Growing Grapes in the UK

Grapes can be grown successfully throughout the UK, and there are many varieties of grape available on the market. Grapes can be trained to grow against a wall, or a trellis and are a perfect fruit plant to grow if you want to hide an unsightly building.

Did you know.....Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause renal failure.

Step by step guide to growing your own grapes

Prepare your site to plant a grape vine

Grapes needs as much sun a spossible, so choose a site in a sunny position, preferably facing south. Vines which are grown on their own roots are not too fussy about soil, but it does have to be reasonably well drained, as grape vines do not like to sit in a puddle of water. Simply dig deeply over your chosen site, adding a little fertilizer. Make sure that any large clumps of soil are broken up.

When to plant a grape vine

Grape vines should be planted in the spring.

How to plant a grape vine

Vines can be planted against a wall, a trellis or can be grown out in the open. In all of these situations, the grape vine will need a support system on which to grow. If the grape vines are to be planted out in the open, they should be planted 4 ft apart in rows. A path of about 3ft should be left between the rows to enable access to the plants.

Routine care of grape vines

Grape vines need little cultivation after planting, so an occasional hoe between the plants to get rid of unwanted weeds should be sufficient. After the first year, you can shallow dig between the plants. Young vines are susceptible to drought during their first year, and should be watered frequently until they are well established. As the vine grows, their roots dig deep into the soil, and the threat of drought is no longer an issue.

How to prune a grape vine

Vines can be pruned in two ways, the first being the cordon pruning method, where the vine has a permanent stem and the fruiting shoots are cut back to one eye each year, this method is not suitable for vines who's basal buds (the bottom buds) are sterile. Most variants of vine can be pruned using the Guyot pruning system, which is suitable for all types of vine either in the open or against a wall.

All vines when planted should be cut down to three buds, and these should be left to grow freely for the first year. When the shoots are 6 inches long, pinch out the tips of all but the best shoot. This one shoot will be the leader shoot. Within the first year, this leader shoot should reach 5ft, if it has not, simply cut back to three buds again, and repeat again the following year. When the leader has reached five foot or more, cut it back to six buds (located up the main stem), and bend over to one foot from the ground. Remove all other side shoots by cutting back to two buds, except for the main one. Attach bent over leader to first rung of wire. In the following year, laterals shoots will grow from the leader, which will bear fruit. Allow any new shoots that appear to grow from the main stem, as these will form replacement shoots for the following year.

Grapes can be grown easiy under glass, either in a greenhouse or under a lean-to. Make sure that the greenhouse gets lots of sunshine, as grapes thrive in it.

When to harvest grapes

Grapes will swell at a tremendous pace from July through to September. Once they have swelled to their optimum size, they will start to ripen, and you will notice that the skin of the grape starts to become transparent. The sugar in the grape will increase, whilst the acidity will decrease. Grapes can be left on the vine during the autumn months, but keep an eye on them as they do tend to over-ripen or even rot, especially if the weather is damp. To see if grapes are ripe, simply pick one and eat it! If it's sweet, then it's ready.

Storing grapes for later use

Grapes can be picked and eaten straight from the garden, they can be collected and dried, or they can be turned into wine. Different varieties of grapes are grown for different uses, some are ornamental, some are grown as a dessert grape, and others are grown purely for winemaking. Grapes can be eaten raw, or can be used to make jam, juice, jelly, vinegar and oil.

Different varieties of grapes

Green Table grapes: Calmeria, Perlette & Sugarone

Red Table grapes: Black Corinth, Muscat & Red Globe

White Wine grapes : Chardonnay, Riesling & Sauvignon Blanc

Red Wine grapes: Pinot Noir, Merlot & Shiraz

Recommended varieties of grape vines

Vitis labrusca : Used to make grape juice, but sometimes used in winemaking.

Vitis riparia : Used for making jam and in making wine.

Vitis rotundifolia : The muscadines, used for jams and wine.

Serving suggestion for Grapes.....

Grape Juice |