How to Plant Wine Grapes in Oregon

Bed Planting

• 1

  Get cuttings of the grape vines varieties you wish to plant. Don't get these cuttings outside of Oregon. Because of pests and diseases which can be brought it from other areas, there are strict quarantine regulations that must be followed. Get your cuttings from a reputable source that will certify that they are disease free.

• 2

  Plant cuttings in garden boxes or propagation beds for the first year so you can closely control their growing conditions. This will help ensure that they are rooted properly. Because Oregon has a relatively long growing season, these cuttings are best taken in February when vines are still dormant.

• 3

  Set cuttings 6 inches apart, in rows. Leave a distance of 2 to 4 feet between rows so that you can easily pass between them. The cuttings should be placed at a depth which places the basal and center buds under the surface of the soil with the top bud just above the surface. It is important that the cutting is set right side up. Pack the soil firmly around the base of the cutting. If you live in an area of Oregon where there is still a threat of frost in February, put a layer of mulch around the cutting to protect it from damage.

• 4

  Prepare the soil for plant rooting and growth. Fertilize the soil using a 16-16-16 fertilizer at an application rate of one cup per 10 row feet. This should be tilled in at a depth of 3 to 6 inches. In some areas of Oregon, high clay content in soil leads to poor soil drainage. If your soil has a high clay content, incorporate some sawdust to improve water drainage.

• 5

  Water in such a manner that soil moisture is well-maintained and consistent. In dry, arid areas of Oregon, frequent watering may be required for plants to take root well.

• 6

  Weed the propagation beds frequently to ensure that the nutrition available in the soil is going to the grapes and not to weeds.

• 7

  Move cuttings to their permanent location. This should be done after a year of care in the propagation beds, when the cutting's roots have become well-established, and before active growth begins in the spring. In Oregon, new growth typically begins in late April and early May.

Permanent Planting

• 8

  Till the soil where you intend to permanently establish the vines. Do this in the early spring, as soon as you can work the soil. Tilling both clears the weeds from the area you wish to permanently establish your grape vines, and turns the soil. In Oregon, this is typically done in early April, though in colder areas of the state a delay of a few weeks may be appropriate.

• 9

  Till the ground a second time working in compost. Use only well-rotted materials. This will take the place of applying fertilizers. In areas of Oregon where soil has a lot of clay in it, and more compost is necessary, rotted leaves, sawdust, and other well-rotted organics will make the clay soil better suited to grape growth and production.

• 10

  Dig plants out of the propagation beds with great care. It is important that the root system not be damaged during transplant. Prune the vines. Cut the cane back to two buds, and trim down any roots which were broken off.

• 11

  Dig a whole for each plant which is large enough to spread out the roots. It is important that the hole is big enough that none of the roots have to be bent to fit. The hole should also be deep enough that the plant and its roots can be set to the same depth they were in the propagation beds. Plants should be kept 6 to 9 feet apart. If you live in an area of Oregon with relatively little annual rainfall, leave a slight depression around the base of each plant. This will allow you to water the plant directly against the base. Watering from above can cause fruit rot, and is not recommended.