Grape Planting & Care

Many grape varieties are hardy to the northeast and produce a reliable crop each season, ripening in late summer or early fall.  Once the infrastructure is built and the plants are well-established, they are relatively low-maintenance.  If grown on an arbor they can also provide shade for an outdoor seating area, making these versatile plants a great addition to the backyard.

Size, Spacing, and Bearing Age:  Grapevines can grow quite vigorously, and will look for something to climb.  Space 6’-10’ apart on a trellis or arbor.  Plants begin bearing within 3-4 years.

Pollination:  Grapes are self-fertile.

Soil & Site Selection:  Grapes grow well in fertile, well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5-6.5, but they can also tolerate sandy or dry soils.  They fruit best in full sun, but in the wild they are often found growing in part shade along the forest edge.

Planting:  See Planting Guide and Bare Root Planting for instructions.

Pruning:  Pruning will differ depending on whether they are grown on an arbor or a trellis, but in general you will want to prune to a single trunk with two to four permanent branches, from which the plant will set fruit on canes grown the previous season.  It may seem excessive, but this means pruning up to 80-90% of the plant each spring.  Where winter hardiness is an issue, you may want to lay the plant down in the fall and cover it with mulch.  

Pests & Diseases:  Japanese beetles are particularly fond of grape leaves.  If you only have a few plants, the best method for dealing with them is to hand pick them into a container of soapy water.  Otherwise, there are few pests and diseases that bother these plants.  As always, good site selection and pruning will keep plants healthy and resilient.