Vineyard at home? Face the cold facts of growing grapes in NH

Grapes don't like to be cold. Grapes don't like to be wet. In short, grapes don't like New Hampshire, or they shouldn't. But with the advances in French hybrids, Granite Staters can make their own private vineyard as good as any more congenial ecosystem.

However, it's important to note this not a hobby for the faint of heart. It takes patience — five years of patience to be exact — in order for grapes to be ready to make wine. Also, even northern grapes are a bit picky. So things like placement, drainage and soil quality matter.

The most important thing about growing northern grapes is that your rootstock has to be perfect, said Amy LaBelle, winemaker at LaBelle Winery in Amherst.

History Of Grapevines

The first documentation of grapevines growing in the Americas was discovered in researching the logbook of navigator Giovanni de Verazzano, who reported in 1504 that a large "white grape" was vigorously growing at Cape Fear, North Carolina. The English explorer of the New World, Sir Walter Raleigh, confirmed in a letter to Arthur Barlowe in 1585, the discovery of a white grape (scuppernong), when he landed in coastal North Carolina.

The 1500's ancient discovery of native grapevines growing in America was followed by numerous Spanish settlements along the coast of the United States where introduced old world grapevines were planted alongside the native American grapevines. That interplanting resulted in natural crosses of hybrid grapevines, a blending of the characteristics of both types.

Learn The Secrets On Growing Grapes At Home

Do you want to turn your sweat into something which you can be pleased? Then start now to plant vegetables and fruits and see how your sweat and hard work turn into something worthwhile. This activity is healthy since the products are definitely fine because you grow it yourself. Grape growing has been enjoyed by many people and they take pleasure in the products made out of the grapes they have planted. Growing grapes at home is something that is beneficial. This usually takes place on several farms but people these days plant grapes at their own home. It is surprising to see more yards that hold beautiful trellis that is completely occupied by grapes and vines.

Grape growing at home is not only good for the health yet the taste and aroma is much different from the ones bought at the local stores. Growing grapes home is not at all hard if you have the patience in planting and waiting. Extra patience is needed before starting off with the planting so that you can feel the pleasure not only at the moment but for the years to come as well.

Choosing The Types Of Grapes For Growing A Vineyard

Around the world, there are many different grape cultivars to choose from and grow. But, this does not mean that you can just get any cultivar to grow in your vineyard. As you know, there are several things that you need to consider first when it comes to choosing the best grapes for growing a vineyard. Grapes are quite picky when it comes to the location where they will be grown. To give you more ideas, here are some important factors that growers need to keep in mind first when it comes to grape growing.

First off, you need to find out if the weather condition in your place or location is suitable for grape growing. Climate plays an important role in grape growing. Having a climate with extreme winter conditions is not good for grapes. This results to frost injuries. Places where there are constant climate changes are also not suitable for grape growing. This makes the grape vines susceptible to different kinds of diseases. Although there are now hybrid grapes that are resilient to diseases, these varieties still cannot tolerate constant climate changes. Always keep in mind that grapes are very picky, especially when it comes to climate and weather.

Choosing The Right Location For Growing A Grape Vine

There are many kinds of fruits that a person can grow in his or her own backyard. For some, they grow fruits such as apples and oranges. They may have their own reasons why they opt to grow these fruits in their places. But, if you really want to grow a fruit that can give you lots of uses, then why don't you try growing a grape vine? Lots of people are now growing grapes in their own backyard. They even suggest their friends and neighbors to do so as well. But, before you proceed with growing your own vineyard at home, you need to know these very important things first.

Before growing a grape vine in your backyard, the first thing that you need to do is to educate yourself with regards to the activity. You should have knowledge about the different grape species that are being planted and grown by growers around the world. You should also know which species can be grown in your place. This is very important because growing a species that is not suitable for your place will only lead to poor growth and unsatisfactory results. You should also know the reason or reasons why you want to grow grape vines in your backyard.

Having Trouble Choosing the Variety of Grapes to Grow in Your Backyard? Consider These Facts

When you have decided to grow grapes at home, you need to learn some important information to help you have a very successful vineyard. To start with, the most common grape varieties in the United States are Concord grapes or they come from the common grape vine family - vitis vinifera.

Both varieties can be found in the US. Which variety is most common in your area depends on whether you live east or west of the Rocky Mountains. In the East, Concord varieties are more common and widespread. In the West, particularly along the Pacific Coast, you will find that the vinifera varieties are the most popular.

Concord Grape Juice Helps to Lower Blood Pressure and Keep Hearts and Minds Healthy

In recent years numerous well-respected studies presented a growing evidence of the positive effect of antioxidants on our health and wellbeing. They suggested that antioxidants can help improve the effects of aging.

Therefore it's not surprising to discover that over 80 percent of Americans are currently consuming, or would be interested in consuming foods and beverages for health benefits.

The results of the recent research were presented at the 4th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health (ICPH). According to the data from the major scientific conference researchers suggest that consumption of Concord grape juice is improving BP and healthy brain function in certain populations to improve memory.

Seems like the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods and beverages, such as fruits and vegetables and their 100% juices, help to slow and possibly even reverse age-related cognitive decline (the drinking of Concord grape juice may provide a benefit for older adults with early memory decline).

Growing Concord Grapes for Your Own Use

You go to your local grocery store to buy grape jelly. You find jelly made by several different manufacturers. When you pick them up and read the labels you find that most of the grape jelly say made with 100% Concord grapes. Also you go to the juice isle and find grape juice that says made with 100% Concord grapes. What is a concord grape? The Concord grape is from the grape species Vitis labrusca, it is used a table grape or to make wine. The color of the concord is typically dark blue or purple. The grape is mostly used for jelly, juice, soft drinks, and candy. But, due to the foxy flavor of the wine it is not favorably used.

The Concord grape was developed in Concord Massachusetts by Ephraim Wales Bull in 1849. The Concord won first place at the Boston Horticulture Society Exhibition in 1853. Dr. Thomas Welch introduced the first grape juice made from the Concord in 1854. He found that when pasteurized the juice would not ferment. He first introduced the juice to his church, to be used for communion. The top producing states in the United States are Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Missouri.

Growing Grape Vines: How Soil PH and Nutrients Affect Productivity

In grape growing, the right soil for growing vines is very crucial. It plays a significant role in the capacity to grow a healthy product. The productivity of the grapevine is largely affected by the type of soil, its mineral content and environmental condition. The soil where your grapevine will be planted must be analyzed first. When the soil is lacking nutrients, adding nutrients can be done easily but removing excess nutrients is almost impossible.

Grapevines thrive well in rich, highly organic soils since they are able to adapt well and they don't really need a lot to feed on. One advantage of growing grapes that do not need excessive supply of nutrients is that the lack thereof will not allow excessive weed growth. However, if the soil in the spot you selected is extremely lacking in nutrients, have a professional provide you recommendations on establishing a good soil nutrient base for your grapevines. Obviously grape vine growing is going to be very dependent on carefully balancing the nutrients, which comes with experimentation and paying attention to the affects different mixes and levels have on your grapes.

What's So Special About the Concord Grape?

It's the Truly American Grape 


America is a land of immigrants, a great melting pot of cultures. Such is the Concord Grape. Back in the mid-1800's, a guy named Ephraim Wales Bull developed the first Concord grapevines. He was a committed grape grower intent on developing a grapevine that would be hardy enough to survive the cold Massachusetts winters. Many European varieties did not do too well in the northern American climate. Mr. Bull is said to have evaluated over 22,000 seedlings in his time before he finally produced his masterpiece. Though he left no complete records of the heritage of this grape, experts speculate that he crossed hardy native grapes, Vitis labrusca, also known as the Fox Grape, with a European variety, Vitis vinifera. From these came up with what he thought to be the perfect grape. He named them after the town near his vineyards in Massachusetts.


It's an American Cultural Icon 

Is Concord Grape Growing Right For You?

Concord grape growing has gained popularity in the past several years. Every year, the United States commercially produces around 400,000 tons of these grapes, so you can see that the demand for them is really high. But what makes concord grape growing so popular among home growers? Read on to find out.

They are highly adaptable

Unlike some other grape varieties, the concord grape can easily adapt to different growing conditions. Many plants don't do well in cool climates, but this one does, as evidenced by many Northern American states like Washington and New York who widely produce these delicious grapes. The concord really sets itself apart from other varieties that can only flourish in warm climates. Also, this grape variety is not particular about the soil it is planted in; another reason why home growers love them.

Creating the Grape Vineyards

Nowadays, it is completely possible to start your very own grape vineyards. There are essentially two types of lands or areas used to grow grapes: traditional areas and non-traditional areas.

It is fortunate that many backyard grape growers have had much success in establishing grape vineyards in non-traditional areas.

Even climate and soil quality are no longer problems to the backyard grape growers, as long as specific guidelines are followed when tending to the vineyard and growing the grapes. This growing concord grapes blog will become your essential guide to achieving all your goals in starting and maintaining your very own personal grape vineyards. Looking for the perfect area for a new grape vineyards? If you are, always remember that grape vines require easy access to direct sunlight if they are to bloom and grow adequately.

Guide to Installing a Trellis System

The trellis system is used to train the vines to grow in a particular direction.  Without a trellis, grape vines would simply crawl at ground level, and it would be very difficult to maintain such a vineyard.

1. Planting is usually performed prior to the installation of the trellis system.  The trellis system can be installed when the grape vines are two to three feet in length already.

2. Large wooden posts are needed for the trellis system. Post markers are installed in every row and line posts are laid out in the vineyard.

3. To facilitate the installation of the wooden posts, hydraulic augers can be used (the same machines used to install wooden fences). Wooden posts should measure 3.5 inches by 8 feet. The depth of the initial hole should be at least two feet.