Have you ever daydreamed of picking huge clusters of sun-warmed, juicy grapes from your backyard vines? Growing grapes is easier than you think. Here’s how to grow grapes confidently.
Grapes can be grown in USDA zones 4-10, which is to say almost anywhere in the continental United States. If you have good soil, some space to spare, and dont mind some annual pruning, growing grapes is easy. Its definitely not more difficult than any other backyard crop. The keys to success are first deciding what sort of crop you want to grow (to eat or make wine) and then choosing the right varieties that will grow and produce well in your area. Weve listed some of our favorite varieties below. Once you have this locked down, follow the steps below for planting, tending, and harvesting. You can expect to harvest delicious fruits in the third or fourth year, around late summer or early fall. How to Grow Grapes in 5 Easy Steps 1. 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 theyll grow in a range of soils, theyll 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 is ideal. Air circulation on all sides helps ward against fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. 2. Choose the best grape variety for your climate There are three basic types of grapes: American, European, and Muscadine. There are 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). They are most often used for winemaking and as table grapes.
Choose carefully according to your USDA zone. Some varieties like cooler temperatures, while others thrive in the heat. Consult your local Independent Garden Center for the best varieties for your particular area and needs
Do Grapes Grow on Vines or Trees? Understanding Grapevine Growth Habits
Grapes are one of the most beloved and widely consumed fruits in the world, used for juices, jellies, wines, and eaten fresh off the vine But where exactly do grapes grow – on vines or trees? The answer is vines! Let’s explore the unique growth habits of grapevines
Grapevines are climbing woody vines that originate close to the ground and crawl along supports or spread laterally using tendrils to cling and climb. Unlike upright growing fruit trees, grapevines exhibit flexible, vining growth allowing them to ascend structures optimally for sunlight exposure.
Trees vs Vines: Key Differences
There are several key differences between tree fruits like peaches and the vining growth of grapes:
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Weight: Grape clusters are heavy and require external support, unlike tree branches. Vining allows weight distribution.
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Sun exposure: Vines can climb and spread horizontally to reach sun unlike tree canopies limited by height.
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Sap flow: Grapevines bleed sap easily when damaged. Their high sap pressure makes tree-form growth difficult.
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Structure: Grapevines naturally grow as dispersed, flexible stems rather than a central trunk.
These factors illustrate why grapes don’t grow well as standalone trees – their vining habit requires climbing supports for optimal cultivation.
Climatic Needs for Grapevines
Grapevines thrive under certain climatic conditions:
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Sunlight: They require full sun exposure to provide the heat needed to ripen fruit properly.
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Soil drainage: Well-drained soil prevents waterlogging around roots susceptible to fungus and decay.
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Chill hours: A requisite winter dormancy period with chilling below 45°F induces fruitful springtime growth.
By recognizing these needs specific to grapes, we can better provide the right growing conditions for healthy, bountiful vineyards.
Anatomy of Grapevines
The anatomy of grapevines includes:
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Roots: A deep taproot anchors the vine while spreading lateral roots absorb water and nutrients.
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Stems: Flexible, woody stems or canes extend from the trunk, bearing leaves and fruit.
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Tendrils: Slender, clinging structures that grasp onto supports as the vine grows upwards and laterally.
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Shoots: Lateral stems where grape clusters emerge. Fruit originates from canes grown the previous season.
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Trunk: The main, low-originating wood from which vine stems extend. Grapevines lack an upright tree trunk.
This anatomy equips grapevines for optimal climbing growth rather than self-supporting structure.
Trellising Grape Vines
Unlike fruit trees, grapevines require trellising or similar support systems. Benefits include:
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Directing growth upwards for sunlight exposure and air circulation
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Preventing low-hanging clusters resting on damp ground
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Allowing easy pruning and harvest access
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Promoting even ripening through exposed fruiting zones
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Increasing longevity by maintaining desired vine structure
Common trellis types include VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning), Scott Henry, and GDC (Geneva Double Curtain). Proper trellising is vital for efficient cultivation.
Vines vs Trees: The Verdict
Grapevines exhibit climbing growth habits inherently different from self-supporting fruit trees. Key anatomical adaptations like tendrils, flexible stems, low trunk origin, and vining growth equip grapes to ascend adjacent structures optimally versus tree-like upright structure.
By understanding grape-specific needs for sunlight, drainage, chill hours and trellising support, we can provide the best conditions for growing bountiful, healthy grapevines.
So do grapes grow on vines or trees? Definitely vines! Their unique climbing growth habit requires adequate trellising to achieve grape-growing success.
Maintain and prune your grapevines
Grapes produce growth that is a year old. This makes it important to keep a pruning schedule to remove older growth and ensure new growth develops. The most common mistake made with grape pruning is not pruning hard enough. Once a grapevine is fully established, you will actually be cutting off more plants than you leave behind.
Grapes can be trained in several different ways. This depends on your garden goals and the support structure you plan to use.
- Vineyard style: The classic system of two wires strung between posts. This has the benefit of keeping your grapes where they are easy to harvest. It only requires a narrow space, such as along a fence or wall. This method has one central trunk and a one-year-old cane with about 8 buds going out horizontally on each wire. If you want to see how the professionals prune their grapevines, you can find more information here.
- Onto a trellis or pergola: A great way to incorporate edible plants in a decorative manner. Grapes can be trained onto arches or used to provide seasonal shade on a pergola. How lovely would it be to reach up and grab a snack while relaxing on your patio?! You can find detailed instructions on training and pruning grapes on a pergola here.
Looking for a simpler, more casual method? Heres how to keep your grapes under control and produce fruit without becoming a pruning expert. Only two things should be left when you are done pruning your grapevine permanent main trunk or trunks and growth that is a year old. You won’t want to keep all the year-old growth- there might be a lot! Get rid of unneeded older wood, and thin out and shorten the year-old wood. You can leave anywhere from 2 to 8 buds on a cane.
Pruning can be done in summer to tidy up the vines. Especially if you find they are getting a little wilder than you like. Thinning can also help the fruit get more sun and increase airflow to prevent powdery mildew. If you find the fruit is growing in dense shade, you might want to do some thinning.
More information on pruning can be found here.
Powdery mildew is the most common disease affecting grapes. It can be controlled by improving air circulation and Birds? Try covering with netting.
Properly plant your new grapevine
Table grapes dont need a fancy support system. Although its 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 it with compost.
- 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.
How to Grow Grapes, Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
Are grapes a tree or vine?
A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus Vitis.
Where do grapes grow?
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Climate:These grapes are best suited to warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil and a Mediterranean-like climate.
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Regions:Major grape-growing regions include Italy, France, Spain, and California, known for their wine production.
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Soil:They can grow in various soil types, but well-drained soils are crucial, and gravelly soils are particularly beneficial.
Is there a tree that grows grapes?
The Jaboticaba, also known as the ‘Brazilian Grape Tree,’ produces tons of dark colored fruits between the sizes of grapes and plums on its bark. The tropical Jaboticaba, or Jabuticaba, is a delight to watch as white fuzzy blooms burst among the tree’s older bark, covering the tree with a white sea of petals.
Do grapes need two plants to grow?
Most bunching grapes are self-fruitful and, thus, do not require a pollinator. That said, they will often benefit from having a pollinator nearby. The exception is Brighton, a common variety of grape that is not self-pollinating. Brighton does need another pollinating grape in order to set fruit.
Do grapes grow on vines?
The answer is vines! Here’s an overview of the unique growth habits of grapevines. Grapes grow on flexible, woody vines that spread out horizontally across the ground or climb up supports. Grapevines have a growth habit called lianas, which refers to climbing woody vines.
Are grapes a tree or a vine?
Grapevines are not free-standing plants – they require an external structure for support. So while grapevines have woody stems like trees, their overall growth form categorizes them as vines rather than trees. There are a few reasons why grapes don’t grow as standalone trees
Do grapevines grow as trees?
No central trunk – Grapevines lack a strong central trunk and naturally grow as dispersed stems. Training them into a tree shape goes against their natural form. While grapevines don’t grow as trees, they can be trained onto existing trees for support in a method called married vines.
What is a grapevine and how is it grown?
A grapevine is a plant that grows on trees and bushes. To grow it, people need to cut it back to prevent it from taking over the whole bush or tree. The part of the grapevine that we eat is called grapes.
Can grapes grow from a stalk?
Grapes do not grow from a stalk alone. While a grape cluster’s stalk, or stem, is an important part of the fruit, it does not contain the necessary genetic material or reproductive structures to produce a new grapevine. Grapes are not grown on trees. Instead, they are typically grown on vines trained to grow along a support system such as a trellis.