Grapes are the most widely grown fruit in the world and unlike most fruit crops, grapes are native to North America. The wild grapes found by early settlers were quickly rejected because they were high in acid, low in sugar and uniquely flavored. Grapevines brought from the emigrants’ native countries failed to survive the new continent. It took hundreds of years to learn that disease and insec...

The grapevine is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Grapes can be eaten fresh (table grapes) or processed into jam, jelly, juice, or wine. Home gardeners can successfully grow grapes in Iowa. Basic requirements include a good planting site, hardy varieties (cultivars), and proper culture. Growth and Fruiting Characteristics Grapes are deciduous, woody vines. An established grapev...

Introduction Grapes are an excellent fruit for fresh use or processing into jam, jelly, juice, pie, or wine. In addition, grapevines can be ornamental and valuable as shade or screen plants in the home landscape when trained on a trellis or arbor (Figure 1). Well-grown grapevines of cultivars such as Concord can produce up to 20 pounds or more of the fruit per vine per year. Once established, w...

Introduction Grapes are an excellent fruit for fresh use or processing into jam, jelly, juice, pie, or wine. In addition, grapevines can be ornamental and valuable as shade or screen plants in the home landscape when trained on a trellis or arbor (Figure 1). Well-grown grapevines of cultivars such as Concord can produce up to 20 pounds or more of the fruit per vine per year. Once established, w...

Grapes can grow in almost any part of Minnesota if varieties adapted to our cold, dry winters and short growing season are chosen. Planting Grapes need full sunlight and high temperatures to ripen, so plant on southern slopes, the south side of windbreaks, or the south sides of buildings. Avoid northern slopes and low ground since these will be cooler throughout the growing season, delaying rip...

Grapes and berries are well suited to the home garden. A small planting can produce an abundance of fruit to eat fresh, to freeze, and to use in making juice, pies, and preserves. In North Carolina, our soils and climate permit growing a wide range of small fruit crops. The most popular small fruits are strawberries, grapes, brambles (blackberries and raspberries), and blueberries (Table 1). Al...

Grapes and berries are well suited to the home garden. A small planting can produce an abundance of fruit to eat fresh, to freeze, and to use in making juice, pies, and preserves. In North Carolina, our soils and climate permit growing a wide range of small fruit crops. The most popular small fruits are strawberries, grapes, brambles (blackberries and raspberries), and blueberries (Table 1). Al...

Introduction Grapes are a traditional favorite of home gardeners. Whether intended for jams and jellies, wine or ornamental use, there are many varieties of grapes from which to choose. A little research will help you choose the best vines for your goals. The key to grape growing is to remember that like other plants, grapes require conscientious maintenance to be productive. Grape Varieties Th...