How to Plant Grapes

If you are interested in learning how to plant grapes, the first step you should take to find a source of bare root grape plants or grape cuttings for the varieties you are interested in growing (you can learn about different wine grape varieties by reading the earlier post on Grapes and Wine). There are many ways to obtain cuttings - if you have a family or friend with a vineyard, they will more than likely be happy to share some cuttings with you. However, if this is not the case, there are some excellent online companies that supply bare root grape plants of many different varieties. If you are interested in growing grapes for both eating and wine, you will likely need at least two varieties. If you are interested in making both red and white wine, you'll need at cuttings for each as well. Each plant should produce several pounds of grapes each year, although those who have been using Wium's Complete Grape Growing System report harvesting as much as 45 pounds per grape plant!

Once you have decided what kind of grapes your will be growing and where you will get you plants from, you next step is to layout your vineyard. You will need to construct a trellis to grow your grape to grow on in order to have the most successful grape harvest. You should orient the rows and the trellis to run from north to south, to get the most sunlight for your grapes. Grape are generally planted at least five feet apart in the ground along the length of the trellis, although some recommend you plant them as far as eight feet apart. The strongest tendril will need to then be tied to the trellis using a soft material (such as string). Grape plants need to be watered well the first few months as they start to get established.

The steps you take your first year are very important to have a successful future harvest. If you are interested in learning more about the best methods of trellis building, selecting, pruning and maintaining your grapes, I highly recommend you get a hold of the complete Grape Growing System developed by Danie Wium. It will teach you everything you need to produce fine grapes quickly on your newly planted vines, and has phenomenal results.

Return to the main page for more articles about how to grow grapes for eating and wine.