Frequently asked grape growing questions...
This page contains some of the questions that you ask most often. If you don't find the answer to your question here, please visit our other resources at GrapeSeek
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Can I grow grapes from seeds?
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How many grapes will a grapevine produce?
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What type of soil is best for grapes?
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What should my soil pH be?
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How much sunshine do grapes need?
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Does sunlight have to fall on the grape bunches for them to ripen?
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How many grapes can I harvest from an acre of land?
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When should I plant grapes?
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How do I fertilize grapevines?
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How do I tell if my vines are healthy?
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How often should I water my vines?
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When do I prune my grapevines?
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How do I plant a new vine from a cutting?
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What care do my vines need in their first year?
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Should I weed around my vines?
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When do I harvest my grapes?
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How long can I store grapes?
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How do I decrease the acidity of my soil? (Lower pH)
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How do I increase the acidity of my soil?
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How do I prune grapevines?
Can I grow grapes from seeds?
You can grow grapes from seeds, but the resulting plant rarely if
ever resembles the parent vine. It is almost always a waste of
time.
How many grapes will a grapevine produce?
Grapes vary widely in their vigor but usually produce between 15 and 20 pounds of grapes in 3 to 4 years when pruned and spaced a few feet apart
from each other. An old vine allowed to grow much larger will produce much
more.
What type of soil is best for grapes?
Grapes do well on a variety of soils. A sandy loam is probably the best for producing healthy vines, but good drainage, good drainage,(not a typo) is the most important consideration.
What should the pH of my soil be?
A pH in the range of 5.5 to 7.0 is ideal for most varieties.
How much sunshine do grapes need?
Grapevines will flourish with a reasonable amount of sunshine, but they will need full sunshine in most cases to produce grapes with a high enough sugar content to produce wine.
Does sunlight have to fall on grape bunches for them to ripen?
No. The pigmentation and ripeness of grapes is a product of the sun shining on the leaves of the vine. (Try placing a kraft bag over a cluster of grapes once they have set fruit, and in the fall you'll have ripe grapes, even though they spent the season
in darkness)
How many grapes can I harvest from 1 acre of land?
Depending on the variety you plant, you can generally expect 10,000lbs. per acre.
When should I plant grapes?
Potted grapes can be planted at any time, but bare root grapes must be planted while the vines are still dormant. Late fall is when most suppliers ship bare rooted vines.
How do I fertilize my grapevines?
Grapevines respond well to 10-10-10 fertilizer or well rotten manure or compost. Fertilize in early spring and again about a month later, but do not fertilize past mid summer. Your vines need to enter dormancy at a normal time in fall or they will
receive greater than normal winter damage.
How do I tell if my vines are healthy?
Healthy vines have a distance of about 6 inches between leaf nodes (where the stem of the leaf is attached to the vine)
How often should I water my vines?
Grapevines should only be watered when they are initially planted, during the first few weeks after planting, and thereafter only in time of extreme drought. Over watering will cause many varieties of grapes to split, and water too often on the leaves
of the vine can cause problems with a variety of fungus diseases. Always apply water to the base of the vines only.
When do I prune my grapevines?
Grapevines are usually pruned when the vines are completely dormant between late fall and early spring, depending on your local climate.
How do I plant a new vine from a cutting?
It's fairly simple. When the vine is dormant in fall, cut a section of cane which is 14 to 18 inches long and at least 1/4 inch thick at the small end with a sharp knife. The bottom cut is usually made parallel to the cane just below a bud or node.
The top cut is made at a 45 degree angle and 3/4 to 1 inch above the top bud. Bury this in the soil (ensuring it is not upside down) and pack the soil firmly around the base. Leave an inch or two of the cane sticking out of the ground but loosely cover
it with topsoil, taking care not to damage the uppermost bud/s on the cane. If you water the cutting well, new cane/s will push their way through the soil when the next growing season begins. NOTE: This will only work with canes of healthy and
vigorous grape varieties, and also, some grapevines (if the parent vine was growing on grafted rootstock) may not survive at your location.
What care do my vines need during the first year?
New vines should be lightly fertilized in spring and early summer, be given water for the first few weeks and if the vines produce grapes low on the vine, they should be pinched off to enable the vine to put its energy into root and vine growth. You
will have a much healthier and productive vine in three years if you strictly limit the grape production for the first few years.
Should I weed around my vines?
For the first few years, vines should be kept weed free. Later, you should keep the ground as bare as possible to allow the soil to heat up in cold regions, or in warmer areas you can allow a short ground cover to grow. In temperate areas, many
vintners allow a nitrogen fixing plant to grow between the vines such as white clover.
When do I harvest my grapes?
Grapes should only be picked when you are absolutely certain that they are ripe. They will not ripen any further once picked.
How long can I store grapes?
Grapes can usually be stored for several weeks at refrigerated temperatures.
How do I decrease my soil acidity?
Add dolomitic limestone to the ground in autumn.
How do I increase my soil acidity?
Add well rotten manure, or try a soil acidifying fertilizer.
How do I prune my vines?
For a complete description of pruning and diagrams, clink anywhere you see this pruning link to
visit the University of Missouri's page about pruning.
Frequently asked questions about grapes and grape growing (Top of Page)
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