How to Plant Grapes in California

Prepare your California soil for spring planting, loosening it to a depth of 2 feet with a garden fork. Test the pH with a soil-testing kit. Grapes prefer to grow in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Amend the soil if the pH is not within the optimum range. Add lime to soil with a pH below 5.5, or add peat moss if your California soil has a pH above 6.5. Check the directions on the amendment packaging for allocation amounts and application recommendations.

Dig holes for the California grapevines. Dig the holes large enough to provide the roots of the grapevines plenty of room for expansion. A 1-by-1-foot hole should suffice. Space each hole 8 feet apart.

Set one grapevine in the center of each hole. Spread the roots out and backfill the holes with soil. Pat the soil gently around each grapevine to remove air pockets.

Water the grapevines immediately after planting. Use a soaker hose, which delivers water directly to the roots. Supply the California grapevines with at least 1 inch of water per week for the first growing season. Once established, grapevines require supplemental watering only during droughts.

Apply a layer of bark-chip mulch or straw around the grapevines to keep weeds at bay. Mulching also helps to improve drainage and protect the roots of the California grapevines during the hot summer months and chilly winters.

Provide your grapevines with support. Erect a trellis or arbor a few inches behind the grapevines. Attach the vines to the supports using elastic twine. Grapevines will also grow along a fence and tend to travel the full length and height of their support.