I'm getting grapes--any tips?

[Ariel301]

A friend of mine was putting an order in with a seed catalog, and I browsed through it and decided to add some things of my own in with her order since they had some great sales. Among other things, I chose a collection of three different kinds of grapes, 2 year old plants. It was only $7.50 for three, I thought that was a good deal! One is concord, and I don't remember the others, but it was a red one and a green one. Too bad their blackberry plants were expensive still, or I might have gotten a little carried away.

I've never grown grapes before. If anyone else does, any helpful advice you have on caring for them would be appreciated.

Now I have to decide where I want to plant them!

 

[wifezilla]

I have grape plants. I use one to cover a trellis.

They are tough plants so you really shouldn't have to worry about them much. Just look up tips on pruning them. That is the important part.

 

[vfem]

Also what is your Zone?! Some will do better then others... I live in one of the worse places for grapes... pretty much only muscadine and concord grapes do well for us.

Like Wifezilla said, try to find you a good article or book on pruning grapes. That should be about it.

Oh, and patience!!!

 

[wifezilla]

What's the old saying about grapes? Something about the vine has to suffer for the grapes to thrive?

Here is a blog I found...
http://www.stevensyard.com/2009/07/get-your-grape-on.html

 

[Greenthumb18]

I have grapes also, i'm actually thinking of planting other varieties from grape plants that are at fruiting size. But yes read up on pruning, this is important when growing grapes. Be sure to choose a good sunny site for your grapes.

 

[countrywife]

Also what is your Zone?! Some will do better then others... I live in one of the worse places for grapes... pretty much only muscadine and concord grapes do well for us.

Like Wifezilla said, try to find you a good article or book on pruning grapes. That should be about it.

Oh, and patience!!!

I am a bit south of you. Never heard of a muscadine till I moved here, I hate those things! . Do love the concord for jelly though, planting a couple of my own this year.

 

[boggybranch]

Here ya go.......


http://www.stevensyard.com/2009/07/get-your-grape-on.html


Oops...WifeZ done took care of this....still great info

 

[ducks4you]

Also what is your Zone?! Some will do better then others... I live in one of the worse places for grapes... pretty much only muscadine and concord grapes do well for us.

Like Wifezilla said, try to find you a good article or book on pruning grapes. That should be about it.

Oh, and patience!!!

No, I live in one of the worst places for grapes--I've killed TWO already!!! AND, they were baby grapes--I'm a KILLER!!!!!

You see, one of my old 5 concord vines died, and I've tried to put in a new one in the same place--TWICE!!! I'm going to try only ONE MORE TIME, this year. I'm going to grow it in a large pot, move it to the enclosed porch for the winter and NOT put it into the ground until it's a foot tall.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i planted 3 of the same type of grapes within a few feet of each other one year and 14 years later only one has taken off. the other 2 died within that first year.

just a reminder even on buying grape vines already started. it can take quite a few years after planting to get your first few grapes. if they were started from seeds they usually take almost 10 years to start producing. if they were from cuttings from mature vines they will take less time to mature.

if you are in a cold area like here in NH, seedless varieties can still produce seeds. concord grapes seem to do well in almost all areas i've noticed.

 

[ducks4you]

Thanks, Chickie'sMomaInNH !!

It's nice to know that it isn't me--like, I don't smell bad or carry some grape disease...