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Fruit of the month - Grapes

Grapevines are easy to grow

Project of the Month
Vines are best planted in February/March

Grapevines are easy to grow once you have the hang of pruning and as our summers become warmer, plants should begin to crop more reliably. As a garden plant, vines often pay their way simply by being lovely, vigorous vines to drape over a pergola to provide shade in the summer.

Vines are best planted in February/March for growing outside and there are lots of suitable varieties. One of the best for growing in a sunny spot on the open plot is the black grape 'Boskoop Glory' while the strawberry grape has small, sweet berries with a very distinctive flavour – but there are plenty more to choose from depending on whether you wish to use your crop to produce wine or dessert grapes and where in the country you live. Specialists will be happy to help you make a choice.

By now the fruit on established vines should be advanced and beginning to swell ready for harvesting from September onwards. It is important now to keep on top of excess growth to maximise the quality of your harvest. Cut back all growth beyond the last bunch of fruit, leaving just two leaves beyond the bunch. In the case of mature vines you can allow two or three bunches to form on each sideshoot, but only one in the case of young vines.

This concentrates the plant’s energy on fruit production, but more importantly in the case of grapes, allows more air and light into the vine, reducing diseases such as mildew.

Tie wanted shoots to the framework of supports and snip back any non-fruiting sideshoots to one leaf.

For more advice, see this month's issue, available to buy online!