Grapes Growing Guide
Grapes are not only a healthy snack rich in antioxidants and vitamins; they're a beautiful addition to your garden with their twisting tendrils. Whether you're looking to grow your own fruit, make your own jams or try out home winemaking, grapes can be a fulfilling and satisfying choice – with plenty of varieties available.
Introduction
Grapes are not only a healthy snack rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they also make a beautiful addition to your garden with twisting tendrils. Whether you want to grow your own fruit, make jams, or try home winemaking, grapes are a rewarding choice with plenty of varieties available. Below, we cover everything you need for a successful harvest.
When is the best time to plant grapes?
Plant grapes between October and March, though early spring is preferred to avoid frost damage to young vines. The soil is generally cool and moist, which helps the vines establish strong roots.
What grape varieties are available?
There are two main types of grapes:
- Dessert grapes: Eaten fresh, requiring warm conditions to ripen, often grown in polytunnels or greenhouses.
- Wine grapes: Grown for winemaking, usually grown outdoors; they tend to be small, seedy, and have a tough skin.
Within these categories, there are many varieties—white, green, red, seeded, and seedless—each with different flavors, ripening times, and resilience.
How to grow grapes
Choose a warm, sunny spot in your garden or a polytunnel. Plant against a wall or fence for support, leaving about 6 inches between the vine and the wall. Grapevines tolerate most free-draining soils.
- Ensure soil is well-drained and enriched with compost.
- Plant the vine so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Growing grapes in a polytunnel
Growing grapes in a polytunnel protects them from bad weather and retains heat, promoting a longer and more reliable yield. Plant the roots inside or just outside the polytunnel and train the vine inside.
Best conditions for growing grapes
Temperature & Sunlight: Grapes need warm, sunny conditions. Polytunnels help ensure consistent heat.
Soil: Grapes prefer well-draining soil. Avoid heavy clay; mix in compost or manure if needed.
Support: Grapevines need a wall, fence, or trellis. In polytunnels, the rod and spur pruning (cordon training) method is ideal for training vines and encouraging fruit production.
When to pick grapes
Harvest between August and November, depending on whether grapes are grown outside or in a polytunnel (which may allow earlier ripening). Grapes are ready when they reach full color, stems turn slightly woody, and they detach easily from the vine.
How to care for growing grapevines
- Watering: Water only when soil is dry to avoid overwatering.
- Training & Pruning: Train vines upward and prune in early winter to encourage new growth.
- Early flower removal: In the first two years, remove flowers to focus on root and plant development.
- Limit early fruit production: In years 3–5, allow only a few bunches to help the vine establish.
- Regular pruning: Once established, prune annually to maintain structure and fruit production.
Start growing grapes with help from Premier Polytunnels
Our durable range of polytunnels supports thriving grape harvests. Use our yearly planner to cultivate grapes alongside a wide range of vegetables, extending your growing season. For guidance, contact us at 01282 811250 or info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk.
