Organic Grape Growing Tips

Growing grapes organically is not difficult if you keep a few things in mind. So before you run to the store and buy the first grape vine you see, you need to decide on two things. What are you going to be using the grapes for? There are different types of grapes and certain grapes are better for certain food consumptions. Some grapes are grown for eating, while others are used to make wine, jams and jellies. Many home gardeners choose to grow their grapes organically, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. What could be better than making homemade wine or jelly with grapes freshly harvested in your own yard?

The second question to ask before buying is this: Will the grape vine be hardy in my area? While you are looking at the different grape vines, choose a variety that is disease resistant. To find this information out, read the planting labels to discover the USDA zones where the grape vine grows the best. Also, it might be worth your time to talk to the nursery store owner or even go to the county extension agent for advice. They should be able to tell you which variety will grow the best in your area and will taste the best for your needs.

The Perfect Place to Plant

Walk around your yard to find the right place to plant your grape vines. Try to choose a place that receives at least 8 hours of full sun exposure. Grow the grapes on a hill if possible; otherwise try to find an area with a higher elevation. This helps protect the grape vines should there be a late or early frost in the area.

Prepare the Soil

Once you’ve figured out the grapes you want and you’ve brought them home, you need to prepare the soil. Till up the area to a depth of 24 inches. As you till, remove any sticks, rocks, clods or other debris that might prevent the roots from growing. Amend the top 4 to 6 inches of soil with 4 to 6 inches of compost. If your soil has poor drainage, incorporate two inches of sand into the soil.

Try to level the ground as best you can with a rake. Now, you are ready to start digging the holes so you can plant the grapes. Dig the holes twice the diameter of the container, and twice as deep. Scuff the sides and bottom of the hole with the edge of your spade or shovel, so the roots can penetrate beyond the hole easier. .

Push some of the amended soil back into the hole until it is half full. Remove the root ball from the container and place it into the planting hole. The top of the root ball should be slightly higher than ground level. Don’t worry about this because the root ball will fall lower into the hole as the soil beneath it settles.

Take the edge of your trowel, and scuff the sides of the root ball. You can also use your hands if the rootball isn’t compacted hard. If the roots are visible, then do not use a trowel on the sides of the root ball, because this will injure them. Gently tease the visible roots away from the root ball, with your fingers. This is done to prevent the roots from continuing to grow around the rootball. If they are left, they won’t spread out into the ground. Instead they will slowly choke the grape vine to death.

Planting the Root Ball

Place the root ball in the center of the hole, and fill in the rest of the planting hole. Tamp the soil down with your hands or feet to remove air pockets in the soil.

Now that the grape vine is planted, it is important to prune it right away. Take your pruning shears, and cut back each cane until it is left with only two to three buds. This may seem drastic, but it helps to encourage your grape vine to branch out and become fuller.

Place a soaker hose where you planted the grapevines and give them a good drink of water. If you only planted one or two grape vines, then you can water with the end of the hose. Just be sure to turn the water pressure on to a slow flow and water each grape planted. Water your grape vines deeply.

Fertilize

For the grapes to produce fruit, they should be fertilized in the spring, 2-3 weeks before bud burst. There are several different ways to do this, so choose the one that you like best. One method is to scratch in 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 2 or 3 inches of soil around the vines, with a garden rake.

Another method is to plant a cover crop, such as clover, throughout the vineyard late in the fall. This helps maintain the correct nitrogen level and speeds up the growth of your grape vines. It also helps keep the weeds under control. When spring comes, incorporate the ground cover into the soil.

You can also purchase fertilizer and use that for your grapes. Just make sure you choose a fertilizer made for grapes and that you mix and apply it according to thedirections.

Insert a Trellis

Provide support behind the grape vines to give them something to grow against. Every eight to ten feet, pound in a post at least 12 inches behind the grape vines. Attach a length of wire to run from the first post to the last post. Position and secure the bottom wire so it is 15 to 24 inches above the ground. Space the remaining wire every 15 inches. Loosely secure the branches of the grape vines to the wire with soft twine.

Pest Control

Inspect the organic grapes for pests. The types of bugs differ depending on your area. If you are planning to keep your grapes on the organic side, you can deter pests by attracting or adding beneficial insects that eat these bugs or by spraying the grape vines with insecticidal soap. Insecticidal soap is sold at most garden centers or you can make your own by pouring one gallon of water into a sprayer and adding 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap.

Sources:

Amy Stewart: Great Grapes for Organic Gardens

“Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening”; J. Rodale; 1999