5 Easy Steps for Growing Grapes in Your Own Backyard

Find the best place to plant your grapes

Basically, you need a large, open, sunny space with good soil. Grapes need about 50 to 100 square feet per vine if growing vertically on a trellis or arbor. They need about 8 feet between rows if planting horizontally in rows. Plus, seven to eight hours of direct sun each day. While they’ll grow in a range of soils, they’ll thrive in well-drained, rich, organic soil (grapes cannot tolerate wet feet). Soil that has been mixed deep-down with ample compost or soil conditioner. Air circulation on all sides helps ward against fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.

Choose the best grape variety for your climate

There are three basic types of grapes—American, European, and Muscadine. There’s also hybrids (like our favorite Zestful grapes) made by combining American and European varieties.

American (Vitis labrusca) grapes are the most cold-hardy (zones 4-7) and thrive in short-season growing areas such as the Northeast. These are most often used for table grapes, juices, and jellies.

European (Vitis vinifera) grapes prefer a warm and dry Mediterranean-type climate (zones 7-10) with a longer growing season. Depending on the variety, these are used for winemaking and as table grapes.

Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) grapes are native to North America and grow well in the humid South (zones 7-9). These are most often used for winemaking as well as table grapes.

Properly plant your new grape vine

Table grapes don’t need a fancy support system. Although it’s good to get them off the ground and onto a trellis where you can easily prune and harvest. Wine grapes will require a horizontal structure that gives them the support they need and allows you to train them. In mild winter areas (USDA Zone 7 and warmer) you can plant your grapevines in early winter. In colder regions, wait for early spring. Grapevines set deep roots (as much as 15 feet). Therefore, dig a planting hole about two feet deep and wide, and enrich with compost.

How Many Grape Vines Should I Plant?

• Mature table grapes can produce 15 to 30 pounds per vine. You may only want to plant a couple of vines.
• Mature wine grapes produce about 12 pounds per vine, and it takes 40 pounds to make 12 bottles. If you’re serious about making wine, you’re going to need a lot of vines.