With the advent of large supermarket chains selling a wide array of modern cultivars of table grapes (even out of season), the romantic fruiting vines unfortunately gave way to ornamental vines and flowering creepers. The wheel has however turned, and nowadays it is very ‘in’ to grow your own edibles, including grapes.
To find the right grape cultivar(s) to plant in your climate is as simple as visiting your local garden centre, where they should be in stock now.
You need
A sturdy structure – grape vines are vigorous growers and will probably outlive you. Give them a sturdy pergola, arch, or a structure of gum poles and strong wire to cling to.
Planting a vine
Planting hole: 60cm x 60cm.
Soil amendments – generous amounts of compost and a handful of bonemeal.
Planting depth: plant the vine slightly deeper than the level it is in, growing in its nursery container.
Water deeply and mulch afterwards, away from the stem.
Directly after planting, cut back the stem to 3 – 4 buds (nodes).
This story is from the August 2020 edition of The Gardener.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of The Gardener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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