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How to grow
Grapes -Planting
Site selection
Site selection is vital in establishing
either a vineyard or just a few vines for personal consumption.
- Sunny location is best.
- Well drained soil is best.
- Poor drainage with standing water
following precipitation should be avoided.
- If possible plant your vines at
the peak of a slope.
- Prevailing wind direction
- Planting the grape vine parallel with the
prevailing winds, slows down the wind speed
Site Preparation
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Soil
preparation should include
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Land leveling
where possible
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Correction of
drainage problems
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Adjustment of
fertility and pH.
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Elimination
of perennial weeds prior to planting
It is preferable to plant in a row that goes in a
north–south direction, rather than an east-west
direction. They will receive more exposure to sunlight
than in an east–west row. You should always expose as
many leaves to full sunlight as possible ,This helps to
ensure optimum photosynthesis, as well as pest and
disease control . Sites that are on sloping highs may
require contour planting or straight rows across the slope
at expense of the North - South factor. If you are only
planting 2 or 3 vines the compass orientation is not really
a factor.
How to grow
Grapes -Training and Trellising.
Training and pruning of
grapevines to achieve a healthy plant and Hearty harvest are vital. For
optimal productivity, they should be trained to a definite system and
pruned frequently. There are several training/trellising systems used. The two
most
common, and the suggested methods for home growers are the Vertical Trellis and
the Overhead Arbor - Both are satisfactory for a home
planting scheme if kept well pruned.
Vertical Trellis
If a landscaped
appearance is not an issue, a simple
vertical trellis made of fence posts and
wire should suffice. Drive fence posts
into the ground - steel , wood, plastic
.. - at the desired location. You may
want to place the posts in concrete if
planning for the long term. String wires
between the posts, being sure to leave
adequate space for airflow and light
penetration. Leave a small amount of
play in the wire, they shouldn't be
stretched taught, nor so loose that the
vines will drag them down.
Overhead
Arbor
The above scheme can also
be use with Arbor except that the wires
are strung overhead
Arbors in
home gardens are generally frame
structures which are relatively simple
to construct. Build a basic framework
and affix latticework to one or more of
the sides. Train grapevines to climb up
and over the latticework . Eventually
the foliage will thicken, providing
shelter on hot, sunny days. Just
watch for Bees ....
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How to grow
Grapes -
Pruning
Pruning should be done
when the vines are dormant. Where there
is danger of winter injury, pruning can be delayed until very early spring. Vines
pruned in late spring generally bleed excessively.
How to grow Grapes -
Fertilizer
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First
Season
In the home
garden, 1 ounce of ammonium nitrate per vine should be
applied the spring of first season when growth begins.
Spread the fertilizer in an arc around the plant - about
10 inches from the base. Repeat the application 6 -8
weeks later. { 2 to 3 oz. per vine depending on vine and
row spacing in the first season is
adequate}. Avoid concentrating fertilizer
near the plants base as grapes are very
susceptible to fertilizer burn.
Fertilizer applications should cease by the
3rd week in July at the latest in order to
allow new growth to properly mature before
Autumn.
Second
Season
The second
season, just before growth begins , apply 4 ounces in a
4-foot circle around each vine , about 12 - 14 inches
from the trunk. Apply the same amount the third year. A
mixed fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, applied at twice the
rate {8 ounces} may be substituted where phosphorus and
potassium are required.
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Fertilizer applications in subsequent years, once the
vines are fully bearing should be based on the growth
and vigor of the plant. If the average cane growth is
only 3 feet or less, additional nitrogen may be needed.
A spring application of manure is helpful in providing
nutrients and organic matter to established vineyards.
If proper
pruning practices are followed and the competition from
weeds is kept to a minimum, you probably won't need to
go beyond the amount used in the third year.
Understanding Fertilizer Labels
A Guide to Fertilizing Grapes - Agronomic Library
{PDF}
Fertilizer grape vines - Garden Library
How to grow
Grapes -Soil Ph
Soil pH is referred to as the
acidity
of the soil and is measured by the number of
Hydrogen ions present in the soil solution.
When the soil pH is too acidic (low pH) or
alkaline (high pH), nutrients present in the
soil become locked-up or unavailable.
Correcting the pH has the same effect as
applying fertilizer as it unlocks plant
nutrients already present, and it is more cost
effective as well.
The preferred
pH before establishing a new vineyard is 6.5 on sandy
soils and 6.0 on clay soils.
The soil Ph
should never be allowed to rise to 7.0, as it will
generally create a potassium deficiency.
Soil pH For
Garden Vegetables and Ornamental Plants
How to grow Grapes -Cultivation
Cultivate until early July to help control weeds and prevent
disease. To avoid root damage, do not cultivate deeper than
2". Cultivation after July increase susceptibility to winter
injury; use mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds at
this point. Wood chips, grass clippings or leaves make an
excellent mulch.
How to grow
Grapes -
Harvesting
Grapes change color long before they are totally mature,
so color alone is insufficient in determining when they have
reached their peak in flavor, size, and sweetness.
Taste them first, that's why you grew them right - if
they're to your satisfaction ... Bon Apetit
Most varieties should be used immediately because they do
not keep well after ripening. Cut the clusters off with a
knife or shears to avoid bruising the fruit and damaging the
vine. Muscadine varieties, which grow either singly or in
smaller, loose clusters can be shaken off easily when ripe.
The storage life of grapes is relatively short, so they
should be used or preserved ASAP.
Homemade Grape Jelly and Jam
How
to Make Grape Conserves |
