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Posted: Nov/06/2007 8:19 AM PST
I'm thinking about ordering some grape vines for this spring. And while I'm planning on reading grape growing books, I'm wondering if anyone here has real-life grape growing experience/advice that they could share. Some particular things that I'm wondering about -- I'm leaning towards buying 3 year old grapevines, as I don't want to have to wait so long for them to start bearing fruit. If I were to plant a 3 year old vine in the spring, would it possibly bear a little fruit that season?? Or do you have to get 4 year old vines (if there be such a thing for sale  )?? Do you prune the vines differently depending on how old they are? How many grapevines do you have? Have any of you tried making wine from your grapes? How do you train them?? Trellises/arbors? Any other advice or experience that you could share would be much appreciated. Thank you.
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Posted: Nov/09/2007 5:42 AM PST
Nothing??  Maybe I should have said: Grape growers, please Help Me so I don't make a complete mess of everything!! It's okay. I guess I'll just stick my nose in some books and pray that whatever grapevines I plant don't die.
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Posted: Nov/09/2007 9:06 AM PST
It's frustrating when no one answers, isn't it?! If I knew someone who grew grapes, I'd hustle them in here for you, but I can't think of anyone! |
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Posted: Nov/10/2007 5:26 AM PST
Thank you, both.  I'm glad to know that they're pretty goof-proof. That gives me more confidence to go ahead and try it. 1 whole year of waiting!! Gee, and I thought I was a pretty patient person. I guess that will give me time to read wine-making books too. I'm so amazed at the patience that farmers and gardeners who have been doing it for a long time have. Maybe gardening will exorcise the consumer out of me.
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Posted: Nov/13/2007 10:34 AM PST
Yes, the waiting part is a bit of a chore/challenge for me. It's okay, though. I found some jumbo blueberry bushes at a reasonable price that will produce the first year, so I'll have something to pick while the grapevines are establishing themselves. I'm planning on making a whole edible landscape.
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Posted: Jan/03/2008 6:56 PM PST
I too am looking for information about growing grapes. Two years ago I inherited a grape vine root that my great-grandparents brought over from Italy long long ago. Grandpa made wine with the grapes. We live in zone 6. So far I have planted the vine and when it is really dry, it gets watered but that is the extent of it. This year are going to put up a permenant trellis for it. There are usually a couple of bunches of grapes on the vine each year. Any suggestions of books to read? |
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Posted: Jan/03/2008 9:46 PM PST
I think i grow grapes? birds(?) planted the seeds. the wind blows off the leaves. I prune the vine when it annoys me.  Last year I had some yummy ones finally! The years before they were pretty good but not like last year. Ronsgarden is right it takes a few years before you see grapes. |
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Posted: Jan/05/2008 8:33 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by thequiltedgardener I too am looking for information about growing grapes. Two years ago I inherited a grape vine root that my great-grandparents brought over from Italy long long ago. Grandpa made wine with the grapes. We live in zone 6. So far I have planted the vine and when it is really dry, it gets watered but that is the extent of it. This year are going to put up a permenant trellis for it. There are usually a couple of bunches of grapes on the vine each year. Any suggestions of books to read? I haven't started any grapevines yet, so I can't tell you from experience, but I have done a little research, and one of the books that seems highly recommended is "From Vines to Wines." http://www.amazon.com/Vines-Wines-Complete-Growing -Grapes/dp/1580171052/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=bo oks&qid=1199593596&sr=1-1 I haven't read it yet, but intend to before buying any grapevines. I've also signed up for grape growers tips by email http://www.squidoo.com/growing-grapes on the top right of the page is where you sign up for "grape school". One of the tips that they gave recently seemed pretty smart -- use twine to tie your vines to their trellis or other support. The twine rots over time, and so it doesn't choke the vine as it expands. A good tip probably for any vine that you're training up a trellis. Note: remove any spaces in the URLs to get them to work in your browser. Edit: there's a space between the two "o"s in the word "books" in the Amazon link. Delete that space and it should work. |
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Posted: Feb/20/2008 1:13 PM PST
I have a very large wild Muscadine growing in an old Oak tree, and was wondering if I should prune, or just leave well enough alone? Two years ago I got plenty of grapes for my wine as well as all the critters for 3 counties!!, but then last year we had a hard freeze after the blossoms emerged and we got no fruit I was just planning on the old wait and see, but if there is something I can do to help it along? It is a very old vine, so I'm kinda worried about messing with it!! |
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Posted: Feb/21/2008 10:19 AM PST
Please check out this website on grape growing. It gives a really good explanation as well as pictures on proper pruning. http://www.gardening-howto.com/pruning-plants/prun ing-grapes.htm We grew green grapes for many years with good success, my main problem was the neighborhood kids...LOL They knew I gardened organically so it was safe to pick and eat right off the vine. LOL We also covered them with bird netting close to when the fruit would bear, so we could have some too. We just took out the vines last year. They were tired and we were starting to have problems with fungal infections. We're going to get new plants and move them to another area. Home grown fruits and nuts are the best! I have 2 black walnuts I want to replace as they too are getting tired and show it. I want to try some of the newer hybrids that bear much sooner than the older varieties. I also want to add an almond tree and perhaps another pecan. You can grow a home orchard organically, but you really need to pay attention to your plants. Plus the biggest thing I think is to makes sure the soil is a health as possible by working in lots of compost and organic materials. Doing a lasanga bed for grape vines would be a really good deal, I would think. |
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