Best time to plant a grape vine, any tips or hints

[davegore2005]

over the summer I built some raised beds, and the next project is to build an arbour where the patio ends and the lawn starts, then plant a grape vine and see where it goes

any hints or tips as the best time to plant it and will it grow in pretty much any kind of soil or would some soil preparation be handy to give it the best start??

any advice gratefully received

Dave

[nickdub]

grape vines will grow more or less anywhere except for water-logged ground.

In order to get a crop of course, there are more requirements - warmth in Summer and Autumn being the main one.

[BUFFS]

plant the vine in the early autumn to let it have 6 months of root growth before it has to produce any top growth, it is still not too late but this cold weather is cutting the time short for this year..

[It never rains..it pours]

I have a slight variant on this issue, in that I want to move an established vine that the previous owner planted (optimistic is an understatement) and put it in a large pot in the greeenhouse, then in its place I have a blueberry to go in
Any advice on its survival odds and when/how best to do it please ?

[Thelma Sanders]

Once all the leaves have dropped, so it is dormant, prune the top back to a couple of feet, then dig it up with as large a root-ball as possible and pot it up with some good soil-based compost and a dose of Blood Fish and Bone.

Survival odds depend on how much root system it looses versus how strong it was in the first place. Most fairly young plants usually recover - wouldn't like to think about one that has been there a very long while though, tbh.

[nickdub]

It is likely to plant out fine and grow on no problem, if done now. Whether it subsequently produces any fruit is largely down to what sort of site you have. I grow vines undercover and they do fruit, but I wouldn't expect to get anything from them if they were just planted outside where I live.

[It never rains..it pours]

Thank you Thelma and Nick for the advice. Intend to plant in 40l greenhouse tub, time will tell if it lives and the grapes mature, something they dont do outside at present

[Deltawhiskey]

Hi Davegore,
There are many varieties which will grow comfortably and produce good grapes in the UK. There is a difference between grapes for wine and dessert grapes. Try to select a variety which has mildew resistance because our EU colleagues have caused most fungicides to be taken off the market. Grape vines in line with many plants will not grow when temps are below 10C. Plant in spring late March to April. If you can prepare the planting hole with a good (gentle) compost it will help. Select the strongest of the shoots and stop the others letting just the one grow. You should get grapes in the third year.

Hi it never rains,
There is no problem moving a vine but it will take just as long to produce as a new plant. With a new plant you will know the variety and it’s suitability for your requirements. You can grow in a big pot but it does limit the vine’s productivity. Better if you can plant outside and feed into the greenhouse. One of the problems with non-producing vines like yours is that the particular vine is not suitable for your climate. Usunf suitable varieties people are growing as far north as Northumberland.

Delta