Grow Well Guides

Grapes

Grapes have been grown by humans for millennia, and given how delicious they are (not to mention the invention of wine) it's not hard to see why. Once established, their vigorous vines produce a mass of delicious fruit. They can be grown along a fence, over trellis or up a pergola and will provide delicious fruit and delightful shade right in the heat of summer. The foliage turns bright colours in autumn adding a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden.

Planting Calendar

Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring

Grapes like hot and dry climates, which is why spring and summer are considered to be the ideal time for planting grapevines.

Harvest In

3 - 4 Years

Grapes start producing fruit after 3-4 years. It is best to pick grapes on a warm, sunny day as the grapes will have the highest sugar content and will store better if they do not have any surface moisture. Hold a bunch of grapes in one hand and snip the whole bunch off the vine with sharp garden pruners or scissors

Prepare

Grapevines will need a structure to climb upon. Make sure this is sturdy as larger vines become woody and heavy over time. A pergola, fence or large trellises are ideal.

Position

Best grown in an open position in full sun, with good air circulation. They need to be protected from strong winds. Grapes have a deep taproot, so they are best planted into the ground instead of a large container.

Soil

Grapes like a deep free draining soil that is rich in organic matter with a PH of around 5.8-6.8 To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. If you have compact or clay soil, mix your original soil in with 1 part compost and 1 part pumice sand, and plant in a slight mound.

Plant

Gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Kings Nature Organic Fertiliser, then mix together. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay.

Care

Watering

Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. Consider setting up an automatic watering system – these can be simple and inexpensive. Continue to water well once mature vines start setting fruit for juicy grapes at harvest time.

Feeding

When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, as this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. In addition, dress with Kings Natures Organic fertiliser every 8 weeks through the growing season.

Protecting

Protect ripe fruit from birds by covering with bird netting.

Mulching

Mulch around the base of the plants (make sure that the mulch does not come into direct contact with the stem of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to retain moisture.

Spraying

Grapes need a regular spray program to protect against fungal condition and pest attack. To Control fungal Disease, spray with Kiwicare Organic Super Sulphur. Timing is crucial, spray at bud swell & then at 14 day intervals as required. To control and protect against insect pests spray with Bugtrol.

Pruning

For good crop production it is essential to prune and train grapes annually. Prune annually, usually in winter before the leaves emerge. Train stems along wires or a pergola. In the first winter after planting choose the longest and strongest stem to keep as the main trunk, prune away all other stems. Start training two shoots along the wires, (these will become the arms) one in each direction, thus forming a T shape. Yearly after that remove all the growth from the T shape vine, but leave some 2 bud stubs 30cm along the arms. Next winter remove the cane produced by the top bud and cut the bottom cane down to a two-bud stub again.

General Care

When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.

Beginner Tip

When spraying it is better to spray for prevention rather than for cure.

Expert Tip

Very cold or windy conditions during flowering can result in lower yield and fruit drop.

Tip

As the fruit begin to ripen, cover with Bird netting to stop birds stealing your fruit.

Top Varieties

Albany Surprise

Albany Surprise

Produces very sweet bunches of black grapes. This variety is not seedless. Harvesting is mid season from March to early April.

Candice Seedless

Candice Seedless

This seedless variety produces bunches of red grapes with a delicate flavour. Harvest mid season March to early April.

Lakemont Seedless

Lakemont Seedless

This seedless variety produces crisp, juicy sweet green grapes early in the season from late February to mid March.

Niagara

Niagara

A mild to sweet-tasting green grape, medium fruit containing seeds. Harvesting period is from February to March.

Schuyler

Schuyler

A very sweet tasting black grape, with a slight current tang, containing seeds. Harvesting period is from February to March.

Buffalo

Buffalo

A sweet bluish-black large grapes can also be made into jam or wine. Harvesting period is from March to April.

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