Grape Vine Care

Grape is one such fruit that most of us love. It is all the more exciting when you grow grapes in your own garden! For this reason, it is one of those old cultivated plants that people started growing in their house gardens. There is a large variety of grapes that require different climatic conditions for growth and survival. However, the basic procedure of caring for all varieties is more or less the same.

How to Care for a Grapevine

While growing grapes at home, the most important thing that needs to be taken into account is the weather condition. Most species of grapes grows well in warm temperature as it facilitates growth and ripening of the fruit. However, it cannot tolerate extreme heat or cold. The right time for plantation of grapes is early part of spring after the last frost is over. It should be planted in well drained soil at one such location where it receives full sunlight. As it is a climbing plant, you have to provide it with adequate support structure or trellis and train the vines to confine its growth on the given structure only and do not grow on anything else lying in its surroundings. The process of grape vine care begins soon after planting of the young vines. The main steps are as follows:

Watering
In the first year, the newly planted vines should be watered more frequently to ensure growth of healthy and strong roots. Ideally, one bucket of water should be provided every week. Grapevine should not be watered in the fall. This is because if you stop watering the plant then it can use up excess of water and prepare itself for the winter. During this time, it produces an antifreeze substance that can protect itself from the damaging effects of frost. If you continue to water the plant, then it will not be able to get rid of the extra water and is at a greater risk of frost damage.

Fertilizer
At the time of planting, you have to prepare the soil by adding compost to it. If you have done that, then it does not require additional supply of nutrients in the first year. Later on, nitrogen fertilizer is most suitable for grapevine in its growing season. However, avoid using too much of nitrogen fertilizer. This is because it tends to increase leaf growth. Excessive leaf on grapevine may adversely affect production of fruits.

Pruning
One of the most vital part of grape vine care is pruning and it has to be carried out with little bit of extra care. The right time for pruning grape vines is late winter when it is still in dormant state. Buds that are badly damaged by frost should be eliminated. You will find some new shoots growing along the main stem. These shoots are useless and cannot bear fruit. It can affect vine growth. You have to cut out all these parts keeping the main stem intact.

Protection
Grapevine is often attacked by pests, insects, birds and animals. A pest attack can be identified with signs like discoloration of leaves and rot in fruits. You have to use pesticides to control them. However, do not use any such pesticides that are generally used for lawn care as they are not good for grapes. For protection of grapevine from insects, birds and animals, cover it up with a net.

After investing so much of time and effort in grape vine care, you have finally harvested fresh grapes in your garden. Now, it is time to relish these juicy fruits. You can eat them as fresh fruits or you can process them to obtain jam, jelly, or wine and enjoy them!