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Backyard Grape Growing Tips

July 21st, 2009 | by |

The first fact that you have to know on how to grow grapes is that there are certain grape species that can only thrive in certain climates that are appropriate for growing that kind of grape species. If you plan to produce white wine, plant Chardonnay and Riesling grapes, but if you are in Florida, that would be impossible. Riesling and Chardonnay are species under Vitis Vinifera, a grape species which requires a long hot season and mild winter. North American countries, France and Luxembourg may be grape-growing countries but Auxerrois ( a grape variety that produces a fruity taste) can only be grown in Luxembourg and Canada. Barbera, which has a tarry flavor, can only be grown in Italy and California. There are sites (my-grape-vine.com) that are dedicated just to giving you detailed descriptions of grape species for growing grapes effectively.

Before getting started, you should know that growing grape vines is also like taking care of an infant. Grapes need plenty of sunlight and lots of care. After choosing the type of grapes, check the site and location of your yard whether it has ample sunlight for growing grapes. Competition for sunlight from other taller trees and plants will make your vines sickly. Sunlight fights fungi and other viruses that will attack your grape vines. Inspect for taller building structures that may hinder sunlight from coming in your yard. Grapes grown with sufficient sunlight are much juicier and better tasting then those grown in dark areas.

The type of soil and its mineral content are also factors in growing grapes. The soil should neither be too moist nor too dry. It should also have the characteristic of not holding water in its particles. It’s advised to till the soil first before planting any grape root stock. Make sure that there is no broken bottles and other non-biodegradable materials in the soil. Removing weeds and stray shrubs in your garden may also help. Weeds eats up nutrients that your grapes need for growth. As the roots of your vines go deeper under, removing boulders and other rocks will be helpful. Also, make sure that in growing grapes, the soil does not appear to be eroding as this will only remove the soil mineral content.