Distance Between Concord Grape Vines at Planting

Growing Grapes

• All grapes, including Concord, are planted and trained to grow on a trellis system, not randomly sprawling across the soil or on nearby shrubs and trees like in the wild. The trellis, which often is two strong wires strung between two posts, facilitates pruning and tying vines to receive maximum light and air for optimal grape growing. Properly spacing trellis posts and plants in a row, and in additional rows, maximizes vineyard space while still maintaining good and vigorous Concord grapevines.

Plant Spacing

• Grapevines are planted no closer than 8 to 10 feet from each other. Concord grape's viney stems reach 10 to 25 feet in a year. Since the plants are pruned back each spring, the resulting new growth sprawls out to cover the trellis. An 8-foot-on-center spacing provides the bare minimum space on an expansive trellis for vine to grow both left and right without shading nearby plants. If space allows, one Concord grape every 20 feet is ideal, especially in mild winter regions where the growing season is long and soil fertile.

Trellising Issues

• Trellis constructed for Concord grapes need to be both durable and strong. A mature grapevine bearing lots of fruits becomes quite heavy, and puts a huge load on the trellis wires and posts on windy days. Space trellis posts no farther apart than 28 feet, according to Iowa State University. Ideally, use metal or wood posts 6-inches in diameter and measure 8 to 9 feet tall. Bury the post supports 2 to 3 feet deep. Plant one grape vine for every 20 feet of horizontal space on the trellis.

Planting Tips

• If you choose to plant a Concord grape against a lattice wall, fence or arbor, plant it 18 inches away from the structure. Orient the plant at a 45-degree angle toward the support structure. Cut away any broken roots at planting time and plant it at the same depth it had grown in the nursery field or container.

Row Spacing

• Additional rows of grapevines in the vineyard should be oriented north-to-south. This maximizes sunlight on plant between rows with minimal threat of shading leaves. Space rows 8 to 12 feet apart from each other. Widen the between-row spacing if your maintenance or harvesting equipment or vehicles need more clearance.