Vines can be grown outdoors in southern Britain, south of a line between Pembroke and the Wash, but with predicted temperature increases due to climate change, or in areas influenced by the Gulf Stream or with the protection of a warm wall, it is worth experimenting with cultivation north of this line. Use later-flowering cultivars in northern areas.

Site and soil preparation

Grapes need a sheltered site in full sun, ideally against a south- or south-west facing wall, or on a south- or south-west facing slope with the rows running north to south.

Avoid frost pockets unless temporary protection can be provided using horticultural fleece.

Vines tolerate a range of soil types, providing they are free draining. Sandy gravel over chalk is ideal. Improve drainage on heavy soils by adding well-rotted organic matter and grit. Install drainage systems if necessary. A

This describes how acid or alkaline soil is, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. Soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, an acid soil has a lower value, and an alkaline soil has a higher one. Most plants grow best in soil that’s within a specific pH range, so it’s useful to know your soil’s pH. Testing kits are easy to use and widely available in garden centres and online.

advice">Double dig soil before planting if necessary. Incorporate a light dressing of well-rotted manure or compost, plus general purpose fertiliser at 100g per sq. metre (3oz per sq. yard).

Planting

Plant vines in the

Dormancy refers to a period of inactivity in plants, during which they slow down or stop their growth, conserving energy and resources. This is a natural process that helps them survive harsh conditions, such as winter or drought. Dormancy in seeds is a mechanism that prevents them germinating until environmental conditions are favourable for growth.

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. 

waterlogged

After planting, it is a good idea to mulch with well-rotted organic matter or chipped

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers.

buds

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

mulch

Space vines according to the method of training you wish to adopt. For more on this, see our pages on pruning and training grapes.

Feeding

In February, apply Growmore or other general fertiliser at 70g per sq. metre (2oz per sq. yard), plus sulphate of potash at 15g per sq m (½oz per sq yd) to 30cm (1ft) either side of the base of the vine.

Feed dessert grapes every two weeks with a high potassium fertiliser such as tomato feed, from a month after growth starts in the spring until the grapes start to ripen.

Watering

Although vines are fairly drought tolerant, they can suffer from the fungal disease

A white powdery fungal growth on the surface of leaves, buds, petals and shoots of roses and many other plants. The foliage may become discoloured, heavily infected young leaves may be curled and distorted, and the plant’s vigour may be reduced.

Container cultivation

Grape vines can be grown in containers of general purpose potting media; loam-based John Innes No3 potting

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

There a several ways to train grapes;

• Outdoor grapes can be pruned and trained according to the Guyot system, often used in vineyards
• Vines growing against walls are trained and pruned according to the rod and spur system
• Vines in pots or where space is limited can be pruned and trained as standards

See our page on grape pruning and training for further detail.

Vines can be propagated from hardwood cuttings in late autumn or winter. Softwood and semi-ripe cuttings can also be taken from late spring to mid-summer. Those offered commercially are often grafted.

Named grape cultivars will not come true to type from seed, so seed propagation is best avoided.

‘Phoenix’: A mid-season white grape for dessert or wine use; good powdery mildew resistance.
‘Pinot Noir’: A mid to late-season black wine grape; best against a warm wall; needs good summers to crop well.
‘Siegerrebe’: An early season white grape for dessert or wine use; excellent Muscat flavour; needs protection from wasps.

Book references

Grapes: indoors and out by Harry Baker and Ray Waite (Cassel Illustrated / The Royal Horticultural Society, 2003, ISBN 1844030644)

This book is available through the RHS Lindley Library.

Links

RHS Find a Plant
AGM

Grape vines can suffer from powdery mildew in hot, dry weather or when growing in crowded positions with poor air circulation.

They can also suffer from grey mould (Botrytis), downy mildew and the physiological disorder known as shanking. Birds and wasps can be problematic, and it is a good idea to control wasp traps, especially with early-season grapes.

Brown scale and woolly vine or currant scale may be a problem. And the fruit fly - spotted wing drosophila (SWD) - is likely to become an increasing problem.

Vines may suffer from nutrient deficiencies, particularly magnesium deficiency.