Growing Grapes

There are more than 200 varieties of grapes across the globe and they are not only used for making wine but are also consumed because of their health importance. There is nothing like going out in your yard grabbing a fresh ripe grape right from the vine, so we are providing you a guide to tell you how to grow your own grapes so you can be in fresh ones too.  

Health Benefits

• Grapes contain polyphenols such as resveratrol, which are antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, they control tumor growth in the colon, stomach, lymph, breast, liver, and skin.
• According to research, increasing your consumption of potassium can improve your cardiovascular health. Grapes are rich in fiber and potassium, which are both excellent for the heart.
• Getting more potassium can minimize the adverse effects of taking in too much sodium because grapes are loaded with potassium. It can lower the effects of sodium in those suffering from high blood pressure.
• Eating grapes can protect you from diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy because of the resveratrol contents.
• Grapes can maintain eye health because they contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals.
• Resveratrol in grapes helps to shed excess calories more effectively, thus help in weight loss.
• Resveratrol content in grapes is also helpful to improve the immune system in our body.
• Eating grapes every day can relieve pain in the knees and improve joints’ flexibility, especially for those with knee osteoarthritis.

 

Planting Grapes

Selecting Variety

There are four main types of grapes, American, European, and hybrids of American and European. American grapes are more resistant to cold than European ones; they are easier to harvest and less susceptible to disease. European grapes are the ones that produce most of our table vines around the world. They are a bit more vulnerable to disease and a bit more challenging to grow. Hybrid grapes are less susceptible to diseases and more resistant to cold than European ones. When selecting a variety, choose types and varieties that are compatible with your location, which will make it easier to grow and get good harvests. Be sure to select varieties that are resistant to disease and very easy to grow.

Selecting Site

When you have a good idea of what kind of grapes you are growing, you can start picking a location and prepping that spot. Grapes like growing in full sun need to have a trellis or fence for them to grow up. Grapes like a pH of 5 to 6 and a lot of organic matter in the soil.

How to Plant?

Dig the hole deep enough to spread the root ball in it. Backfill the dig and keep the grafted place above the soil level of the ground so that the actual scion vine doesn’t start to make its roots. After backfilling, water your vine so that the soil settles at its place. Tap the ground gently with your hands or foot to make sure that no air pocket is left.  

Care

• Focus on root production when the grapevines are young. Don’t allow your vine to grow too tall and consume all energy.
• Don’t fertilize your vines in the first year. But if you have planted grapes in soil with no nutrient contents, you can apply a little.
• Mulching your vines is essential because it can retain the moisture content of the ground.
• Use nets or bags to prevent your vines from birds and animals.
• Pruning unhealthy vines will encourage healthy new growth on your vine. Prune your vines to two or three fruitful stems in winter when dormant. In the spring, you should see new growth.
• Prune their foliage to help them mature. If your grapes are not fully ripe, cut back some of the foliage from the grapes to allow more sun.

 

Harvesting Grapes

Taste your grapes to see if they are ready to harvest. Your grapes are ready to harvest when they are plump, juicy, and have a deep, full flavor. Take some grapes out of your vineyard to test their maturity. When they’re ripe, just pick them up, wash them, and eat them. Store your grapes in a cool, dry place. Store your harvested grapes in a cool place, such as a basement, in a cardboard box or drawer to separate them from other foods. Harvested grapes can be stored for up to six weeks.  

Pest, Disease, and Their Management

• Anthracnose(Elsinoe ampelina)

The small brown lesion develops on the leaves resulting in the leaves dying. Lesions on shoots may cause shoots to become distorted and dieback. The presence of dark holes on stems, leaves, and tendrils may cause rings of damage, ultimately killing all parts of the plant. Management Plant disease-resistant cultivars; applying fungicides or Bordeaux mixture to infected parts may overcome this problem.

• Armillaria root rot(Armillaria mellea)

You can found white mycelial mats under the bark of the root crown of infected plants. The Armillaria mellea fungus (Rhizomorphs) can also be seen between the bark and the wood or extending into the surrounding soil. Management Pre-plant soil fumigation is most effective in soils known or suspected to have carried the disease.

• Powdery Mildew(Erysiphe necator)

Berries can become infected immediately after flowering up to 4 weeks after flowering. They turn an ashy gray color and quickly become covered with spores. Berries that become infected later in the susceptibility period tend to split, making them susceptible to infection with Botrytis. Management Practice a 1-2% oil treatment to the vines within two days of water utilization. In general, petroleum-based oils work better than vegetable oils. Complete coverage of the spray is essential for good results. Forget about baking soda products; they do not work when the powdery mildew pressure is too high.