What Do Most Grape Plants Need to Bear Fruit?

Temperature

• Grapes must have a long frost-free summer if they're to grow to maturity and bear fruit. You should always plant grapes that are hardy to your region and bred specifically for your weather, as grapes that are too sensitive for the area won't bear successful harvests.

Location

• Grapes need full sun for eight hours every day if they're to bloom and bear fruit. Protection from the wind and well-drained soil is necessary as well.

Nutrition

• Grapes should grow in a mixture of soil and organic compost to give them good drainage and nutrition from the start. Ohio State University Extension recommends applications of 10-10-10 fertilizer immediately after planting and every spring thereafter, to encourage the plants to bloom and bear healthy fruit.

Training and Pruning

• Grapes grow on long vines that need support, so should always have a trellis or arbor system. Tie the vines to the trellis to guarantee better sun and air exposure for fruit development. Grapes also need regular pruning if they're to keep growing. Oregon State University Extension recommends cutting grapevines down to four bearing canes every winter, with only 20 to 30 growing buds per plant.