When to Sow
Additional Details
How to Grow Grape Vines
Preparation Grape vines are very easy to grow and give enormous pleasure. Vines can grow at great speed and some varieties have tendril clinging growths as well as normal fruiting growth.
It is important from the outset to ensure that there is adequate room to grow a vine as they can become intrusive if not properly controlled. Choose a site which will receive the maximum sunlight from mid-morning until late afternoon. It does not matter if the vine roots are planted in the shade, so long as the vine can quickly grow into the sunny position. Without a good sunny position, vines will not fruit properly and the grapes do not ripen fully.
It must be remembered that a form of trellis or supporting wires must be erected prior to the vine being planted so that it can be trained and controlled.
Planting Plant the vine 20cm deep in a very well prepared soil. Whilst the soil can be stony it should also be very fertile soil. The addition of well-rotted manure or garden compost will help considerably. If possible the roots should be in a shady position. Surrounding plants can give this environment. Always water very well immediately after planting.
Training For the best fruits, it is very important to control the growth of the vine. Either one or two shoots may be allowed to grow from the main stem of the young vine. These should be tied into the wires or frame which will support the vine for its life. From these main stems, side shoots will grow out which in the second year will carry blossom and eventually fruits. The main stems will always form the vine for its lifetime. The side or lateral shoots will be replaced every three or four years by allowing new shoots to grow in their place.
Feeding Grapes are very hungry plants and require considerable amounts of nitrogen to support the large amount of growth. Regular applications of high nitrogen fertiliser should be applied three or four times a year starting in mid-April.
Watering It is not usually necessary to water vines except for the year of establishment when the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
Pruning It is important that vines are pruned every year both to control the plant which can become invasive and also to ensure that regular crops of good fruits are produced. There are many good publications on vine pruning and these should be consulted and followed.