Any Grape Growers here?

[Illia]

Hi, I just started myself into the care of 7 grapevines because First, I didn't know we could actually grow grapes in the Northwest. Second - I LOVE grapes, especially the ones you don't find in stores, such as Wine Grapes and other rare varieties. So, my babies are just little'uns right now, but I really really look foreward to the times I'll be spending with them and would love to learn how to get the most production out of them, especially with the lack of sun we have here.

So, anyone else grow grapes? And, do you use them for Wine or Table? What kinds do you grow? Could you share some knowledge? (like, on pruning and so forth. . )

We got ours from a local nursery, RainTree - And our varieties include:

Aurore
Himrod
Venus
Muscat of Norway
Einset

 

[DLMKA]

We moved into a house 3 years ago that had very well established concord grapes. I bet the vines are 50 years old but well maintained. I just put in all new fence posts and wires this year, the old wires had been spliced all over the place and not tight at all. I bought some rooted cuttings of Himrod and one other variety this spring to fill in where some of the old vines have died or are on their way out. I'm also trying to root my own cuttings of these old concord grapes to keep the genetics going. It's been a learning experience for me especially with the pruning.

 

[eastbaychicks]

I planted about three years ago, and have yet to get fruit. I am not really doing it right I know, but I think this year will be the one for my thompson seedless varieties. I have some grapes I transplanted to grow over my chicken run... shade in the summer, sunny in the winter sort of thing. And if they get a few grapes... great!

 

[chickenlittle32]

I, too, am venturing in growing grapes this year. I will be subscribing to this thread in hopes to have helpful hints etc...

 

[TheReidHomestead]

We are also planting grapes this year, per request of the girls. I have blueberries, raspberries, strawberries plus multiple fruit trees. So I am happy to learn right along with you! My in-laws used to have wonderful grapes on their property just up the road. The girls loved picking them for their Grandma, and if there were too much to eat fresh, they enjoyed eating them frozen. We will do mostly table grapes. I only have two concord grape plants that I just picked up yesterday. Need DH to till a row and build some supports before I pick up any more.

 

[vfem]

We planted grapes winter 2008-2009. Sadly, that vine did well until about the end of summer last year then it wasn't looking so fabulous? Come to find out, it had died

My neighbor who we trade plants and fruit/veggies with all season came over the first week of March, and brought us extra sprouts and shoots from his raspberries and blueberries. Then he gave us a 5 year old Thompson seedless he hadn't gotten anything from. He still has 9 concord grape vines. But he lives juice and jelly and they don't eat many fresh so traded me for a ton of seeds I've saved. We also gave him a sapling to plant (a flowering tree we rescued from our wooded lot) to lavish as early season blooms for his bee hives!

Its a good friendship, and look at what I spotted yesterday on that grape vine we traded for!!!

Our very first home grown grapes!!!

 

[kathyinmo]

We have grapes .... they all originate from one single vine. I know nothing of the upkeep and care, so I don't do anything with them.

 

[showme31]

My husband and I started growing grapes a few years ago. We put in 6 vines of Niagara (this was a mistake purchase, we wanted table grapes) We don't really do anything special with them. We put them in, built an arbor and mulched them. With just that I managed to make some jelly from them. Last year we should've sprayed them, but with no income it wasn't possible so we lost the crop. Was a bit quick with the weed whacker and took out 1 nice vine. It came back better than ever. These are really kicking out some life on the arbor this year.

Two years ago we added 4 more vines, 2 purple or red table and 2 green table. We haven't had any fruit from these yet. In fact, they are having a rough go. I forgot they were there and weed whacked the whole area. Oops! This was the beginning of last summer and they did make come back. I haven't checked them yet this year. Note to self to walk down there tomorrow.

We really don't invest much time/effort in them and they do their thing. Pretty much keep them mulched, some all purpose fert in the spring and be sure they get watered if we hit drought like conditions. I'm sure if I don't use the weed whacker around them this year all will go well.

Here's a pic with the arbor in the background with just the Niagara on it. Simply built, easy to harvest from.

 

[ams3651]

I seriously considered it this year, a red seedless variety, we love them and so do the ladies. Just dont know too much about caring for them

 

[poultryhaven]

Quote:
What kind of animal is that? lol