How to Grow & Care for Reliance Grapes

Purchase Reliance grapevines from a local gardening center, or order them from a nursery catalog. Select plants that appear to have healthy root systems and are not damaged.

Prepare a spot in the garden to grow the grapes. Choose a sheltered site with full sun exposure, and make sure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Add organic matter or compost to the top of the soil for optimal grape growth.

Plant grapevines as deep as the soil mark on the stem. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart in rows at least 6 feet apart to allow room for adequate vine growth. South-facing walls are ideal for grape growing since they require full sun and high temperature exposure to thrive. Plant in the early spring for the best results.

Apply a nitrogen fertilizer a couple of weeks after planting. Add mulch for weed suppression and to help retain soil moisture. Avoid using any fertilizers that contain herbicides. Reapply the fertilizer each spring before new growth begins.

Tie in the main stems as they grow to a support system such as a trellis, pergola or arch to support the grapevines. Train them on a trellis for an eye-catching display of fruit that also provides shade in the heat of the summer.

Watch and treat for diseases such as black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew and leaf spot. Common grape pests to look out for include the grape berry moth, Japanese beetle and grape flea beetle.

Harvest the grapes after they have ripened on the vine. The skins will become nearly translucent. The longer they are left on the vine, the sweeter the grape will be.

Prune the grapevines in the winter when the vines are dormant. This makes way for new growth the following year.