Growing Grapes: Easy to Do and Fun to Watch

You'd think after all thee years living in Italy I'd have already taken a stab at growing grapes -- they are certainly easy enough to grow but like anything else, grapes demand a certain amount of time,attention, the right climate, and environment. I figure I finally have the time, it's generally sunny in Southern Italy and if I can't grow grapes here I better pick another country to live in. I can't guarantee you'll have the same success as me because I don't know where you live.

Anyway let me start by saying that grapes -- fortunately for me and weekend gardeners everywhere -- grow all over the world in virtually any climate or soil type. They are especially easy to grow when planted from grape vine cuttings taken during the off season (also known as the "dormant season"). So actually my little story began last year. But at that time who knew if I would have a story to tell? In early spring, before the grape buds begin to bud, you can vine cuttings and place them in a prepared 24-inch deep hole, allowing two buds to remain above the soil surface (I have actually planted cuttings with more than two buds above the surface but I'm trying to simplify things here).

I'm at possibly a slight advantage because I was able to get grape vine cuttings from friends who already had grape vines. If you are not so lucky you can purchase pre-potted grape vines and plant those. As far as transplanting the vine cuttings, you'll be happy to know that grapevines aren't fussy about planting depth. In fact, it's impossible to plant them too deeply. If you plant vines sold in cardboard sleeves, there's no need to remove the container, as it will soon rot in the soil. It's recommended, however, that you leave the top of the sleeve just above the surface of the soil.
Once the grapes are planted, it's a matter of regularly watering them. If you can set up a drip-irrigation system for your vines you go to the head of the class. If you can't do that, let's say you're just trying to grow some vines up and around a trellis, than you have to maintain a schedule to water the vine cuttings on a regular basis.