(no subject)

[hearthstone]

I've been searching for info on grape-growing today. The grapes are arriving next week and I should really have some clue as to what to do with them when they get here. I'm thinking four poles and a bunch of mulch, right now. A trellis-y structure eventually, though that can probably wait a bit since they are not likely to grow a great deal in the first year (not with the late spring we seem to be having). I also know that I am likely to get sidetracked by design ideas if I try to do the trellis right away; I will just have to be satisfied with four posts at the corners of an 8X8' area!

I am tired, debating a nap, although I had some writing I wanted to do as well--we'll see if I can formulate coherent sentences and then make a decision!

Comments

[xxaltheahxx.livejournal.com]

Actually, you don't want the grapes to grow at all the first year. As soon as you see them budding, pop them off. Doing this will insure you for MUCH better grapes the years following.

Just FYI, specially if your going to make wine in the future from the grapes.

[hearthstone.livejournal.com]

Thanks! But the vine can grow, right?--just not the grapes themselves?

I'm hoping that these will be good for eating (I'm sure the girls won't leave them alone regardless :)) and for wine.

[xxaltheahxx.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, you want the vines to grow...Without vines there will be no grapes. But to have really really good grapes you want to pluck the grapes off as they grow this year. This way, you'll have perfect grapes next year, instead of sufficent grapes this year.

The suggestions stay for either eating or wine. But there are different types of grapes for making vino, then for eating. Which vines did you get?

[hearthstone.livejournal.com]

Which ones did you get?

I thought there would be tons of research involved, but when I enocountered four varieties that should grow in my area (we're borderline zone 4 and 5, but can usually grow zone 5 things) called Jupiter, Neptune, Venus, and Mars--well, the choice became much simpler. LOL!

These are actually more of a table grape and I expect the girls to eat most of them--although since I am totally a wine barbarian they would probably suit me fine for both uses! If they do well, I will probably add some more wine-y grapes in the future.

[xxaltheahxx.livejournal.com]

Oh I see! Very simple!

Very good, but I still suggest pruning the grapes until next year ;)