GRAPES
(Vitis vinifera; Vitis labrusca)
The highly productive grapevine in your yard will become a focal point of beauty.
Think carefully about were to plant it! We offer a selection of high quality seedless,
wine and dessert grapes. Most will ripen even in areas with cool summers. Many commonly known varieties won’t ripen
in parts of our region due to lack of enough hot summer weather. The ripening dates listed are for the cooler parts
of Western Washington. Most varieties will ripen sooner in warmer summer climates. We offer well rooted plants.
USEFUL FACTS
ORIGIN: Vitis vinifera originated in Western Asia and is
one of the oldest of cultivated plants. Grapes have been cultured for 3000 years. V. labrusca is one of many grape species native to Eastern North America.
POLLINATION: Self-pollinating
HARDINESS: Wine grapes USDA Zones 7-9. Dessert Grapes unless
otherwise noted, USDA zones 5-9.
SUN OR SHADE: Vine will grow in partial shade, but full
sun is generally required west of the Cascades to mature fruit.
PLANT SPACING: Six to eight foot intervals, depending upon
vigor of variety, relative fertility of site, pruning regimen. One vine, left to grow, can cover a large area.
HARVEST TIME: September-October.
METHOD OF PROPAGATION: Hardwood cuttings in late winter.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Eighty years or more.
BEARING AGE: Two or three years after planting.
YIELD: Depends on how much room it has. 30 pounds or more
on an arbor.
HOW TO GROW
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Grapes are widely adapted. They prefer
deep, well drained soils. Once established, the plants are tolerant of droughty sites, with their long, deep striking
roots. Soil of average fertility is best, as too rich a soil promotes abundant vegetative growth at the expense
of fruit production. Grapes prefer slightly acid soils.
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS: When planting, prune the plant back
to two buds. Place a 5 ft. stake next to the young vine for support for the first year.
Select one cane to grow up the stake and remove other shoots. By the second year a permanent trellis should be
erected. Seven or eight foot posts buried 2 feet, spaced at 8 foot intervals, will make
a good support system. Wires can be placed at 3 1/2 and 5 feet in height. Our "Owner’s
Manual" and grape growing books will explain how to prune.
HOW TO USE GRAPES
IN THE LANDSCAPE: Vines make a very fast growing summer
screen. An arbor with grapes planted at six foot intervals on either side will create lovely summer shade space.
(We offer arbors and trellises on the supply pages.) Vines planted on the south side of a house will generally
ripen a week earlier and will cool a building in summertime. Grapevines can be used to arch a walkway, form a leafy
wall, or shade a deck. Each variety has its own distinct, bold textured leaf pattern. Grapevines are known for
their colorful fruit.
IN THE KITCHEN: Fresh eating, jam, juice, wine, raisins.
Vinefera type wine grape leaves are used in several Greek dishes.
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