Growing Wine Grapes

By: Jimmy Cox

I think it quite safe to say that more has been written about the cultivation of grapes than has - or ever will be - written about any other fruit. This is not surprising, considering that the grape is probably the oldest of known fruits. Evidence that grapes have been grown here for centuries is found in certain parts of the country where careful inspection of sloping land shows remains of terraced vineyards.

Contrary to general belief grapes are quite easy to grow outdoors in this country and should be grown by the ordinary householder far more than they are. It is a mistake to believe that grapes need tropical weather to grow and ripen well; if this were so they could not be grown in Russia and Canada, where the vineyards are buried under snow each year. Even the vineyards of France are not harmed by an annual blanket of snow. Then why should they suffer here?

The abundance of advice offered by experts about growing grapes, and the recommendations they make, are more likely to deter the would-be grower of grapes than encourage him in this worthwhile hobby. In any case, the advice and recommendations of experts usually apply to tender vines needing specialist treatment - not the good all-round varieties that do well almost anywhere. Here the reader will find sufficient detail to enable him to get on with the job and to make a good show of it into the bargain. Surprisingly, grapes do not need loads of manures and fertilizers; they grow well on quite poor soils and need little after-attention.

The soil above the vine I once grew was covered with crazy paving, the only part exposed to sun and air being about a square yard where the vine had been planted years earlier. So you can see that lack of space is no excuse for not growing grapes. The roots will search out and find what they want; all we have to concern ourselves with is where to put the top-growth - the vine itself.

If one wall of your house faces south, south-west or even west, that problem is solved very easily. If you cannot plant the vine under that particular wall, plant it round the corner and train the vine round to the sunny side of the house. Grapes may be grown in the open garden in similar fashion to loganberries, or they may be trained over sheds, garages, out-houses and such-like.

Vines are not expensive - about 10 shillings and sixpence is a decent price to pay for a vine (at the present time), and if two are planted, the yield for one guinea may be regarded as fantastic when considering the value of the wine that may be made for many years.

The best outdoor, general-purpose vine is undoubtedly brandt. This is a free-growing black that crops heavily and does well almost anywhere. Brandt is the vine for the amateur wherever he may be living, for it is very hardy and needs very little attention. It is the only variety I need concern myself with here.

Planting is best carried out in autumn and in any case before Christmas. If planting against a wall, take out a hole about two feet each way and plant so that the stem of the vine is about fifteen inches away from the wall itself. It's very hard to make wine if you can't even get the vine to grow so pay close attention to where you plant the vine.



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