planting a grapevine in clay soil

[the big lebowski]

hi all ,santa bought me a grape vine for christmas and i have been reading the planting advice on the card that came with it and it says "grape vine can grow well in any soil except heavy clay " my soil is clay soil but i wouldnt call it heavy clay but in the past it has been "puddiny" after heavy rain in the winter, i have dug in trenches/gutters around the edges for the water to run into and that has helped ,i was wondering if i dug the area that im going to put the vine into and filled it with all the compost i have in my 3 darleks would this help or would the water just settle in this area as it is easyer for the water to travel through the lighter soil ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

[Nicos]

Morning!
Gosh...I've no idea, but can see where you are coming from.
I did wonder though if the variety of Grape might affect the amount of drainage-or lack of it-the plant could cope with?
i seem to recall that some vineyards in the States are planted in well drained clay soil if that helps for further research?

Nice pressie by the way

[the big lebowski]

morning nicos happy crimbo mate ,thanks for answering ,yes im very happy with it also got a chilli seed pack and a digging type hoe (cross between a hoe and a pick axe ) i`ll keep checking you tube and see what i can find ,cheers

[Bigmallly]

Happy Xmas Leb, I think your mattock will be the ideal tool for digging out the clay, I would also do as you say and fill the planting area with as much organic matter as possible to aid drainage.

[Snadger]

....................and of course they CAN be grown in pots.

[Scarlet]

Well I'm on heavy clay and my grape vine runs along a south facing wall. It's about 60ft it does very well. I think replacing some of the clay with compost will give it a great start. Though as Snadger saud the do well in pots to. I just hate the watering regime of pots.
Lovely presents though. Lucky boy!

[greenishfing]

I have 2 grapevines and clay soil. When I planted them I dug out large, deep holes and put lots of bricks and rubble in the bottom. I then put compost/soil mix in and planted the vines. Several years later they are very healthy and productive.