subject: Tips for Growing Grapes in your Backyard [print this page] Tips for Growing Grapes in your Backyard Tips for Growing Grapes in your Backyard
Who said you needed to have tons of land to grow grapes? In today's world we can do just about anything, which is why there are a lot of individuals growing grapes in their backyard. Whether we the excitement over grapes started from those luxurious portrayals in the movies or the wine vineyards all over the world, grape growing information is one of the most sought after topics. You won't find too many people who don't like the taste of grapes, especially since they can be used for several different reasons. Some love to utilize them in cooking, while others want to make their own wine. Whatever you want to do it's important to take care of your little vineyard, and we're going to help make that happen.The Right Location- Choosing the appropriate spot for your grapes will be a crucial part of your planning. The area needs to have plenty of water, tons of sunlight, and the best soil possible for this to be a huge success. When looking for good "sunny" areas do a little testing and find a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. It should also have the proper drainage setup, which is why slopes are the perfect choice for grape vines. If you have an area with standing water it could damage your vineyard. Slopes are also great because they offer protection against heat or cold.What Grapes to Choose- Your choice has to revolve around perennial grape vines. In all, it takes about 3 years to see your first harvest, so it's definitely a hobby where you need patience. This is why it's so important to do everything right upfront, so make sure you pick the right plant from the beginning. If you're struggling to figure this out we recommend going to your local grape growing information store (the plant nursery), and see what they have to say.Preparing the Soil- When planting grape vines, the soil has to be prepared properly. Even though the original structure will stay the same, you can utilize organic fertilizers to grow good quality grapes. If you aren't using chemical fertilizers you will enjoy watching the vines grow instead of wither away. This is due to the large amounts of nitrogen that will harm your plants.Constructing the Trellis- This needs to be done soon after the soil is prepared. Grape vines are not very sturdy, so digging a hole and planting the vines will be necessary. Also, during this time make sure you don't add fertilizer in the planting hole. Damaging the tender scourge isn't something you want to do. It's also going to be important to place the vines in water for 6 hours. A normal sized bucket will do, and the idea is to keep the vines from drying out.A Few Extra Tips- While everything above is just as important as the other, there are other things you will need to consider. Take the time to use organic fertilizers, add some mulch to the surface of the soil, and buy organic pesticides so your plants stay safe. Grape growing is a long drawn out process, but it's one of those hobbies that is well worth it in the end.Don't forget to Prune!- Pruning is a big deal, and it's the one area most people overlook. The first year you won't have to do this at all, but every year after you will remove the excess from the previous 365 days. This helps the roots and stems build strength. However, if you still feel uncomfortable there are plenty of articles and bulletins to help you. What it comes down to is; the more prepared you are the easier it will be to see positive grape growing results.
