subject: Basics On Growing A Grape Of Good Quality [print this page] For some basics on growing a grape of good quality, read on. You may prefer to grow vines from pots in your courtyard or over a lattice to provide shade and beautify your garden. If you are considering growing a vineyard to cultivate grapes for the market, the place where you live and the weather patterns will all be an important factor.
The finest grape varieties are grown in areas which enjoy warm dry summer months and cool rainy winters. If you do not have this weather pattern where you live, you will need to create a similar atmosphere albeit through irrigation to provide optimum growing conditions for your vines. It may mean more work but has been successful in central Africa where summers are extremely hot and stormy and winters dry. They have even gone on to produce some fine wines.
The perfect landscapes for growing vineyards are found in places such as the Cape area of South Africa, Italy and France to name a few. The gently rolling hills here provide slopes for drainage which is essential for the optimal growth of vines. The most favorable time of the year to plant vine saplings is early in the spring months. The slips should steep in water for 24 hours before planting into the soil in order to soak up as much moisture as possible to encourage growth. Saplings must not dry out before planting under any circumstances.
In setting up a vineyard or arbor, the condition of the soil is imperative. You can purchase soil testers which will measure the amount of toxins in the soil, allowing it to be treated before the planting season. The ground needs to be broken up (topsoil and subsoil) and nourished with compost. Plant the vines approximately eight to ten feet apart (about three meters). Once planted, regular watering will be necessary to help the saplings set up their root systems.
Dark green and healthy looking leaves are what you want to achieve as the saplings grow. A neighboring vintner will usually be able to take one look at the leaves to be able to advise you whether your soil needs more nourishing or not. Usually though, adding compost and fertilizer to the soil is necessary only once per year.
The vines like to grow along wires to trail along. Vineyards typically have Y-shaped structures for the vines to be trained to grow along. These structures ensure optimum sunshine and allow for easy picking when the grapes are mature. Should you wish to grow your vines over a trellis, consider using a strong and lightweight cedar to build the trellis. Cedar will not rot in Mediterranean climates. They also have fungal-resistant properties and are both light yet strong.
After two or three years, the vines will be at their best. Wait another year for them to bear fruit. While growing, protect your vines from pests and mildew. Use fungicide and copper-hydroxide sprays. You can purchase these at your local garden store or farmers co-op and they come in a variety of brand names. Once the fruit is on the vine, protection from birds is essential. Most vintners use spans of netting for protection. Some rely on artificial birds and snakes placed strategically throughout the vines.
Growing a grape to perfection means picking at the right time; as grapes do not continue to ripen once picked so are best left on the vine until perfect. Again, there is a tester kit to help. After harvesting and when the leaves have dropped from the vines, it is pruning time. Basically grapes are classified either white or red but in actual fact, over 100 grape varieties exist. Different cultivars are used for a variety of wines and vinegar or grown for their seed extracts, to produce sultanas, raisins, currants and jams to name but a few of the host of commercial uses.
