How to Keep Up Grape Vines to Produce Grapes

Choose the appropriate variety of grape according to your needs. Choose cultivars such as Catawba, Fredonia and Concord for eating, and Charbono, Melon and Picpoul Blanc for wine.

Choose a planting site with ample drainage and full sun, preferably on a south-facing slope. Test the soil using a pH kit. Amend the soil with lime if the pH reads lower than 5.0, which is moderately acidic.

Anchor the arbor or trellis at the planting site. Arbors are best for smaller plots of land since they allow for vertical growth, whereas trellises work best on acreage.

Prepare the bed using a rotary tiller. Cultivate the bed to a depth of between 2 to 3 feet until the soil is friable and free from large clumps.

Dig one planting hole every 8 feet if planting the grapes along a trellis, or one hole every 4 feet if using an arbor. Allow ample room in the hole to accommodate the roots of the plant without crowding.

Place the grape plant in the hole and gently unfurl its roots so they are spread evenly on all sides. Place small amounts of soil onto the roots and slowly increase the amount until the plant is firmly established and sturdy. Water the plant to a depth of 5 inches.

Prune away all the canes except for the healthiest and most vigorous one. Secure the cane to the structure with a tie.

Trim the remaining cane just above a healthy set of leaf buds. Allow the vine to grow undisturbed until each leaf bud produces a new lateral cane. Secure the new lateral canes to the structure using ties.

Apply 10-6-4 ratio fertilizer around the base of the plant two weeks after planting to encourage leaf production.

Remove any sucker growth during the growing season to help the vine put its nutrient stores toward fruit production.

Water grape vines lightly and frequently from spring until harvest. Apply 1 to 2 inches of water every two days during the growing season to prompt ample fruit production.