Growing Guide to Growing Grapes

Today let’s go over how to grow grapes in your backyard. Whether you want to add color to your garden or enjoy fresh grapes on your table, I'll give you all the tips and tricks to grow delicious grapes like these.

First things first, you need to select the correct variety of grapes to grow. Grapes grow in different zones, so it's essential to choose the right variety that grows in your zone. You can check out my separate video on the six varieties I'm growing in zone nine that are some of the best tasting table grapes.

You can buy grape plants from a nursery or propagate your own from cuttings. It's effortless to grow them from cuttings; all you have to do is take hardwood cuttings in winter, containing at least two buds, and shave off the bark from the bottom of the cutting. Then, plant your cutting right in the soil and press around the cutting. In about two months, your cutting will start to grow and leaf out, developing roots.

Now, you want to select the proper area in your backyard or around your house to grow grapes. Grapes love full sun, and they need 12 to 14 hours of sunlight during the summer. Pick an area that receives full sun, and grapes tolerate all kinds of soil, so dig a deep hole and plant your newly started plants in your ground. Remember to pay attention to plant spacing and row spacing because grapes grow a lot and are fast-growing. So, plant them at least six feet apart and eight feet apart in rows to receive proper sunlight and adequate airflow to prevent fungal diseases.

Pests and diseases are prevalent in grapes, and birds are the biggest pests when it comes to growing grapes. Birds love to eat grapes when they're ripe, so use netting to deter them. Fungal diseases are also common in grapes, so use adequate spacing to have enough airflow to prevent them. Additionally, you can use organic fungicide like triple action neem oil with fungus control.

Grapes need adequate watering, depending on the type of soil you have and how hot it gets in your region. Grapes need less fertilizer than other plants, so apply a 4-4-2 organic chicken mineral fertilizer in winter and potassium-based fertilizer in spring, right before the fruit set. Finally, pruning is vital in growing grapevines because they grow a lot and take over the space. Select one leading branch and clear off any other stems coming off from the main stem up to two feet. Keep at least four side branches, and in winter, prune the grapevines to stimulate more growth and more stems that will produce more fruit.

Harvesting grapes is fun and easy. When harvesting grapes, select the grapes that are ripe, and if they're under-ripe, they're going to be sour. Grapes need to be fully ripe to get the full sweetness and flavor. Now that you know everything about growing grapes, you can enjoy fresh grapes from your garden or add color to your backyard. Enjoy!