Submitted by spiritself369 t3_xvntj8 in newhampshire
If you saw my last post about my grape vine, now that they are ripe, so far I have made 2 batches of jelly from it and I think there may be enough for one more. I am getting about 5 full half-pint (8oz) jars from each batch. I am using honey as the sweetener, and am thankful to receive this gift from my neighbor's 2 bee hives! Not to toot my own horn but this is some really good concord grape jelly!
me too!
We have a bunch of vines, green and red.
Last year we picked over 20lbs of grapes. Too much to use so half went into work, and others were able to use them.
What do you mean "half went into work"? Like for other farming/gardening purposes?
So far I have picked about 9lbs, and will harvest the remaining clusters this weekend. I estimate there could be around 6lbs still, perhaps more. And I think only 75% of the vine produced. I mean, I am using the 4-arm kniffin trellis system but one of the arms did not develop. So it was a 3-arm system this year, but it's certainly still a lot of grapes!
We had too many grapes to use, so half went into work so other people could have them. A friend made jam and gummies.
The vines at our house were there before we moved in. We haven't been doing any sort of maintenance except moving them out of the way. They've been growing along the back of our deck.
Ah I understand now, you brought them to work and gave them to friends, etc. to do something with them.
I have a friend with a garden and grapes running wild - also there before he moved in. Said he tried hacking it all the way back but can't kill the thing. He doesn't really maintain either, and now just lets the birds eat them.
That looks amazing.
Where did you get the grape vines from, and when did you plant them?
Thank you - and it tastes as good as it looks!
I planted in June or July of 2020. Not ideal timing, but it all worked out in the end! 3 years later I got my grapes.
I purchased the vine from a seller on Amazon. I specifically wanted a seeded Concord grape, and I was unable to locate one in any local nurseries, they were all seedless, hence why A) Amazon... and B) mid-summer planting.
I also did the 4-arm kniffin system - as seen in my previous post - which I learned from u/askUNHextension resources.
Thank you - I appreciate the information.
We have a small slope on the side of the house we cleaned and are considering planting grapes on it - will share it here if we end up going this way next spring.
Let me know if you want any instructions on how I made my trellis. Otherwise, with some patience, you will have your grapes should you decide to plant them. Best luck!
I could definitely use guidance on how to support the grape vines - I know they need to be supported quite well since they get heavy.
So I started by researching, as always. That's how I decided on the 4-arm kniffin system, but you may find another trellis that works for you. But for mine, I bought two 4"x4"x8' pressure treated posts and buried them about 2' deep. I spaced them about 8-10' apart, and put about 1.5 bags of cement in each hole, and I wanted to make sure the concrete stuck up above the ground line (just thinking it might help prevent the 4"x4" from rotting faster). You will plant the grape in the middle, about 4-5' from either 4"x4" post.
Then, yes, the grape vines get heavy! I used a galvanized steel wire. I cannot remember what gauge I bought, 12 or 14?? Something strong but not too strong to bend (you will see why later). I bought about 20-25' of that wire.
On the 4"x4" posts (and again about 6' is above ground) I drilled 1/2" holes all the way through the 4"x4". I drilled each hole around 3' from the ground and another one around 5.5' from the ground. I did this on each post, and drilled the holes so they "face each other" on each post - because you will run the steel wire between them.
To secure the steel wire, I bought something like this 1/2" wire clamp. From the "inside" of the post (meaning the side of the post facing the grape), I ran the wire through the clamp hole, then through the 1/2" hole I drilled in the post. As the wire comes through the "outside" of the post, I bought some 1" metal chain links. I actually had to buy 7 links together, and then took a hacksaw and freed 4 links. So I stuck the wire through the chain link, and then back through the "outside" hole, and back through the wire clamp. I tried getting the wire clamp as close to the post as possible, tightened the clamp a little bit, and then did the same thing (clamp & chain link, etc.) on the other side/post. As I completed the other side, I used pliers or something similar to really pull the end of the wire to get some tension before tightening fully the wire clamp (don't pull the wire that will run to the other side, just pull the end of the wire). Then I went back to the first side, pulled the end of the wire again and tried to keep the tension firm before tightening fully the clamp. You can choose to cut any extra end wire, but the gauge I bought was rather thick (difficult for me to cut) and I just left it there.
Not exactly needed, but I then bought a 4"x4" copper post cap and secured it to the top of each 4"x4" post - thinking to keep any birds or critters from hanging out, pooping etc. You will also want to get bird netting! You won't need the netting until your vine fruits, and even then you might not really need it until the grapes begin to turn purple/sweet around late August.
The first and second year just focus on trunk growth, and having that main trunk grow straight upwards until it gets to the 5' high wire. Use ties to tie the trunk to your steel wires for support. I did not use - and you probably do not need - a stake, but I suppose you could try, being careful of the grape roots.
When you prune in early spring on the third year, you will want to prune back everything except what you will keep for your 4 arms (again, if that is the system you choose). Many places call the "arms" canes. From those 4 canes, you will get your fruit. The fruit (only?) comes off 1-year old growth. When cutting back, always try to keep a bud or two on any vine growing off the main trunk. These can be your fruiting canes for the next year.
I water deeply once per week, as it prefers a deep watering versus frequent shallow watering. You can use a 10-10-10 or similar (research!) type fertilizer to help encourage trunk growth in the beginning years, but once it begins to fruit (typically around the 3rd year) you can stop fertilizing once the fruit comes, as the fertilizing will encourage more woody growth and at this point you want more fruit!
Very grateful for this.
This kind of interaction is why I still hang out around Reddit, despite it being amazingly toxic and polarized.
It will get no meaningful karma, nor will it be read by many others... but it will help me both in my planning for grape planting, and more importantly, by reminding me that most people are good and kind.
Thank you again :)
Infinite-Trader t1_ir2bypq wrote
Well im jelly!