How to Plant Grape Vineyards

Great wine, juice and fruit salad begin with great fruit. All of the mixing machinery and ingredients in the world will not make up for a bad batch of grapes if you are making homemade grape products. It is extremely important to grow healthy and tasty grapes, and that process begins with the planting. Grapes are fairly resistant to many environments, but, like most plants, will grow best if exposed to the correct soil, climate and light. Plant your grape vines carefully, and you can have many years of successful fruit production.

Vines
Shovel
Watering can or hose

Instructions

- 1
  Select a site to plant your vines. Grape vines grow best in direct sunlight, in an area with easily flowing air and with soil that drains well. Grapes are often planted on a slope. West Virginia University's Extension Service advises that the slope should be between two and three feet for 100 feet of land.
- 2
  Plan the vineyard so that you know where to dig your holes for your vines. Grape vines should be planted at least six feet apart in their rows to avoid the vines competing for water and soil nutrients. Rows should be kept at least nine feet apart to allow for proper spraying and harvesting with machinery.
- 3
  Dig holes for your vines so that the roots stand about two to three inches deeper in the soil than they were in their holding containers. Generally, the holes should be 24 to 36 inches deep. The holes should be wide enough to accommodate the vine roots, with two to three extra inches around the sides to allow roots to spread.
- 4
  Place one to two inches of surface soil in the base of the hole, and then insert the vine's roots. Fill in the hole with soil, firming it as you go to make sure the soil is in direct contact with the roots.
- 5
  Water the grape vines just after planting to encourage growth. Water until the soil is completely moist to the touch.

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