Greenwood cuttings are when you take vines from the current growing season during the summer. Varieties like muscadine grapes only grow from cuttings taken in the summer. [2] X Research source
If a vine has any damage or disease, pick a healthier-looking vine instead.
It’s okay if your vine has more than 3 buds, but stay away from vines where the nodes are spaced further apart.
The angled cut also helps water run off the stem so it’s less likely to develop rot while it’s growing.
Your peat moss is dry enough when your hand feels damp after you squeeze it. If your hand is still soaking wet, then the moss has too much moisture. If you’re collecting stems from multiple varieties of grapes, bundle each group of cuttings separately and label them.
While many people recommend using rooting hormones, grape vines grow just fine after soaking them in water. Rooting hormones could actually prevent your vines from forming healthy roots. [9] X Research source
Grape vines grow best in loose soil, so be careful not to press it down or compact it too much.
This helps your vines establish more roots instead of growing new shoots.
Your plants need around 1 inch (2. 5 cm) of water every week. Too much water could cause your vines to develop rot.
It’s alright if there’s a bit of shade covering your plant during the afternoon hours.
If you plant your grape vines too late in the spring, your vines won’t grow as large or they may even die out.
Your grapes are less likely to grow healthy vines or fruits if they’re grown somewhere without sunlight.
If you need to increase the pH, add lime or wood ash. If you need to lower the pH, add aluminum sulfate or sulfur. [19] X Research source If you need to improve your soil drainage, try mixing in compost or manure to help. [20] X Research source
If you’re planting multiple cuttings in the ground, space them so they’re around 8–10 feet (2. 4–3. 0 m) apart. [22] X Research source
Soaking the roots in water may help break apart more soil and help you find damaged roots. Be sure to disinfect your shears with rubbing alcohol after cutting off the roots to prevent them from spreading diseases.
Adding soil amendments to the hole, like compost or manure, can prevent the roots from expanding and growing strong, so only use regular topsoil.
The strongest stem becomes the new main trunk for the rest of your vines.
Drip irrigation systems work really well for keeping the soil moist without getting waterlogged.
You can buy netting and traps from your local garden center.
Try covering the area around your plants with 1–2 inches (2. 5–5. 1 cm) of mulch to keep weeds from coming back.
During the second and third growing years, use 1 cup (227 g) of fertilizer instead. After the fourth year, you can use up to 2 cups (454 g).
For the second growing year and each year after, prune the healthy vines so they have 6–10 buds on them. Choose 2 other healthy vines and cut them back to 2–3 buds.
Training and trellising your grape vines help air flow through the vines so they don’t get too crowded.
Grapes are ready to harvest when they’re plump and juicy with rich colors.
