How to Grow Marechal Foch Grapevines

Plant Marechal Foch grapevines outdoors in Zones 5 to 8 in early spring, just after the last frost. These grapevines survive frost and cold temperatures once they establish, but do best with warm starts when they're young.

Choose a large, sunny and quick-draining site for multiple plantings. Marechal Foch grapevines need full sun for six to eight hours every day, with good air movement for pollination. They fail in standing water during fall, winter and spring months, and need plenty of room to stretch and grow.

Amend 2-foot-square planting sites for each grapevine. Place the sites at every 8 feet in the row, with 10 feet between multiple rows for air circulation and gardening. Dig into the top 10 to 12 inches of natural soil, remove rocks and weeds, and add 6 to 7 inches of organic compost. Compost gives the soil nutrition, moisture retention and loose consistency for root growth.

Plant one Marechal Foch grapevines per amended site. Dig holes as deep as the root balls and twice as wide, and spread the roots out in the holes. Fill the holes slowly with amended soil, and use your fingers to force the soil down between the roots. Grapevines fail with air pockets in their planting sites.

Prune each grapevine down to two to three growing buds to encourage new growth and branching. Erect a trellis system behind each row of grapevines for growing support. Tie the Marechal Foch grapevines to the trellis as they grow up.

Water the grapevines with 1/2 gallon of water each to settle the soil around the roots.

Feed Marechal Foch grapevines the week after planting. Give each grapevine 8 oz. of 10-10-10 granular fertilizer, per manufacturer directions. Don't get the granules on the foliage or stems, as it burns, and water the grapevines immediately after feeding. Increase the application to 1 lb. of fertilizer in the grapevines' second spring, and 1 1/2 lbs. of fertilizer in the third year and thereafter.

Put the grapevines on a schedule of 2 inches of water every week, and lay 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch over the soil throughout the vineyard. The mulch keeps soil moist, warm and free of weeds during the growing season.