The Rewarding Experience of Grape Growing
Do you remember looking at those documentaries on grape growing when you were a kid, and seeing rows upon rows of grape vines with their laden bunches glistening in the sun? Maybe you felt the overwhelming urge to be there, darting along those rows and sampling the grapes…a green bunch here…a red bunch there. Perhaps you thought about how sweet the juice would taste running down the back of your throat.
There’s a certain joy that accompanies grape growing, and it has been there for thousands of years. That’s how long people have been enjoying the allure of grapes. That’s how long people have wanted grape vines for their own…from the commercial grower with acres of land, to the home owner with nothing more than a back yard.
Grape growing is an immensely enjoyable and exciting experience. However, it is also one which requires a lot of hard work and dedication. The key is to plan ahead and ensure that you are adequately prepared for the task at hand. You don’t have to figure out everything on your own. The grape growing community is a friendly bunch, pardon the pun, and is always willing to share information.
You always have to keep in mind that there are certain things which will contribute to the success or failure of your grape vines. Successful grape growing is highly dependent on the climate. Many a grower, especially home growers, have had the unfortunate experience of falling in love with a particular variety, sourcing a vine from a local nursery, and realizing that it just refuses to thrive.
Certain varieties of grapes require very specific conditions for suitable growth. Some just won’t grow properly outside of a particular geographic area. Even within a single vineyard you can have such a range of micro environments that some of your vines end up healthy while others just wilt. Some of the things you have to pay attention to are:
daily sunlight duration
slope
altitude
frost
spacing
soil quality
rainfall trends
water drainage
wind
Typically you’ll have two choices when it comes to the type of grapes you can choose for grape growing. The first comes from the Vitis vinifera family, which is prevalent in Europe. In Canada and the eastern United States it is more common to find members of the Vitis labrusca family. The former requires a longer growing season but is an excellent choice if you’re growing grapes for wine making.
Another essential point is enduring that you purchase your rootstocks from a reputable nursery. The rootstock is the lower part of the vine and it serves many functions. It not only anchors the plant but it is also responsible for reproduction and fighting off diseases. Clearly, it’s a very important part of the plant and it is crucial that you obtain healthy rootstocks that have tested for soil type.
Grape growing is definitely not for the impatient sort. Grape vines are perennials and it can be as much as three years before your vine produces any fruit. You absolutely have to get the soil and climate conditions right or you’ll end up stressing out your vines and your bunches will be less than spectacular…something you’ll certainly want to avoid if you’ve taken up grape growing for the aesthetic appeal.
On the plus side, modern technology has made the process much easier. Grape growing is still a time honored tradition, whether for making wine or just getting that perfect bunch of grapes to share with the family. It is also a practice that requires a lot of preparation and this cannot be stressed enough. Read…contact the professionals…and gather as much advice as you can before you plant your first vine.
Tags: grape growing, grape vines, grapes, grower, local nursery, wine making
Grape Growing.net