| Ask anyone who grows grapes and they will tell you | | | | 7. Grape plants don’t need a lot of watering, but |
| that it is a long and difficult process to produce quality | | | | in the dry seasons (Spring and Summer, depending on |
| wine. Follow these tips and you will be amazed at how | | | | the amount of rain) grape plants need to be watered |
| delicious your wine turns out. | | | | at least once a week. |
| 1. Check with the local horticultural society to see which | | | | 8. Stop watering once the grapes start to change |
| grapes are best to plant in your area before planting | | | | color. They will not need to be watered again until |
| anything. Grape plants often take years to bear fruit, | | | | Autumn, when the leaves fall off. Then, water once |
| and it's best to know ahead of time if your crop will | | | | more just before the ground freezes to get the plants |
| turn out so you can avoid wasting time. | | | | through the winter. |
| 2. If you purchase grape rootstock you should soak | | | | 9. To protect your vines from birds and pests, use at |
| the roots in water for a day so they don’t dry | | | | least two different sized, overlapping nets to cover the |
| out. Then, dig a shallow trench to keep them in until the | | | | plants. The first net should be a plastic bag like the |
| vine can be permanently placed. | | | | ones potatoes come in. However for the second you |
| 3. Plant your grapes in an area where they will get | | | | will need to go to a gardening supply store and |
| plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Grapes need A | | | | purchase a gardening net. |
| LOT of sunshine, so makes sure they’re | | | | 10. Pruning is the most important part of growing wine |
| planted in the sunniest plot you can manage. | | | | grapes. Plants will need to be pruned every year in |
| 4. Make sure you leave at least 8 feet between each | | | | early spring or late winter. If you neglect your pruning |
| vine when planting the rootstock, as grapes need | | | | duties, the grapes will grow and ripen unevenly. |
| ample room to grow and flourish. | | | | However, pruning is a very delicate process and all |
| 5. You will need to train your vines on a trellis to insure | | | | beginners should research the process before trying it |
| they grow evenly. You may need to move them | | | | out for the first time. |
| around a lot at first to keep them growing right. | | | | 11. When the grapes begin to ripen, check the sugar |
| 6. Have you ever wondered why you often see grape | | | | and pH levels frequently to get the perfect crop. Again, |
| vines planted on a slope? This is because it provides | | | | do plenty of research on your particular strain of grape |
| optimal drainage. In order for the grapes to grow | | | | and proper levels to be sure you know what you're |
| properly, the vines need to be planted in an area | | | | doing. This also depends on what your particular tastes |
| where the roots have good drainage. | | | | are and what kind of wine you’re making. |