How To Grow Grapes? Cultivation, Care And Fun Facts About the Grape Vines

Grape vines have been a part of my garden since the very beginning, and not only because I like the sweet, juicy taste and soft texture of these berry-like fruits, but also because they are so easy to grow. 

Discovering how to grow grapes was not something I had a hard time learning, while I have to acknowledge at the same time that caring might take a little time, but as someone who has grown grapes for years, I will take you through the easiest planting, care, and harvesting guide. 

What is Grape Vine? Explore this Woody Perennial Vine 

Much like the honeysuckle flower, the grapes are also a woody perennial vine that belongs to the Vitaceae family. Popularly consumed for their sweet and juicy flavour, grapes are essentially berries that are grown around a trellis and can survive for more than 40 years. 

This perennial woody vine is used to make wine and raisins and is considered extremely rich in vitamins C and K, which help in maintaining good immunity and fighting against various diseases.

Due to the wide range of cultivars, they are native to some places from the Mediterranean regions to Asia, with China being the largest producer of grapes. 

Before exploring how to grow grapes, look at the scientific classification of grapes for a better understanding of the fruit: 

Botanical name	Vitis vinifera
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Rhamnales
Family	Vitaceae Juss.
Genus	Vitis L.
Species	Vitis vinifera L.

How to Grow Grapes? Easy Planting Guide 

The easiest way grapes are grown is through bare roots, as they allow for a faster root establishment, but you can choose a cutting too, as they are a more cost-effective alternative. 

Regardless of the chosen medium, planting remains the same, and here is my simple and effective planting guide for growing a garden grape:

Image	Step
	Select the variety of grape you want to cultivate and buy bare root of the same.  First, cut off the cane for this root to encourage root development.
	Place the bare roots in water for at least 4-6 hours.  This process is done to keep the roots hydrated and get ready for planting.
	Now, dig up the chosen spot and add a layer of compost for added nutrition.  Dig a hole twice as large as the root to give enough space for root establishment.  Place the bare roots 8 inches deep in soil and fill back the space with soil, removing all the air pockets.
	Ensure that the spacing between all the plants is at least 6-8 inches to give enough space for them to grow.  Water the plant consistently to keep the soil moist, but look out for waterlogging, as that can lead to root rot.  Feed the plant with a 10-10-10 NPK fertiliser once initially in spring and once after blooming.

What are the Different Types of Grapes To Grow? 

Thompson Seedless, also known as Sultana, is the most widely grown and consumed grape variety worldwide. There are over more than 5,000 grape cultivars grown and available globally, many of which I was totally unaware of, just like the types of lettuce. 

Here are the 5 most famous varieties of grapes that everyone should know about: 

Image	Features
	Thompson Seedless  Native: Persia Shape: Oval  Colour: Light green Taste: Mildly sweet and juicy Type: Table grape
	Kyoho Native: Japan Shape: Round  Colour: Dark purple to black  Taste: Sweet  Type: Table grape
	Flame Seedless Native: California  Shape: Round  Colour: Deep red to bright pink  Taste: Sweet with a hint of tanginess  Type: Table grape
	Crimson Seedless  Native: California  Shape: Oval  Colour: Light red  Taste: Sweet with a tart finish  Type: Table grape
	Autumn Royal Native: California  Shape: Oval  Colour: Dark purple  Taste: Sweet with a hint of spice  Type: Table grape

What are the Ideal Conditions to Grow a Garden Grape? 

Once established, grapes are considered drought-tolerant, similar to the coneflower, and they also do not need a lot of attention, but while planting, make sure that they are provided with the following growing requirements: 

Soil Type	Sandy loam soil  pH- 5.5 – 7.0
Sunlight	6-8 hours of direct sunlight
Water	Frequently, keep the soil moist
Fertiliser	10-10-10 NPK balanced fertiliser
Planting	Early spring
Time to fruit	2-3 years

Also read: How to Grow Basil? Learn How to Plant This Culinary Herb in Your Garden

How to Care for a Garden Grape Vine? 

The best care tip for a grape vine is giving it good support, and I mean it when I say this, that a trellis will make or break the grape vine’s yield.  

The answer to how grapes grow in the healthiest way possible is to make sure all their growth requirements are taken care of, and to simplify that, here is the list of my top 3 care tips for grape vines:  

Training and Trellis 

The best type of trellis system depends on the type of grape, hence take a look and find the one that suits your grape variety: 

High cordon trellis system Two wooden posts are set up at a distance of at least 30 feet. A wire is horizontally connected to the post and the central stem in planted exactly in the middle of the post. The plant grows up to split when it reaches the wire. The vine is divided into two sides, which is called ‘training the vine.’ This is the best type for the American and hybrid varieties and is also used for Kiwi trees.

VSP trellis system  In the VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) trellis system, the wooden posts are placed beside each other. The vines grow vertically, as shown in the image. It offers benefits like simplifying pruning and managing. This type of system is the best for the upright growing variety, like the French variety.

Pest Infestations and Protection 

The grape vines are susceptible to pests like grape beetles, mealybugs and more that can damage the quality of the fruit and affect the growth of the vine.  

1. Grape Leafhopper: These small insects feed on the underside of the leaves and affect the fruit production. 

2. Melaybugs: They are small, white, soft insects that encourage the growth of the mould and affect the quality of the grapes. 

3. Japanese Beetles: Primarily affects the process of photosynthesis and affect the fruit quality. 

4. Spider Mites: They also reduce photosynthesis, causing yellowing of the leaves. 

Pest infestations are best managed by either using an insecticidal soap or Neem oil. Also, ensure not to have heavy usage of pesticides as they can reduce the natural enemies of these pests and disrupt the natural balance in the garden. 

Pruning 

1. The best time to prune the grape vine is in winter, ideally between January and March. 

2. Remove almost 80% of the previous year’s growth, as excessive growth significantly degrades the quality of the grapes. 

3. A little pruning in summer is also beneficial to maintain the shape of the vine by removing the dead parts. 

How to Harvest Grapes at the Right Time? 

Grapes are ready to be harvested from late summer to early fall, and I always pick them in summers, early in the morning, when they are the most flavourful. 

Follow the following steps to make sure you harvest the grapes at the right time and the right way: 

Image	Step
	Check the ripeness of the grapes by tasting them or pressing them gently.  I usually do a little taste test, as that is the most reliable option.
	Using a pair of garden snippers, remove each cluster of grapes individually.  Do not use your hands, as that can damage the entire vine.
	Refrigerate the grapes in perforated plastic bags immediately after harvesting.  Wash only before eating, as moisture can promote the growth of mould.

Lab Research and Findings About Grapes

Does eating grapes prevent cancer? There has been a lot of debate around grape extract’s anti-cancer potential, which is too high a claim. However, there is always a scientific stand for all the benefits of grapes. 

I researched a bit and found this lab research, which might be credible enough to trust. Take a look at what it has to say about grapes: 

Research summary box 1  Study year: 2007  Aim: To assess the effectiveness of Anthocyanin extracts of grapes against breast cancer cells Sample type: Concord grape extracts, Delphinidin and Breast epithelial cell line.  Key findings: The grape extract and the delphinidin significantly stopped the formation of breast cancer cells by protecting the noncancerous cells.  Grape extracts included compounds like quercetin that have chemoprotective qualities.  Hence, it was concluded that the consumption of grapes can be beneficial for protection against cancer.  Source: Journal of Medicinal Food

Note 

A research or a claim stating the anticancer potential of a particular food item does not take the relevance and importance of the real process of treatment away. 

Research is always a part of medical studies and can have its own limitations. Consult a physician for a better analysis.

5 Fun Facts About Grapes That Most People Don’t Know! 

Wines are made of grapes is probably something we all know by now, but I like to go down the rabbit hole and find out facts that many gardening enthusiasts might not know. 

Read these 5 interesting facts about grapes: 

1. The cultivation of grapes can be traced back to 65 million years ago. Feels like growing an Ancient berry!

2. “Age like a fine wine” is a popular phrase, but do you know that the majority of wines are meant to be consumed within 3 years only? 

3. Grapes are actually berries. 

4. Apart from wine, dried grapes are also used to make raisins. 

5. Do not plant grapes alongside the broccoli plant as they compete for the same nutrients and can affect each other’s growth. 

Concluding Remarks 

A grape vine is a garden staple in so many yards I have visited, and I do not know if it is the love for the fruit or the low-effort planting that comes with a beautiful aesthetic. 

Learning how to grow grapes is a truly humbling experience and a treat to watch. Not only has this journey taught me patience, but filled my garden with vines trailing over with a fruitful and juicy yield always ready to be picked year after year. 

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