You can even grow your own wine, table or raisin grapes at home. Most grapes require full sun, moderate to light water and a rich, fast-draining neutral soil. No fertilizer is needed. Grapes grow on vines, so they need support in the form of stakes or an arbor. Grape stakes are available at home and garden centers. Grapes grow all over the world in virtually any climate or soil type. They grow easily from cuttings taken during the dormant season. In early spring, before buds begin to swell, plant cuttings in a prepared 24"-deep hole with two buds above the soil surface (figure A).
If you plant potted stock, you'll be happy to know that grapevines aren't fussy about planting depth. In fact, it's impossible to plant them too deeply. If you plant vines sold in cardboard sleeves, there's no need to remove the container, as it will soon rot in the soil. It's recommended, however, that you leave the top of the sleeve just above the surface of the soil. Once the grapes are planted, set up a drip-irrigation system for them. It will supply water directly to the root zone, so little is lost to evaporation. Allow your grapes to grow wild and woolly during the first year. Begin pruning the second season. Grapes should be pruned in winter or very early spring, before the buds begin to swell. Fruit is produced on year-old wood, which has smooth bark; older stems have rough, shaggy bark. There are two common pruning techniques for grapes: spur pruning and cane pruning. Let the first-year growth go unchecked, with no pruning of either sort. The first winter, select the longest, strongest canes, and remove all other growth. For spur pruning, let two shoots grow just below the tip of the trunk. Pinch out the tip. The second winter, remove the side shoots from the arms (branches) formed the first season. The third winter, prune off weak side shoots from the arms, and leave strong stems (spurs) spaced 6" to 10" apart along the arms. Cut these spurs back to two buds each. Each winter following, leave two more buds on the spurs. For cane pruning, in the second winter pinch off the tip of the main stem when it grows 1' above the top of the support. Remove side shoots on the lower half of the trunk. During the second winter, leave four side shoots for permanent canes; cut them back to two buds. Thereafter, remove the canes that bore fruit to two buds. Tips - Use a sturdy metal trellis if you want to grow plants in your garden. These plants are vigorous and heavy once established.
- Choose bare-root stock in the dormant season or plants in gallon cans during the growing season. Either way, the planting is about the same. Make sure there is something for the grapes to climb on, and don't allow the roots to dry out while you're planting.
- Red roses are often used as companion plantings for grapes. The roses attract bees, which pollinate the grapes. Select a climbing variety of rose to dress up your trellis.
- European types of grapes are usually grown in the western United States and enjoy a long warm season.
- American species are grown in short-season areas such as the northeastern states.
- Muscadine grapes do well in the humid South.
| 
)
)
)
