| The quality of the grapes will be directly reflected | | | | should you wish to harvest more. You will need to |
| in the taste of the wine. Therefore, the grape | | | | have a proper trellis installed for your vines to |
| planting and growing process is the primary factor | | | | grow on. Ensure to dig a larger hole for vines so |
| in good wine making. | | | | that the soil can loosen for proper drainage to |
| So what is the primary concern when planting | | | | occur. |
| grapes? Just like in the real estate business: | | | | During the first year of your grape vine you |
| location, location, location. Your grapevines must | | | | should be tying the shoots to the trellis with |
| not only have the right types of soil to grow into, | | | | pieces of string, and not wire, as the latter could |
| but you must also have them strategically placed | | | | damage your vine. For shoots that unexpectedly |
| in a location with access to direct sunlight. This will | | | | grow from the roots of the grapes, simply clip |
| help the photosynthesis and fill the grapes with | | | | them off. During dormant seasons, it is important |
| sugar. After fermentation, the sugar will then turn | | | | to prune your vines again. During spring time, |
| to alcohol. Another factor for consideration is that | | | | choose the most rigid shoots from the upright |
| all sides of the vines receive the same amount of | | | | shoot and tie them. But this time, you should only |
| sun. Avoid placing your vines near a drainage | | | | tie them loosely to the wires as they grow. |
| systems as they do not respond well to wet | | | | These particular shoots will now serve as the |
| areas or puddles. Do not worry that a lack of | | | | arms of the vines, the very place where you |
| nutrition in the soil where you are growing your | | | | grapes will begin growing in the coming years. |
| grapes will result in smaller sized fruit.. After all, | | | | You will need a hydrometer during harvest time. |
| smaller grapes are more suitable for wine making. | | | | This tool will help you measure the gravity of |
| To help with nutrition, try using compost instead | | | | liquids on the grapes and identify their sugar |
| of fertilizer to aid your grapes' growth. | | | | content. The best gravity is ideally 1.105 and |
| If you wish to grow a larger crop, they must be | | | | should not fall below 1.095. When you achieve a |
| grown in rows of about eight feet apart. But for | | | | relatively ideal gravity, you can start harvesting |
| smaller vines, you can place them as little as six | | | | your grapes. The hydrometer can be bought |
| feet apart. The possibility of obtaining a smaller | | | | from your local winemaking supply shop. |
| crop from your vines is high, because of | | | | Grape growing and wine processing takes a great |
| unwanted pests like birds or insects. Although one | | | | deal of time and effort. Grape planting is just the |
| grapevine normally produces a gallon of wine, it is | | | | beginning. However, with a positive attitude and |
| still a good idea to plant additional grapevines, | | | | dedication, it can be a very rewarding experience. |