How to Grow New Grape Vines From Roots

Select grape vine roots by the type of grapes you want to grow: wine, table or slipskin, and the cultivars that suit your growing zone.

Soak grape vine roots in a bucket of water one to two hours before planting. This will help the root system establish faster once it is planted.

Cut away extra canes, leaving only the biggest cane on the grape vine root. On this cane, prune with shears or scissors until you have no more than four strong buds. This will help the grape vine distribute nutrients properly between its roots and the strongest vine.

Observe the soil line on the top half of the root (this is how deep it was planted in the nursery) and how wide the root system is. Dig a hole a few inches wider than the roots, and as deep as the level of the soil line. Place grape vine in the hole roots facing down and spread out the roots.

Fill hole with a mixture of soil and organic compost and mound organic compost loosely on top of the grape vine root. Add a pergola, trellis, chain-link fence or grape- or arbor-stakes nearby to provide the new grape vines support when they grow in.

Water new grape vines with at least 1 inch of water per week during the first growing season and prune with shears or scissors at the end of the growing season (winter) when the plant is dormant.