Interactive lesson

Grapevines: planting and trellising, step by step

Interactive lesson: from the warmest spot, the rootstock and soil preparation to a trellis with anchors, planting grafted vines and the vine's first two years.

Free sample Chapters 1 and 2 (8 steps) are free. The full lesson comes with the Grapevines: planting and trellising module. Already bought? Unlock

This lesson is general guidance, not professional training. Local regulations and expert advice always take precedence. Read our disclaimer.

The whole lesson as text

1. Form and site

First decide how you will grow the vine, then find it the warmest spot on your holding.

Wall, pergola or vineyard — A vine against a wall gives 5–10 kg, a pergola vine 5–15 kg, and a vine in a small vineyard 1.5–3 kg.
Start with a pergola — A pergola of 4–6 vines over a patio gives shade and 30–60 kg of dessert grapes. On it you learn pruning and protection before you plant a vineyard.
The warmest spot — South, south-east or south-west facing. The soil must drain freely: vines tolerate stones, but not standing water.
Out of the frost pocket — Vines break bud in late April and May, and young shoots are killed at −1 to −2 °C (28–30 °F). The middle of a slope is warmer than the valley bottom.

Why: A vine forgives a lot, but not the wrong site. In shade or at the bottom of a valley the grapes never ripen, and late frost takes the young shoots every other year. In a cool climate like the UK's or Ireland's, the site decides almost everything — and it is decided before planting.

On flat ground: a south wall or an open spot, with no shade from trees or buildings.
In southern England and Wales outdoor vines are safest below roughly 100–150 m (330–500 ft); higher, and in Ireland, Scotland and northern England, only against a warm wall, with early varieties or under glass. In North America, go by your USDA zone.

2. Soil, graft and rootstock

Plant grafted vines on a rootstock that suits your soil.

Soil test first — pH, lime content, organic matter, phosphorus and potassium. Vines grow well at pH 6–7.5; on more acid soil, lime before planting.
Why a graft — An own-rooted vine from a cutting succeeds only on sandy soil or where there is no phylloxera, and you can't know that in advance. Phylloxera is present in parts of England and native in eastern North America.
Rootstock to suit the soil — Kober 5BB and SO4 for moderately chalky soils, 41B for very chalky ones, Paulsen 1103 for dry, stony ground, 101-14 for lime-free, moister soils.
Variety to suit the region — Dessert grapes for the garden in the UK: Boskoop Glory, Lakemont, Phoenix, Muscat Bleu. In the US and Canada: Concord, Reliance, Canadice; in the coldest zones Marquette. PIWI varieties need far less protection.

Why: Phylloxera, a root aphid, attacks the roots of European vines, while the roots of American rootstocks resist it. That is why you plant a graft: a variety (the scion) joined to a rootstock. Which rootstock you choose depends on the lime in your soil.

Buy grafted vines from a reputable, registered nursery.
For a home vineyard with little spraying: disease-resistant (PIWI) varieties such as Regent, Solaris, Johanniter and Muscaris.