How To Grow a Grapevine At Home

Planting, Care and Fertilizing Instructions for a Grapevine at Home

Growing a grapevine at home can be fun and a great way for kids to learn about plants. Grapes are not terribly picky plants overall to grow and this provides an opportunity for novices to become grape growers. Healthy vines need space to grow, so you will need a large growing area. The neat thing about growing a grapevine at home is that they can be trained to grow up a trellis or even a split-rail fence. Learn how to grow a grapevine at home and enjoy tasty homegrown grapes.

 

Step 1

Purchase or make your own trellis to support grape vines. Materials can be made of wood or metal and must be sturdy enough to feed the vines through and still hold the weight of the grapes. Lattice construction is often used for training lateral vines. Purchase the proper number of trellises based on the number of grapes you want to grow. Each grapevine may be eight feet or longer in length.

 

 

Step 2

Locate an area in your yard that has enough space for both the trellises and grapevines. Select an area for growing a grapevine at home with good drainage and in full sun. Proper drainage is critical when growing grapevines.

 

Step 3

Add improvements to the soil where you will be growing a grapevine at home. To increase soil structure and help with drainage, add compost and sand. Use a shovel to dig and turn in the sand and compost until it is well blended with the soil. Level the area with a rake after the soil has been composted.

 

Step 4

Dig a hole for each grapevine where you previously amended the soil. Holes must be dug deep enough to stretch out the root system for each plant without having to bend any of the roots. When the hole is wide enough and deep enough, spread out the vine roots. The stem of each plant should be positioned in the hole to the same growing depth as the container it came out of. Fill each hole with soil to the correct depth and use your hands to firm soil surrounding the base of each vine. Put your trellis in place after planting. Each grapevine planted at home must be thoroughly watered right after transplanting. On average grapevines need one to two inches of water on a weekly basis.

Step 5

Use a good mulch around each grapevine in your home. Mulch helps to keep plants cooler and even prevents some weeds from growing. A thick layer of mulch about two to four inches deep spread at the base of each plant should be perfect. Organic mulch, buckwheat hulls, straw or hay can all be used as mulch for a grapevine at home.

Step 6

A newly planted grapevine at your home should be pruned back leaving only the two strongest buds. Train new growth from these buds through the support structure. Clip off developing side branches and allow the lateral branches to grow after the main stems grow to the top of each trellis. New grape tendrils should be allowed to grow horizontally.

 

Tips

Grapes should be fertilized each spring. Choose from a liquid or a granulated type especially designed for fruits. It is also a good idea to protect a new grapevine at home during the winter months with a fresh layer of mulch. Spreading 18-inches of yard leaves around each plant after the vine drops its leaves will provide protection for your grapevine at home.

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