Grape Vines

Grapes are not only delicious but as a vigorous and attractive deciduous vine, can provide shade through the warmer months. Grapes require some type of support to grow on, usually a wire is strung between two posts, although trellis, pergolas and tall posts are all suitable. Grapes require some maintenance including an annual prune.

Planting your grape

The best time to purchase grapes is during the winter months as bare root plants. This is when there is a larger range available and there is more moisture in the soil.

Work the soil over and add lime and compost or manure to the soil. Mushroom compost is also suitable as it is more alkaline which grapes prefer. Dig a hole at least twice the width of the root ball at the base of the support and plant the vine. Backfill over the roots and firm down and water in well. Do not plant the vine too deeply or too shallow.

Grapes need a full sun position for healthy growth and good fruit production. They also require good drainage.

Pruning and training

Grapes are produced on the current seasons growth. There are two types of pruning depending on which type of grape you have selected.

1. Sultana Grapes – These produce fruit on the current seasons growth produced on one year wood. The pruning technique used is called rod or cane pruning. In the first year, simply let the vine grow and select one or two canes to train up the support you have selected. These are the framework canes. Prune back to a bud once these have reached the desired height. Four strong growing canes are then selected from the framework canes. Prune out all other canes and train the selected four canes horizontally along the wire or along the pergola. These canes will produce the fruit. Each year select four new canes and prune out all others, as these will produce fruit from the growth buds along the canes.

2. Black and White Muscat, Waltham Cross, and most of the wine grapes – These produce fruit on the current years growth from permanent spurs. The pruning technique used is called spur pruning. The first step is to develop the framework cane. Allow one cane to grow up the support to the desired height and prune back to a bud at this point. Select two canes and train horizontally over wires or another horizontal support. This will form the framework canes. Once these canes are trained horizontally, they should start to produce canes from the buds along the length of this cane. These will form the spurs. It is important at this stage to select healthy growth that is spaced along the length of the framework cane, and usually buds are selected that face upwards. Keep the spacing at approximately 30cm apart. Shorten the selected spur canes to the second bud and prune off all other growth from the framework canes. These will now form your permanent spurs. Each year, all new growth from the spurs needs to be shortened to the second bud.

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