How to Grow Grapes & Control Pests

Decide which type of grapes you're going to grow. Contact your local nursery or home and garden center for advice on which types grow best in your area.

Find a suitable location in your yard for grapes. Grapes require a lot of sunlight and high temperatures, so plant them on the south side of your property, which will provide them with the most sunlight. Also, place them in a spot where the soil drains well. A hill that faces toward the south can fit both needs.

Plant the vines in the soil. Dig a hole deep enough and wide enough to accommodate the vine's root system. Place the vine into the hole and spread out the roots. Cover the roots with soil and tamp it down to create a slight depression around the base of the vine. Place the vines 6 to 8 feet apart.

Water the soil enough to keep it damp, but don't overwater the vines as it can harm them. Your soil type will determine how often you need to add water. Sandy soils drain fairly quickly and will need to be watered more often than clay soils, which retain moisture.

Drive wooden stakes that are 3 feet high into the ground behind the vines. You will train the vines to grow on the stakes. Tie the vines to the stakes to support them, tying them near the top and bottom of the stakes.

Add nitrogen to the soil two weeks after planting the vines. Use 10 lbs. of 10-6-4 fertilizer for every 100 feet of soil.

Prune the vines by removing all shoots between the two ties, and leave no more than two shoots below the lower tie.

Apply fungicide to the vines to prevent fungus from growing -- once the fungus appears, the vines will probably die. Contact your local nursery for advice on which fungicide will work best for you and how to apply it.

Research what types of insects can be problematic to grape vines in your area. State universities, your state's agriculture department, and your local nursery can provide you with this information. Some insects are beneficial to your vines, so you only want to eradicate insects that harm your vines.

Protect your vines from animal pests. If deer are a problem, erecting a fence around your vines can block them from reaching the vines. Spraying the vines with peppers and hot sauce can also act as a deterrent. Covering the vines with netting can protect them from birds.