How to Grow Niagara Grape Vines

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Compost

  • Shovel

  • Grape Plants

  • Hose

  • Hand pruning shears

  • Trellis, fence, or stakes and wires

  • Rope

  • Hoe

  • Knife

Niagara grapes produce large, sweet fruit.

Growing Niagara grapes (Vitis 'Niagara') in a home garden requires a few steps. Grapes need pruning and training, but once you master those tasks, you'll find the harvest worth the effort. Niagara grapes are a white grape, bearing large, sweet fruit suitable for table use, jams, juice and wine. The grapes are very cold hardy, thriving in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 7, and will produce vigorously for 20 years or more.

Advertisement

Planting

Step 1

Father and sons standing in front of a pile of soil
Image Credit: Jack Hollingsworth/Photodisc/Getty Images

Spread a layer of manure or compost on the soil. Use half a 40-pound bag for each plant. Mix the compost into the soil by digging into the earth with a shovel to a depth of 1 foot. Turn the soil over as you go, and remove any rocks, weeds and dirt clods.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Shovel digs a hole in soil
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images

Dig a hole 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide with a shovel. Remove the plant gently from its pot. Set the plant in the hole and spread out the roots. The crown of the plant (where the branches and roots meet) should sit about 1 inch below the soil surface.

Advertisement

Step 3

Water coming from hose
Image Credit: John Pauls/iStock/Getty Images

Fill the hole half-full with water, using a hose. Let the water drain. Push soil into the hole with your hands until the hole is completely filled. Pat the soil firmly in place. Water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Advertisement

Pruning and Training

Step 1

Grape bud
Image Credit: vtorous/iStock/Getty Images

Pinch off all but 2 or 3 of the buds--the little swelling protrusions--on the strongest stem in early spring with your fingers.

Advertisement

Step 2

Woman pruning grapes
Image Credit: brebca/iStock/Getty Images

Let the central trunk develop 2 strong canes (branches) when it grows to about 1 foot tall. Tie these canes with string to your fence or trellis so they are growing in opposite directions horizontally. Prune back any other developing canes with pruning shears the second year.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 3

Worker tying canes to fence
Image Credit: Edsel Querini/iStock/Getty Images

Tie 2 more canes 1 or 2 feet higher on your fence as you did the previous spring. You'll have a strong central branch with 4 horizontally growing canes by year three. Continue training the grape vine in this manner every spring until the plant reaches the top of your fence or trellis.

Advertisement

Step 4

Senior man pruning grapes
Image Credit: JazzIRT/iStock/Getty Images

Prune back any other canes consistently, and dispose of all cuttings and fallen leaves.

Advertisement

Caring for Niagara Grapes

Step 1

Sprinklers watering a vineyard
Image Credit: Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Water grapes with a hose or sprinkler once a week in dry conditions. Water deeply for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2

Gardener weeding soil
Image Credit: Jure Porenta/iStock/Getty Images

Pull weeds from around the grape plant or hoe lightly.

Step 3

Collecting grapes from vines
Image Credit: lola1960/iStock/Getty Images

Taste the grapes in mid August to September to see if they are sweet and ripe. Cut ripe grapes off the vine with a sharp knife.

Tip

Plant grapes on a sunny slope away from frost pockets. Choose your trellis system and install it before you plant grapes. Plant grapes against a fence for a low-maintenance solution. Plant grapes at least 8 feet apart, prune regularly, and clean up any fallen leaves or branches. Grapes are prone to diseases and pests, but proper care and good air circulation will prevent most problems. Spray with benoymyl or copper sulfate if necessary. Store picked grapes in the refrigerator.

Warning

Hoeing deeply can damage grapes' shallow roots.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references & resources