Grape

Calendar of Backyard Gardening Operations for Grapes

Winter Dormant Season

  • Prune to remove 75% to 90% of last year's growth and to maintain the form of the vine in the location desired. Almost all varieties can be cut to reduce canes to short spurs.
  • Leave 3 buds on each spur if the cans are fat (diameter of thumb), 2 buds on medium canes (index finger size), and 1 bud for pencil diameter canes.
  • Cane pruning is required for Thompson Seedless, but will work for any variety. Leave 3–6 canes containing 10–15 buds, depending on the vigor of the vine.
  • Vines with numerous fat long canes can support many long fruiting canes. However, those with short skinny growth should be pruned back heavily, leaving fewer canes and buds per cane. Generally 30–50 buds are left per mature vine regardless of the pruning system.

Spring Bloom Season

  • Provide frost protection in cold areas by covering above tender shoots with cloth or paper to reduce heat loss to the atmosphere.
  • Dust or spray at 2 week intervals to prevent powdery mildew. Use dusting sulfur, wettable sulfur, or a 1% solution of soapy water. American varieties and hybrids are resistant to powdery mildew and need not be treated.
  • Fertilize mature vines with 1 lb. of urea or 20 lbs. of manure at bloom time. Water fertilizer in.

Summer Growing Season

  • Continue dusting or spraying sulfur or soap to control powdery mildew on European varieties until fruit is nearly ripe.
  • Irrigate vines, providing 3–4 inches of water every 3 weeks during the heat of the summer. Reduce water as fruit ripens.

Fall Harvest Season

  • Remove all clusters of grapes and enjoy the fruit. Do not leave mummies of old fruit hanging on the vine.
  • For the next season, control weeds around the base of the vine with a heavy (3–4" thick) organic mulch.

Resources

Last updated September 13, 2007