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Did you know that the grapevine is one of the oldest
cultivated plants in the world? Whether as a source of grapes or as an
attractive addition to the landscape, grapevines are popular among home
gardeners. Grapes can be grown successfully in Illinois —
if a variety adapted to our growing conditions is chosen — but
selecting a cultivar can be difficult because they vary in flavor, best use
of the fruit, winter hardiness, disease resistance, and training and
pruning needs.
American and French-American hybrid cultivars are
best because they tend to be more winter-hardy, and American grape
cultivars are generally even hardier and more disease-resistant then the
French-American hybrids. American cultivars are best used for juices, jams,
jellies, and wine; French-American hybrids are generally grown for wine. A
few seedless table-grape cultivars also grow well in Illinois. Berries come
in various colors, including red, white, blue, purple, and black, and
seeded and seedless varieties are available. Early, midseason, and late
cultivars can extend the harvest season from mid-August to mid-October. The
grapevines available to home gardeners are self-pollinating, so
there’s no need to worry about having more than one plant. Whatever
cultivar he or she chooses, the central-Illinois gardener must be sure that
it is winter-hardy to zone 5B.
The best time to plant grapes is early spring, after
the danger of a hard freeze has passed. Vines, which are usually purchased
bare-root, should be stored in a cool, moist location before planting.
Grapes need a full-sun location with well-drained soil, preferably with a
pH of 5.5 to 6.5. They also need adequate space in which to grow; plant
them 8 feet apart in rows set 10 feet apart. A trellis or support system is needed for grapevines. A
trellis or arbor can be a functional part of the landscape: Vines can be
grown on a trellis or a fence to screen an undesirable views; grapevines
grown on an arbor or pergola can provided a shaded area over a patio. Successful grape-growing not only requires proper
cultivar selection but also good cultural practices, of which pruning is
the most important. Grapevines produce the greatest amount of high-quality
fruit when they are properly pruned to promote moderate-vigor growth. Prune
after the coldest part of the winter but before buds begin to swell —
generally in February and early March. Pruning encourages healthy, vigorous
new canes to develop, eliminates unproductive old canes, trains fruiting
canes, and limits the number of buds on the vine. Done correctly, it will
result in the removal of 80 to 90 percent of the previous year’s
growth. There are several types of training systems; consult a
reputable Web site or book for instructions on pruning. “Small Fruits
in the Home Garden,” a University of Illinois Extension publication,
has good information on grape-pruning practices. In addition to proper pruning, growers of grapes should
inspect plants weekly for signs of disease or insects. Common diseases of
grapes include black rot, downy mildew, and powdery mildew; common insects
include the Japanese beetle and grape flea beetle. Some pesticide use may
be necessary to produce good-quality fruit. If you take the time to properly care for your plants,
growing grapes in the home garden can be a rewarding experience.
Join Elizabeth Wahle, a horticulture specialist with
the University of Illinois Extension, to learn tips on growing grapes in
your back yard. Her presentation will be offered twice — at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 16, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 — at the extension
offices, on the state fairgrounds. To reserve a seat, call 217-782-4617.
The cost is $2 per session.
Jennifer Fishburn is a horticulture educator with the
University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit. Contact her at
www.extension.uiuc.edu/Sangamon.
This article appears in Oct 4-10, 2007.
