What Types of Soil Do You Plant Grape Vines In?

Volcanic Soil

• Volcanic soil grows the most well-known grapes in the world. From Etna and Vesuvius in Italy to Mount St. Helens in the United States, the soil on the slopes of these volcanoes produce grapes that make world-renown wines of varying fruitiness and tannins.

Gravelly Soil

• Another desirable soil for grapevines contains gravel. The right ratio of gravel to soil will allow the roots to move uninhibited through the soil while the gravel helps keep the roots from getting too cold or too hot.

Sandy Soil

• Sandy soil, free of perennial weeds such as quackgrass, also produces healthy vines with succulent fruit. This soil holds enough water for a plant to thrive while draining the excess water (which is the most important factor in establishing a healthy vine).

Clay Soil

• Grapevines won't grow well in heavy clay soils having poor drainage or soils having impervious subsoil claypan. However, well-rotted farmyard manure, peat moss, compost from oak, ash and lime trees in a sandy loam/clay mixture creates an acceptable soil environment. A 6-inch elevated container with a large hole in the base, filled with potting soil, will give the vine a good start before it grows down into the clay.

Acidity

• Native to the New England acid soils, North American varieties of grapes such as Vitis labrusca, unlike the typical European variety (V. vinifera) tolerate acid soils (< pH 5.6) and subsequently do not do well in soils containing lower pH. However, if the pH level gets too high, the calcium in the soil does not allow the roots to absorb enough iron, a component in chlorophyll, causing the leaves to turn yellow and eventually kill the plant. If the soil's pH is too low, root growth is compromised.

Location

• Ideally, ground should be situated on the upper side of a southern slope to get the most sun exposure, and offer protection from wind and early frost.

Fertility

• Grapevines like fairly fertile soil, but too fertile soil will promote an overabundance of vegetative growth that limits fruit production.