If you go out there and search for information on how do grapes grow, you will find a wealth of information about things you need to do to have a great harvest. That’s better, but it is equally important to know things that you ought not to do under any circumstances. Yes you may be an expert in how do you grow grapes, but we have all done that. Looking back we all have done such things which now make us look foolish.

Let me give you an example of Ernie, my neighbor. After having a look at a landscape documentary, my friend decided that he wanted to grow grape vines in his backyard as it had its benefits. It was an admirable decision, but his decision on the variety of grapes to grow was less commendable. Ernie is just new in grape growing and he decided to plant Pinot Noir vine. When other experienced grape growers came to know about his decision they are not ammenable of the idea, but Ernie did not pay heed.

If you are not familiar with the variety, here is a brief description. Pinot Noir is the most sought after variety of vine for making wine due to its silky texture and wide array of aromas. The irony is that, it is disease and frost sensitive and ripens quite early exactly at a time when there is high frost. Having problem?

He didn’t care of the advice given by experienced people; his heart was on those delicious juicy grapes. He bought the vines from a nursery and then went on to make blunders in grape growing. He dug a hole and stuffed the cutting without making enough space for the roots and on top of that he used wrong fertilizers which in turn harmed the roots. Moreover he planted it along side a tree. What was his reason? He would get sunburn while caring for it. His alibi is that since there is a tree nearby, the plant would climb and there was no need for building a trellis. After a few months the plant was dead. It is not clear what killed the plant; it may be due to snow, insect infestation or may be due to excessive watering- he used to water the plant every day, but the point is he did not know the basics of growing anything let alone grapes. This was the end of his grapes growing fantasy.

Take a glimpse what of my grape vine look like would.

Tags: how do grapes grow, how do you grow grapes, my grape vine

So you decided to grow grapes then.

How do grapes grow is a good question.

But beware, this is where most of the grape grower make their first mistake.When it comes to growing grapes, choosing the perfect grape variety is one of the most important decisions any home grape grower needs to take. The correct variety will stand between being a successful grape grower or failure.

In the past, choosing a grape vine variety that suits your climate, soil and growing conditions, was much harder than today. On this current situation, there are more than 20 000 known grape varieties in the world, people living in climates, previously thought not suitable for growing grapes, can now plant varieties that was specially bred for to survive in harsh grape growing conditions.

Backyard grape growing is becoming more and more popular by the day, as people more and more strive to live healthier and look after our planet more carefully. Unfortunately, you cannot just plant any grape vine in your backyard. You will have to do some research on what varieties suits your climate, your soil and the availability of good quality water.

Another major concern for any home grape grower is a disease called Phylloxera. In the late 1800’s, a phylloxera epidemic (a sap-sucking insect that feeds on the roots of the grape vine) destroyed more than two thirds of all the vineyards in Europe. The breeding of Phylloxera resistant/tollerant rootsock, interferred or stopped this disease from killing all grape vines. Planting grafted varieties is the preferred method today, because the rootstock does not interfere with the development of the grapes.

When choosing the correct grape variety, it is best to visit vineyards in your area and see what varieties are successfully grown there. Most of the time, this is a surefire way of knowing that you have chosen the right variety.

Cold damage to grape vines is another grape growing problem that will influence the choice of grape varieties. If cold damage is a problem where you live, choose a variety with a short growing season, so the grape vines have enough time to harden off before winter comes.

A final word of advice; if nobody grow grapes in your area, it doesn’t mean grapes can’t be grown there. Probe first and choose wisely. There is nothing more satisfying than enjoying grapes, grown on your own grape vine and prepared by your hands.

There is a lot of growing grapes book that you can find in a bookstore.

Good luck!

Tags: growing grapes book, how do grapes grow, the grape grower