Grape Vines

Yes, you can! You can grow grapes undercover in a greenhouse or conservatory, or outdoors. Our writer Ally has even produced a healthy crop of grapes up in Yorkshire. In fact, the UK has a growing vineyard industry.

Grapes are very simple to grow. Ideally, plant an established plant in a sheltered position in full-sun for the best crop. Grapevines need space to climb, so ensure to plant next to a sturdy structure such as a pergola or arch, or support with wires along a fence. In the first season ensure to keep well watered.

Leave 1.5m between each grape plant, and 15cm between the plants and the supporting wall or trellis.

It’s best to plant new grape vines between October and March.

If you are not in a hurry for grapes, they can be grown from seed. However, it is a long process with many factors to consider. By far, the easiest and quickest way to ensure a harvest of juicy grapes is to start with a plant. These may be grafted plants or grown on from cuttings of a mature vine. Meaning you get a grapevine ready to thrive!

Grape vines can climb structures fast. New shoots grow vigorously in the warmth of spring and summer. At their peak in the growing season, they have been known to even grow an inch per day! Although as temperatures fall again, growth will slow. In the winter, the vine will go dormant for a well-deserved rest.

Grape vines appreciate a good feed, and will reward you later with lush growth and hopefully some yummy grapes. Ideally feed the plant with a high potassium fertiliser early in the Spring, before the plant gets going again. Some grapevines grown inside or in containers may need additional feeding throughout the summer.

Yes! Grapevines will enjoy the warmth and shelter inside a greenhouse. You can either plant the vine directly in the ground in your greenhouse or in a pot. Another option is to plant the grape outside of the greenhouse and then train the vine inside the greenhouse. However, you will need some sort of gap for this option.

It varies by variety, but grapes begin to ripe from late summer well into autumn. Although if the weather has been particularly hot or cold, this may vary. Ensure to pick grapes only when they are ready, as they will not continue to ripen off of the vine.

Usually grapevines will not produce a good grape harvest until they are in their third year of growth. Our grapevines take about two years to crop. But in the meantime you will still have an abundance of glorious green foliage which turns to stunning burnt orange and red shades in autumn.

To ensure you get plenty of fruit, grapevines need a good prune in early winter whilst they are dormant. Aim for late November and December to avoid sap bleeding. Pruning methods depend on the age of the grape vine, so make sure to have a read before you get started.

There are three main ways to train your grapevine, depending on your space and preference. 1. Rod and spur system. 2. Guyot system. And 3. Standard. The RHS have brilliant guides on pruning and training for each method.

There are many seedless grape varieties available. Some of our favourites include ‘Boskoop Glory’, ‘Crimson Seedless’, ‘Superior Seedless’, ‘Suffolk Red’, ‘Vanessa’, ‘Lakemont’, and ‘Autumn Royal’.

No one knows for certain. Seedless grapes originally formed from a natural mutation which stopped the seeds from forming a hard outer-coat, making it hard to determine when this exactly occured, but it could have been a very long time ago. Although what we do know is that they were developed in California by a Scottish farmer, William Thompson, in the 1870s for making raisins. His variety ‘Thompson’ gained widespread popularity.

You can make wine with your own homegrown grapes, which is sure to impress guests at your next dinner party! The main steps involve 1.Crushing and pressing your grapes. 2. Fermenting the juice. 3. Ageing the wine. 4. Bottling, and of course 5. Enjoying fine wine! This process involves some specialised equipment, so make sure to prepare before you get started.

Yes, in late spring/early summer, the grape plant produces clusters of tiny flowers. These are self fertile, so pollinate themselves without the need for bees, and soon form the fruit, i.e. the bunch of grapes.

It will vary by variety and environmental conditions, but grapevines can live up to 100 years, and sometimes beyond if cared for attentively. The Great Vine planted at Hampton Court Palace in 1768, is the largest grape vine in the world and is over 250 years old!