| So You Want to Know How to Grow Grapes? | | | | be just tall enough to make picking easier. Make |
| It seems hard to find anyone who does not know | | | | sure to choose wood that will not rot easily under |
| what grapes are. They are grown across the | | | | the elements. |
| world, and are enjoyed by most people. These | | | | Only now can we begin the actual planting. Dig |
| morsels of juicy deliciousness are berries in the | | | | holes for the plants. The holes should be larger |
| botanical sense. They grow in bunches with at | | | | than what you need to plant the vines. This is |
| least 6 individual fruits. Some varieties produce | | | | because you want the soil to be loose when you |
| bunches numbering an astonishing 300 grapes! | | | | put it back over the roots. Tie the strongest |
| Grapes can be grown for eating or for making | | | | tendril to your trellis with string, not wire which |
| wine. Table grapes are the ones for eating, and | | | | can cause damage to the vine. Water your plants |
| wine grapes are for making wine. Centuries of | | | | unless the rain is enough to keep them healthy. |
| cultivation and study has led to the development | | | | During the dormant season, prune the weakest or |
| of a specialized branch of plant science just for | | | | unhealthiest vines. This will improve the quality of |
| grapes. This special science is called viticulture, and | | | | the fruit. |
| it deals with everything about grapes. Breeds and | | | | When the vine starts producing fruit, it is time to |
| varieties, soil composition and sun exposure, | | | | prepare for the harvest. Picking grapes at the |
| basically everything that has to do with how to | | | | right time will ensure maximum sweetness and |
| grow grapes, falls under the umbrella of viticulture. | | | | juiciness. A hydrometer will prove useful in |
| Before you ask how to grow grapes, you need | | | | determining the sugar content of your grapes and |
| to know exactly what you plan to do with the | | | | tell you when to start harvesting. |
| grapes. Will it be for making wine, or for eating? | | | | Wine grapes are more complicated. Each variety |
| Both do follow the same step-by-step procedures | | | | of grapes produces specific qualities in wine, and |
| for planting, but the specific requirements might | | | | will also have different growing requirements. |
| change depending on what you plan to grow. | | | | Regardless, the steps for how to grow grapes |
| Table grapes need fertile soil with good drainage. | | | | are the same. Plan your plantation, build your |
| This means that the proportion of clay to loam or | | | | trellises, and plant your vines. Special techniques |
| sand must not be too high. Too much clay makes | | | | are applied to encourage the development of |
| the soil retain a lot of water, which will cause the | | | | specific qualities in the grapes that will affect the |
| grapevine's roots to rot. The amount of sunlight | | | | wine. |
| that the plant will receive is critical to the | | | | If you seriously plan to grow wine grapes, it |
| development of sugars in the fruits. | | | | would be best to ask a viticulturist. They can tell |
| Start with planning your plantation or plot of land. | | | | you the different varieties and requirements, and |
| The plot should receive a lot of sunlight. The | | | | how to grow grapes for wine making purposes. |
| plants should be about six feet apart to allow for | | | | With all that being said, remember that grapes |
| growth. Check the soil. Is it fertile enough? Does it | | | | require time. You will need to be disciplined in |
| drain well? If not, add compost to it and loosen it | | | | setting up and taking care of your plants, but the |
| before planting. After this, it is time to start | | | | end result will be worth every second and every |
| building a trellis for the vine to cling on. It should | | | | drop of sweat. |