Grape vines..? 12 August 2020 at 8:32PM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 7 replies 121 views

RainbowsInTheSpray

A big ask, I realise, but does anyone have any experience with dessert grape vines? I have a pergola/trellis situation and the thought struck me that it might be possible to  grow a vine over it, maybe in combination with clematis/wisteria. Apart from the minor point that they aren't available from the garden centres and nurseries in my locality, I know little about which might be a suitable variety to try and conditions/time necessary for planting.

Davesnave

Grapes are great for clothing something to give shade in summer only and it's possible to get a crop in the UK . Essentials are a sunny, sheltered site and free draining soil. Choosing a variety depends on use, but if you want dessert grapes you might prefer to go seedless, where there's less choice, or put up with the pips, when there are more options.

I'm afraid I only grow grapes to clothe a rope barrier between posts on my drive, so any grapes I get are secondary and usually just fed to the chickens. I really don't have time to faff about with scissors taking out every second grape from overcrowded bunches etc!

There are plenty of suppliers on-line, not all of whom I'd trust. I mainly buy trees and shrubs and Buckingham Nurseries have never let me down and I believe Deacon's Nursery IOW is also reliable.

Farway

I've got grapes outdoors, the one I bought from Blackmoor, who I've often used,  was  Lakemont, seedless, green

I asked them for advice wanting seedless and this was the answer

This is it's second year, still forming & not yet fruited so unable to comment on taste

It is grafted plant & in the gound

At same time I bought, from Wilko, Green Muscat, that cropped last year, smallish sweet grapes with seeds

On own roots & in a pot

It has one bunch this year, most likely down to my rubbish pruning & neglect

Worth a go I'd say, something to bear in mind is birds also love grapes

silverwhistle

Worth a go I'd say, something to bear in mind is birds also love grapes

Yep, the vineyards were in full view on far side of the valley where I lived in the Alps. Different varieties ripened at different times and you could see the orange netting going up appropriately!

RainbowsInTheSpray

Davesnave said:

Grapes are great for clothing something to give shade in summer only and it's possible to get a crop in the UK . Essentials are a sunny, sheltered site and free draining soil. Choosing a variety depends on use, but if you want dessert grapes you might prefer to go seedless, where there's less choice, or put up with the pips, when there are more options.

I'm afraid I only grow grapes to clothe a rope barrier between posts on my drive, so any grapes I get are secondary and usually just fed to the chickens. I really don't have time to faff about with scissors taking out every second grape from overcrowded bunches etc!

There are plenty of suppliers on-line, not all of whom I'd trust. I mainly buy trees and shrubs and Buckingham Nurseries have never let me down and I believe Deacon's Nursery IOW is also reliable.

My highlights... oh, is that kind of attention really necessary? That's a bit of a blow. I knew grapes could be time consuming but I was hoping to avoid problems like that.

RainbowsInTheSpray

Farway said:

I've got grapes outdoors, the one I bought from Blackmoor, who I've often used,  was  Lakemont, seedless, green

I asked them for advice wanting seedless and this was the answer

This is it's second year, still forming & not yet fruited so unable to comment on taste

It is grafted plant & in the gound

At same time I bought, from Wilko, Green Muscat, that cropped last year, smallish sweet grapes with seeds

On own roots & in a pot

It has one bunch this year, most likely down to my rubbish pruning & neglect

Worth a go I'd say, something to bear in mind is birds also love grapes

Useful. Thank you.

Davesnave

RainbowsInTheSpray said:

Davesnave said:

Grapes are great for clothing something to give shade in summer only and it's possible to get a crop in the UK . Essentials are a sunny, sheltered site and free draining soil. Choosing a variety depends on use, but if you want dessert grapes you might prefer to go seedless, where there's less choice, or put up with the pips, when there are more options.

I'm afraid I only grow grapes to clothe a rope barrier between posts on my drive, so any grapes I get are secondary and usually just fed to the chickens. I really don't have time to faff about with scissors taking out every second grape from overcrowded bunches etc!

There are plenty of suppliers on-line, not all of whom I'd trust. I mainly buy trees and shrubs and Buckingham Nurseries have never let me down and I believe Deacon's Nursery IOW is also reliable.

My highlights... oh, is that kind of attention really necessary? That's a bit of a blow. I knew grapes could be time consuming but I was hoping to avoid problems like that.

Not if you are growing for pressing or if you don't mind smaller grapes. We used to get some that came over the fence at our old house , which were just a bit small and they had seeds. We still ate them!

Farway

RainbowsInTheSpray said:

Davesnave said:

Grapes are great for clothing something to give shade in summer only and it's possible to get a crop in the UK . Essentials are a sunny, sheltered site and free draining soil. Choosing a variety depends on use, but if you want dessert grapes you might prefer to go seedless, where there's less choice, or put up with the pips, when there are more options.

I'm afraid I only grow grapes to clothe a rope barrier between posts on my drive, so any grapes I get are secondary and usually just fed to the chickens. I really don't have time to faff about with scissors taking out every second grape from overcrowded bunches etc!

There are plenty of suppliers on-line, not all of whom I'd trust. I mainly buy trees and shrubs and Buckingham Nurseries have never let me down and I believe Deacon's Nursery IOW is also reliable.

My highlights... oh, is that kind of attention really necessary? That's a bit of a blow. I knew grapes could be time consuming but I was hoping to avoid problems like that.

I've not found it so, maybe with greenhouse grapes but my outside ones have tended tend to be small by habit anyway

If the seedless green one fruits in 2021 I may try the snip a few out just to see

I did once try the snip some off etc, decided it was a waste of my time, left them to it and made mediocre wine instead

Another plus if you are up for it, fresh vine leaves in food.

Not my type of food but those who like stuffing vine leaves can have a field day with the fresh young leaves, and also not tried but I guess they'd store somehow

PS here's this year's bunch of Green Muscat, with a month or more to go yet