How to Grow Merlot

Find a location in the fall that receives at least 8 hours of sun and has some wind protection. The rows should be planted in a north-to-south direction to get the maximum amount of sun. Remove all the weeds and other vegetation growing in the area, and then till up the soil. Amend the soil with 3 to 4 inches of compost. It is a good idea to have your soil tested so you can add the necessary nutrients that the Merlot vines need for proper growth and production.

Dig holes with a spade or shovel in the spring when all danger of frost is past. The holes should be twice as wide and twice as deep as the grapevine’s container. Scuff the sides and bottom of the planting holes, so the roots can penetrate through the soil easier. Space the holes 8 feet apart, with 10 to 12 feet of space between each row.

Prune the grapevines back, leaving each cane with two or three buds. This encourages the grapevine to branch out more.

Remove the Merlot’s root ball from the container. Scuff the sides of the root ball with your fingers. If the roots are visible, gently pull them away from the root ball. This keeps the roots from choking the grapevine to death.

Backfill the amended soil into the hole, filling it a little over half full. Position the root ball into the hole, checking it for depth. The top of the root ball should be a fourth of an inch higher than ground level. The soil will settle below the root ball, leaving the root ball level with the ground. For bare-root vines, place them in the ground so the base of the grapevine is level with the ground. Finish filling in the planting hole. Tamp the soil down to eliminate air pockets.

Turn the water on to a slow flow, and water the grape vines deeply and thoroughly to a depth of 16 inches.

Place a 3-to-4-inch layer of mulch over the ground. The mulch keeps weeds from growing and also helps the soil to retain moisture.

Place a trellis behind the grapevines to provide support for the grapevines to grow on. Pound posts into the ground behind the grapevines, spacing them 8 to 10 feet apart. Secure two to five wires on the posts to make a fence. Begin the lowest wire 1.5 to 2 feet above the ground, and space the other wires 15 inches apart. As the grapevines grow, secure the branches of the vine to the wire with soft twine.

Feed the grape vines with a 10-10-10 fertilizer about seven days after planting. Mix and apply according to label directions.