roots, soak the roots for a few hours prior to planting.
Dig a deep hole to accommodate roots of bare root plants. You want to stretch the roots out vertically in the hole. For container plants, set them in the hole about the same level as they are in the pot, says Pilarchik. If planting more than one vine, plant them about 6 to 8 feet apart in the row.
Grapes aren’t heavy feeders. You can mix compost or a handful of a balanced organic granular fertilizer into the hole if you like, however.
Add the plant and backfill the soil, tamping down firmly. Spread a handful of fertilizer on top of the soil about a foot or two away from the vine. Water well, then regularly for the first season, especially during dry spells.
How Do I Care for Grapes?
Grapes need about an inch of water per week for the first two years; after that, they are fairly drought-tolerant. Water the root zone, saturating a 3 x 3 area with five gallons of water for one inch of water. Keep the area weeded so the vine doesn’t have to compete for nutrients and moisture.
Otherwise, the first year, you mostly just let them grow, says Pilarchik. In subsequent years, you’ll need to prune the vines to ensure they stay healthy and productive. Every spring, add compost or sprinkle a handful of balanced granular fertilizer about a foot away from the trunk.
How Do I Prune Grapes?
Annual pruning is a necessity because grapes produce on vines that are a year old. That’s why you need to prune to remove older growth to ensure new growth every year. Pruning is done when the vines are dormant, usually in late winter to early spring, says Pilarchik.
During the first year, prune out all but the best single cane, which eventually will be the central trunk. There are many different ways to trellis, but the simplest is to start with a stake. Tie the cane stake to hold it erect with twine or loosely attached with galvanized wire.
In subsequent years, you’ll train branches laterally onto a T-shaped trellis or other support. Every time you prune, you should leave behind only the permanent main trunk and growth that is a year old.
To get more detailed instructions about pruning vines, contact your local university coop extension service. It’s not complicated but learning how to do it properly will keep your vines healthy and productive, says Pilarchik.
Fast Growing Trees 'Carlos' Muscadine Grape, 1-gallon container
'Summit' Muscadine Grapes, 3-gallon container
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
