Can Grapevines Be Planted Close to the Wall of a Home?

Choose the Right Variety of Grape

• Not all varieties of grapes grow well in all climates. Colder climates especially may demand that only certain varieties of grapes are planted to begin with. The best way to find out which varieties are best suited to your region is to ask --- inquire at your local nursery or ask your local agricultural department representative.

Choose a South-Facing Wall

• Grapes love the sun and they love the heat, so choose a south-facing wall for your planting whenever possible so your grapes can get the the sun at its best. If you live in a particularly hot climate, where the sun reflecting off a wall could actually bake your vines, then install a plastic sun screen that will block part of the light and heat, at least for the hottest part of the afternoon. Make certain that your vines get enough water --- the ground should be dampened regularly, but never kept soggy.

Provide a Trellis or Other Support

• Grapes need to climb, but they cannot climb on the flat wall of a house. Provide your grapes with a trellis of some sort. Two posts pounded into the ground on either side of your vines with string or wire strung between them would be enough, or a more elaborate wood and wire trellis could be constructed. Keep in mind that the tendrils grapes use to climb work best when grabbing onto thin structures, such as wire or string.

Fertilize Lightly and Prune Lightly

• Grapes are subject to frost damage, but growing grapes against a south-facing wall generally provides sufficient protection against all but the very heaviest frosts. Grapes require only light fertilizing, once per year, generally at the very beginning or the very end of the growing season. Prune gently in the fall, once all the leaves have fallen. Prune old, brown branches back to three buds --- new growth will sprout the following spring from these buds, and grapes will develop along the new growth.