How to Sweeten Grapes

Grapes grow best in warm climates with hot, dry summers, including places like Central and Northern California. The mild winters prevent the grapevines from dying back in the winter, and the hot summers produce sweet, flavorful grapes. Some grape varieties do grow in cooler climates with short growing seasons as long as they are properly cared for. The best way to make sure your grapes are sweet is to choose the sweetest grape varieties available in your climate.

Shovel
Compost
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Instructions

- 1
  Select a site for your grapes that faces south. The heat of a southern exposure will ensure your grapes grow as sweet as they can. Well drained, rich soil is also important for sweet grape growing.
- 2
  Select sweet grape cultivars, either American grapes like Steuben and Buffalo or French-American grapes like Himrod and Vanessa. Avoid wine grape cultivars, as they will not be as sweet as table and dessert grapes.
- 3
  Plant your grapevines in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Add 2 to 3 inches of compost to the soil and work it into a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Dig a hole as deep as your grapevine's root ball and place the grapevine into the hole. Fill the hole with soil.
- 4
  Water grapevines once a week with 1 inch of water if there is no natural irrigation.
- 5
  Harvest the grapes once they are sweet. Taste the grapes on the vine before you pick them, as they may look ripe before they are. Cut the sweet grape cluster from the vine when they are ready for picking.

How to Promote Grape Growth on Vines

Height of Grapevines

Growing Grapes