How to Grow Table Grapes in a Temperate Climate

Select a sunny south-facing location, preferably sheltered from winter winds. Grapes need heat and sunlight during the growing season.

Build the trellis for the grapes. Set 6-foot posts in cement, 2 feet deep and 6 feet apart. Space the eye hooks on the posts at 6, 18, 32 and 46 inches with the "hook" facing up. Run the wires through the eye hooks in four horizontal rows.

Dig the planting hole with a shovel, centered between two posts, a little deeper than the roots and 2 feet in diameter. Fill the planting hole with water and allow to soak into the soil.

Remove the bare-root grape from the packaging. Carefully spread the roots and trim any broken or decayed roots. Carefully set in the planting hole and backfill with soil. Tamp gently and water thoroughly. Unless the soil is extremely poor, do not amend with compost or add fertilizer.

Add 4 inches of mulch around the grapevine, pulling it back 4 inches from the trunk. Wet mulch sitting against the grapevine's trunk encourages decay and provides a hiding place for rodents and pests.

Prune the trunk at 6 to 8 inches tall. As the grapevines grow, encourage low-growing branches to twine along the wires, pruning carefully so you have one vine on each wire, extending outward from the trunk. Grapes grow on second year vines; the first year you are pruning and training the grapevines.

Water regularly, but do not allow the grapevine to sit in water. Do not fertilize.

Prepare for winter by pruning the vines, removing third year growth. Generally these are the harder, woody vines.

Lift the wires off the eye hooks and lay the grapevines on the ground. You may need to weigh the vines down with 2-by-4 boards.

Cover the grapevines with a 6- to 8-inch layer of dry straw. If your garden is in a windy location, cover the straw with tarps to prevent the straw from blowing away.

Uncover the grapevines when spring arrives and all chance of a hard frost is past. Lift the wires and replace on the hooks. Prune any broken vines.