Grapes are quickly becoming a popular fruit to grow in the backyard. Whether you desire the look of decorative bunches or the taste of the sweet, juicy treats, with over 20,000 varieties, there are now grapes that can be grown in nearly every climate. With a little extra care and attention to the growing process, you’ll be rewarded with elegant beauty and a taste that can’t be topped. 

Before You Plant 

Choose the Right Type: 

• There are many varieties of grapes and finding the one that matches your climate, soil and growing conditions is key. This one step can make or break your grape growing success.
• Consider insects that may eat the grapes and when they are most prominent. For example, if you have a large number of wasps in the fall, you will want an early-ripening grape.
• If you are unsure of what varieties will grow in your area, research online or visit a local vineyard and see what types they grow.
• If no one in your area grows grapes, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be grown. Do your research and choose a variety that best fits your situation. 

Find a Suitable Place: 

• This should be an area that both air and soil drain away effectively. Many varieties of grapes are unable to handle the frost, so you want the cool air and water to flow away from your planting area. Sometimes this can be achieved by simply planting the grapes on an elevated area.

• Grapes prefer full sun, so find an area that has little or no shade. 

Prepare the Soil: 

• Grapes need rich soil to grow in. Before you plant, prepare the soil with plenty of organic matter, especially fish fertilizer. Avoid chemical fertilizers as they contain a high level of nitrogen, something that grapes don’t need. Some may choose to mix the organic matter into the soil, or you can lay it on top and allow the worms, soil and insects naturally mix the materials. 

Planting/Growing 

What You Will Need:  

• Grapevine (with roots established)
• Small shovel or spade
• Trellis
• Copper wire or string 

Steps for Planting: 

1. When you have chosen a variety that meets your needs and is able to thrive in your area and you have prepared the soil, you are ready to plant your vine.
2. Fortunately, planting grape vines is not difficult at all. Simply dig a small hole in the ground (try not to damage the structure of the soil any more than necessary) and insert the roots of the vine.
3. Fill the remainder of the hole with the loose soil.
4. Cover with mulch.
5. Grapevines will need a trellis or other support for growth. You will need to train your vine by starting it straight up the trellis. Allow secondary vines to branch out further. It may be necessary to tie the vine to the trellis to start out with.
6. Find out whether the variety of grapes that you are planting is self-pollinating. If it is not, you will need to plant a pollinizer nearby. A pollinizer is a plant that is planted nearby that provides the pollen necessary to produce fruit.
7. After the first month, will need to water your grapevines during droughts only. Grapes do not require frequent waterings. 

Growing/Pruning 

Pruning your grapevines is the most important part of this “art.” Pruning allows you to manage the plant, regulate the size of the crop and adjust the quality of the fruit. 

What You Will Need: 

• Clippers / lopping shears 

Learning When and How to Prune: 

1. The art of pruning is developed over time and is affected mostly by your desired outcome. Here are some pruning times, each with different outcomes:

• Summer Pruning to Increase Fruit Growth: Trim back vines when they have exceeded 2-3 feet of growth. This directs the energy back into the fruit, rather than plant growth, making a sweeter, more productive crop.
• Fall Pruning: These prunings are not recommended and should only be done if you are sure there will be no warm spells that would allow growth before winter. Typically it is best to wait and do a winter pruning.
• Winter/Spring Pruning: Most plants are pruned in late winter to allow for new growth. The key to this is pruning early enough that new growth has not already begun and late enough that no new growth will form before a frost. If this happens, it will lead to freeze damage which is dangerous for your grapevines. It is often best to prune no more than one month before the last frost.
• Lateral shoots (those growing to the side) are not fruitful and should be removed. Only keep these shoots if you need them to grow onto the trellis for support.
• Prune new shoots way back the first few years to encourage growth of the main vine.
• Keep the first 6-12 buds on the cane, these produce the fruit, and trim back the rest unless they are needed for trellis support.
• Prune any brown or brittle buds as they have been winter damaged and need to be removed.
• Prune away enough of the vine to allow plenty of air and sunlight to reach the fruit and vines.

2. Pruning is a detailed process, there are even books devoted to pruning grapevines. Here are some basic rules to get you started.

3. Harvest your grapes when the grape at the bottom of the bunch is sweet. If some of the grapes are not fully ripened, they can be ripened by setting in the sun for a day or two. 

Additional Tips and Advice 

1. Grapevines make beautiful decorations. Use your trimmings to make wreaths or other decorative pieces. This is best done while the vines are wet and easy to bend. They will stiffen as they dry.
2. Want to make raisins? Remove all stems and place the seedless grapes on a pan or screen in the sun. This will take several days, so watch out for animals and other critters. Move to a safe location, often inside, during the night and any rain.

Starting a vineyard is no small task, but is one that can reap big rewards. With careful planning and execution, you can ensure that your vineyard will provide abundant crops for many years.

Before You Plant

Select the Right Site:

There are many factors to consider when choosing the perfect place for your vineyard.

• Climate – Take a close look at the high/low temperatures and frost-free periods for your area. Factors such as wind and altitude are also important to note. These factors help in determining where your vineyard will prosper.
• Sunlight – Grapes require sun to grow well. Find an area that is away from trees and other shade-producing plants.
• Soils – The quality of the soil in the area is another key factor. Consider the fertility, types of soils, drainage and the depth of the soil.
• Water – This includes both the quality as well as water sources. How much water is available from wells, etc. in the area and what irrigation options are available?
• Field Size – How large will your vineyard be? Determine this early on when you decide which grapes you plan to grow and how much room they will require.
• Wineries – Ultimately, you’ll want to produce wine from your grapes. If you are not completing this yourself, how close is the nearest winery?
• Other factors – Agricultural zoning and regulations, sources of power and cost of the land are other considerations that need to be thought out when choosing a place to start your vineyard.

How to Select Grapes:

There are four major types of grapes grown around the world:

1. Vitis Vinifera
2. Vitis Lubrusca,
3. Hybrids of these two
4. Vitis Rotoundifolia.

Research which type will grow best in your location and/or visit local vineyards to see what types of grapes grow well in your area.

Prepare the Soil:

• Remove the top layer of dirt, including all weeds and roots, and discard.
• Till the soil thoroughly to provide loose, workable ground for planting.

Planting Vines

What You Will Need:

• Grapevine (with roots established)
• Small shovel or spade
• Trellis or grape arbor
• Copper wire or string
• Plastic mesh
• Potting soil
• Fertilizer (10-20-10)

How to Plant Grapes:

1. Begin by marking the rows by making 3-4 inch grooves through the loosened soil.
2. Next, place stakes where each grapevine will be planted. Space plants 6-8 feet apart.
3. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the pot that your vines are planted in and slightly deeper.
4. Mix potting soil with the original soil and place a small amount of the mixture into the hole.
5. Water the bottom of the hole as well as the plant in the pot prior to planting.
6. Place the grapevine into the hole and fill in with remaining soil mixture.
7. Water regularly during dry conditions, but do not allow the plants to become water-logged as this can lead to root rot.
8. Fertilize the vines twice each year around the base (at least six inches out), do not allow fertilizer to get too close or it may burn the plant. Water the area to release the fertilizer.
9. Plants will begin to grow in the spring, if planted in the fall. If you are planting in the spring, you will see some growth, but most likely will not have grapes for another year or two.

Year Two:

1. This year you want to begin training the vines where to grow. This is accomplished by tying them to the trellis or posts in the direction they should grow.
2. When fruit begins to grow, add plastic mesh over the plants to prevent birds from eating them.

Pruning/Harvesting Grapes

Pruning your grapevines is the most important part of this ‘art.’ Pruning allows you to manage the plant, regulate the size of the crop and adjust the quality of the fruit.

What You Will Need:

• Clippers / lopping shears

Learning When and How to Prune:

1. The art of pruning is developed over time and is affected mostly by your desired outcome. Here are some pruning times, each with different outcomes:
   • Summer Pruning to Increase Fruit Growth: Trim back vines when they have exceeded 2-3 feet of growth. This directs the energy back into the fruit, rather than plant growth, making a sweeter, more productive crop.
   • Fall Pruning: These prunings are not recommended and should only be done if you are sure there will be no warm spells that would allow growth before winter. Typically it is best to wait and do a winter pruning.
   • Winter/Spring Pruning: Most plants are pruned in late winter to allow for new growth. The key to this is pruning early enough that new growth has not already begun and late enough that no new growth will form before a frost. If this happens, it will lead to freeze damage which is dangerous for your grapevines. It is often best to prune no more than one month before the last frost.
2. Pruning is a detailed process, there are even books devoted to pruning grapevines. Here are some basic rules to get you started.
   • Lateral shoots (those growing to the side) are not fruitful and should be removed. Only keep these shoots if you need them to grow onto the trellis for support.
   • Prune new shoots way back the first few years to encourage growth of the main vine.
   • Keep the first 6-12 buds on the cane, these produce the fruit, and trim back the rest unless they are needed for trellis support.
   • Prune any brown or brittle buds as they have been winter damaged and need to be removed.
   • Prune away enough of the vine to allow plenty of air and sunlight to reach the fruit and vines.
3. Harvest your grapes when the grape at the bottom of the bunch is sweet. If some of the grapes are not fully ripened, they can be ripened by setting in the sun for a day or two.