How to Grow Grapes Successfully

Doesn't the thought of relaxing with a bottle of great tasting wine sound luxurious? How good will that feeling be if you have made the wine yourself. Planting and growing a successful grape vine is not as complicated as it might seem, and it is the first step in making this dream a reality.



You can choose how large or little you want your vineyard to be. If you are just getting started it is a good idea to plant only a few vines. Ten is a good number at first. It takes about ten vines to make homemade wine since most homemade wines are made in five- gallon batches. You can obtain year old bare-rooted dormant grape vines from a nursery to start off with. Typically, these vines have been grown by the nursery in their fields. Early spring is a good time to buy and plant your vines as the climate is ideal. Your vines need time to settle before the main growing season begins and the spring rain will help the vines bed in. The vines must be kept damp until planting this can be achieved by spraying them with water.



Planting your vines is quite easy and straightforward. Make sure that the hole you dig is large enough to contain the root system. Make sure that all the buds on the vine are obove the soil level. The soil should be gently tapped back into the hole but ensure that the vine is supported while doing this. This allows any remaining air pockets to be removed from the soil. By leaving a slight depression at the base of the vine will aid watering. Ensure that the soil is moist if it is then you do not need to water the vines following planting.



After your vines begin to show signs of life you will need to make sure that your soil remains moist. If you are lucky a good shower of rain will mean that you do not need to water that day. Additional watering is required if the rain is only slight. Extra watering will be required if the soil is light and sandy. As the water will be retained longer by clay based soils you will need to water less often. Whatever the soil good drainage is a must. With the proper drainage, you do not need to worry about too much rain soaking your vines.



Maximising the sunlight and air flow for the vine is another aspect of being a successful grape grower. Trees and tall structures can cast shadows and restrict air flow so always plant your vines in areas that are unaffected. Photosynthesis is only possible if plants get enough sunlight. Carbon dioxide is converted into sugar by photosynthesis. Sugar in the grapes will ferment into alcohol. Fungal disease problems will result if the vines do not get enough sunlight and have poor air circulation.



You can succeed and grow great grapes. You attention will be required throughout the year. Your first crop of grapes will be all the sweeter after waiting the three years it takes and putting in the time and effort.

Jay is a grape growing enthusiast. For more great information on how to grow grapes, visit http://www.mygrapevinesecrets.com.