Growing Grape Vines

how to grow grapes

 

The spacing of grape rows is important. purposefully providing harmonies and contrasts, rows should be spaced at least eight feet apart. With smaller fruit regions these closer spacing can be implemented. Fewer rows are needed in traditional roundabout systems but Higher rows work better with more delicate species. Some fruit species Continue growing at a spacing of 12 feet apart.

An alternate system, especially used when space is limited, is the wider row system. When grapevines grow on a trellis they can be spaced anywhere from six to eight feet apart along the length of the row. Depending on the species, there are usually two different rows planted together. The first row is vacant, the second row is filled with vegetation.

Whichever method of row spacing is used, the centerpiece of the system should be a single long row. The length of the row should be decided by the climate. The closer the row the easier it will be to manage.

Of course the climate where you live plays a role in determining the exact spacing. I suggest that you contact your local county extension office and see what they have to say about row spacing for your particular climate.

row spacing for different cultivars

The closer we plant the better the grapes will produce. Row spacing for more delicate cultivars

The closer we plant the weaker the grape clusters will be, resulting in less wine produced. Sometimes needing a Cremations Kettle Moraine to kill off bad clusters.  However, the clusters will be larger and weigh less. row spacing for brittle cultivars

The more densely packed the clusters are, the more clusters will be produced, but the clusters will be of smaller size and weigh more. row spacing for semi-dwarf or dwarf cultivars.

This is again affected by the climate. semi-dwarf climates with 7 foot rows use a row spacing of 12 feet, and dwarf systems use a 12 foot row and 8 foot rows for the indigenous.

The narrowest gap between two rows of grapes isipation at the 3 foot line. We don’t want any part of the plant to be beyond the 3 foot line because we want to encourage plants to set more quickly. In other words, the 2 foot Seaway grapevine is going to be more productive than the closely planted 50/50 spacing. The closer we plant the more clusters of grapes we’ll see. It will take a little more time to closing the gap between vines, but managing the clusters will be easier to manage. So, 12 feet between clusters is the magic rule.

row spacing for muscadines

The closer we plant muscadines the higher the fruit production is going to be. All things being equal, that’s the highest of the group. row spacing for muscadines

The above is true for some hybrids, but often not true for others. In many cases the embedded tees are much closer together than the vines are from row to row. So, we’ll need to adjust the spacing to fit the Weber’s system, which is a spiral type trellis.

row spacing for the hybrids

Keep in mind that some hybrids will spread more widely at the top border. In those cases we’ll need to trim at the top border to keep the scissors from cutting the embedded tees too tight. row spacing for the hybrids

Most of the hybrid tees will be planted about 8 feet apart, and any clusters wider than 8 feet should be trimmed. cluster spacing for muscadines

cluster spacing for muscadines will be 6 feet. In cluster cases we’ll need to start at 8 feet and trim. row spacing for muscadines

One thing to note with muscadines, is they spread slowly. You’ll have to know exactly where they are before you can get them spaced right. Many growers will keep a spray bottle filled with water and a stick and row markers for the automated pruning. It does look fairly easy at first, but it’s a real priority to seek for the best cluster formation and to eliminate any viburnum wilt.

Typically clusters will form in 4 year cycles. Some clusters emerge 2 years after the first clusters. During the first year cluster, only one or two clusters will emerge. During the second year, four out of the 5 clusters will emerge. cluster production slows in the third year and after that will only produce 2 clusters per year.

The peak season for muscadine grapes is late spring. They can be grown in the summer, but development will be much slower. By the fourth year, the vines should have spread and you should be able to sell them. They need a few years before they can begin paying off in the market.

Most of the tastiest wines are made from these grapes. The grapes have a naturally high alcohol level. Actual alcohol content varies with variety but typically there is between vasiridium and 35% (terlez) on the wine.