It is not concord grapes, but table grapes in general are a challenge because of something called Pierces Disease. It can kill a plant in a few years. My friend thought up a great solution. She plants her grapes and takes cuttings to root. So every 2 years she puts new vines in the ground in a new place. Her harvests are very abundant, and when a vine does in 2-3 years the new one is fruiting heavily anyway!

girlgroupgirl wrote:

It is not concord grapes, but table grapes in general are a challenge because of something called Pierces Disease.

Well, I had heard that Concord grapes in particular don't ripen evenly in hot summers, but I don't know anyone personally who has them in the South.

She plants her grapes and takes cuttings to root. So every 2 years she puts new vines in the ground in a new place. Her harvests are very abundant, and when a vine does in 2-3 years the new one is fruiting heavily anyway!

That's definitely smart! Thanks for sharing that tip.

I have been harvesting really sour grapes for last several years.

This year, the grapes were fairly less sour (some even sweet) because possibly now I know *when* to pick the grapes (?).

The skin gets a bit tough.

This year I harvested all the grapes, juiced them and made jelly. I have three jars (only) of jelly after juicing maybe loads (and loads) of grapes.

All this on a VERY poorly maintained grape vines. I have no clue on how to stake them and this year for the first time I have leafs that have lots of holes in them....maybe it is the Pierces Disease that is finally coming to my grapes(?).

I think Pierces just shrivvels the vines. My friend has her grapes growing all over her deck railings. It's beautiful.

trivedi_south wrote:

I have been harvesting really sour grapes for last several years.

Thanks for the info. You're growing them in zone 8? Wow, I didn't know they would even survive there. The fact that you're getting any grapes at all is pretty great.

This year, the grapes were fairly less sour (some even sweet) because possibly now I know *when* to pick the grapes (?).

Could be. Have they been ripening fairly evenly?

maybe it is the Pierces Disease that is finally coming to my grapes(?).

I hope not.

Thank you Neptune. I pretty much ordered the grap vine from a catelog that said grows in our zone and it has been flourishing without much help from me. I do not know anything about trimming the vines and staking them and was thinking of donating them (they base of the vine is as big as my wrist).

The grape grows in tremendous abundance but not edible (the sweet ones also had slightly tougher skin) like the store bought one. I am thinking that because they are not really sweet, the squirrels are leaving them alone but the canadian geese LOVE the grapes.

Anyone with slope in the backyard (or any slope) should be able to grow grapes. I was in Dahlonega over the weekend and they have several vineyards..no need to go to NAPA valley, go to North Georgia mountains..dahlonega..they have award winning wine, wine tasting and it is visual delight too see all those grapes growing on professional level.

The key is not the slope, it is the NORTH GA mountains. Colder winters, summers slightly different than in the middle/south GA. They can indeed grow some grapes there.

Grapevines need:

A growing season of sufficient length. The growing season is determined by the number of days between the last 28�F in spring and the first fall occurrence. At a particular site, the season must be long enough to allow both the fruit and the vegetative parts of the vine to mature.

Adequate sunlight and heat. There must be adequate sunlight hours to ensure a sufficient supply of carbohydrates are produced by photosynthesis to mature the fruit and vine and to maintain future productive potential.

Mineral nutrients. The supply and the availability of essential mineral elements in the rooting zone must neither be inadequate nor excessive. Non-essential mineral elements may also be cause problems if they are toxic to grapevines or consumers.

Adequate water supply. A steady and sufficient supply of water is needed to allow the vine to function properly. However, soil water must not be in excess or grapevine roots- and vine growth - will suffer. Often in cool or cold climate production regions the vines are not irrigated. In that case the soil must retain enough water in the root zone to provide vine needs between rains.

Internal soil drainage. The site should not retain excessive moisture that results in ponding or high water tables that restrict root growth and respiration.

Air drainage. The site should allow cold, dense air to drain away from the vineyard. Otherwise increased frost injury or winter injury may occur. However, steep slopes can increase the potential for erosion or limit the ability to operate machinery safely.

Why slopes (hills) are important for the grapes Vs valley:

http://www.lmawby.com/index.php?route=/enjoy/writings/why-grapes-grow-here

Pics are from 2009

Yes, you will notice I did not mention valley. Nobody mentioned growing grapes in a valley. And yes, you will also notice that this website is for another state and mentions that it is the COLD weather and frost dates that the grapes need. I'm from Ontario originally. Ontario grows superb grapes and has wonderful wines, all grown on very flat surfaces. The fogs create wonderful frosts and colder weather giving the grapes a great flavor. I have no idea what varieties they are growing. As long as you meet the cultural needs for a plant, they will grow, produce and taste great!

"As long as you meet the cultural needs for a plant, they will grow, produce and taste great!"

Truer words never spoken.

I am still a novice with brown thumb...learning...

trivedi_south wrote:

The grape grows in tremendous abundance but not edible (the sweet ones also had slightly tougher skin) like the store bought one. I am thinking that because they are not really sweet, the squirrels are leaving them alone but the canadian geese LOVE the grapes.

Have you had any problems with deer? Incidentally, how far south in Georgia are you?

As for Dahlonega, I don't know what kind of grapes they're growing there, but their average high temperature in July is about 87, and their average low temp in the coldest part of January is 29-30. That's really only a few degrees cooler than where I live (about an hour north of Athens). (We actually hit 13 last year, I think.) So maybe it's cold enough where I live that Concord grapes might get sweet enough to be enjoyable.

I planted the grapevines only about 2 weeks ago, and it's amazing how much they've grown already. At this rate, they're going to take over my yard. ;)

Thanks, roswell_organic, for sharing your experience. If these grow well in Roswell, then they should be fine in most of North Georgia, I think.