How to Plant Cabernet Grapevines

Determine your region's suitability for cabernet sauvignon grapes. These grapes require at least 200 days of frost-free growing to achieve a grape harvest and won't grow where frost comes early. Plan to plant grapes as early in the spring as possible to achieve this growing season. If your region doesn't provide this long summer, consider growing cabernet grapevines in a greenhouse rather than outdoors.

Choose a site for your cabernet grapevines. The grapevines require sunlight for at least eight hours a day, so put them in the sunniest location in the garden. Find a site that gets full drainage after any rain or watering, as cabernet grapes also require complete drainage. Plant grapevines on a slight slope, if it's available.

Amend the soil in your planting site to a depth of 2 feet, with a combination of one-third quick-draining soil, one-third organic compost and one-third gravel, to ensure complete drainage both around and under the roots of the grapevines. Plant grapes deeply enough to completely submerge their root balls and pack amended soil in around the roots after planting to eliminate air pockets. Give each cabernet grapevine 9 feet in the row and each row 11 feet.

Water grapevines with 2 inches of water immediately after planting and spread 2 inches of organic mulch over the soil to preserve soil moisture and warmth.