Planting Grape Vines

The first thing to note when planting grape vines is to note that they require a good share of sunlight. Sunlight is the main ingredient in growing good quality and healthy grapes. Many people make the mistake of planting grape vines inside a shady covering or under a shady tree. This gives the grape vine very little sunlight and hence it does not grow very well.

If you live in an area where the sunlight comes in only a few hours during the day in your backyard then sow it exactly in the place where it gets the few hours of sunlight. The vine will grow taller by taking support and will always grow in the direction of the sun. When the vines bear fruit the sunlight will ripen them and without the required amount of sunlight the fruits will not taste good.

The second most important factor to consider when planting grape vines is to get to know the growth pattern and style of the variety you are growing. Some varieties are slow growers and some may grow really fast. If you do not know anything about variety you have bought then you can consult the local gardening shop or the nursery from where you bought the cutting. You can also search on the internet for information about the various varieties of grapes. You can also choose the variety depending on the climatic conditions of your city and hence help the grape vine to grow well.

Some very vigorously growing varieties need ample space to grow. When you are planting grape vines of this variety then make sure you keep enough space around the planted vine so that the vine will grow in style. If you are going to plant more than 2 vines then keep a gap of 8 feet between each vine and this will ensure that the vigorous lot gives you really juicy fruits.

The medium growth rate ones can have a gap of 6 feet between them. Also when planting the vines you need to decide on when to use a trellis or support. The growth rate of each variety will decide that and you need to be equipped with the trellis when the vine is ready to take support.

The next factor in plating grape vines is the decision of which kind of trellis to be used for which variety of grape vine. Some vines grow like their ancestors the wild grapes and tend to drool down to the ground very fast. These need to be tied to a trellis which is 6 feet above the ground. This variety of vines is to be pruned from the top so that it branches out side wards and hence forms a curtain hanging from the trellis. This curtain bears grapes in the fruiting season and also looks beautiful when there are no fruits. People use these kinds of vines in there backyards to make partitions for sitting and enjoying their evening tea with their family.

The other kind of grape vines needs a broader kind of trellis. There should one trellis just three feet from the ground and then leaving a gap of 8 inches between each there should be 3 more wires. These will make a broader support and hence the vines spread over the trellis well. Planting grape vines of this kind need special care with the trellis. Pruning is also done in such a way that the vine spreads in the correct way over the trellis.

Correct way of pruning the vines should be done. Hedging or pruning is done on the tips of the shoot when it reaches the top most level of the trellis. This ensures that the entire step gets nourishment and hence grows well in a broader way. When planting grape vines in your backyard make sure you water them well. Watering them once a week when they are ready to bear grapes is recommended. If you live in areas which receive very less rain then water them more often.

Sufficient amount of water is required to help the vines produce good quality grapes. Once the vines bear small fruits and they start getting colour, then stop watering the vines. If you continue watering then the fruits will take much longer time to ripen. Just before winter, you should water the vines very well and then it does not matter even if the soil freezes. The water will remain inside the soil and keep the vines living throughout the winter.

When people start planting grape vines in their backyard, they forget to prune them often. Pruning is very essential as it will ensure the healthy growth of the vines. The vines will grow into a mesh if you do not prune them right. Then the branches get entangled into each other and won't bear the right quantity and quality of fruits.

When pruning is done, the last years diseased branches are removed and also those which are being a burden and will bear no fruit this coming season. The fruit ripening will also depend on the pruning you have done. When you remove the branches which have already given fruits in the earlier year you will make way for new and fresh branches.

Make sure you follow all the above notes. Grape vines are an easy plant to grow in your backyard and planting grape vines will give you juicy grapes year after year.