3 Helpful Hints On How To Grow Grape Vines In The Right Soil

Having good soil condition will help you to grow strong and healthy grape vines. A grape grower's dream come true. It is important to keep your soil well maintained. In the following paragraphs I will give you a few hints on how to grow grape vines in the right soil.

Hint 1: Check the pH of your soil

You will want to purchase a soil tester and test your soil before you start to plant anything. Your soil needs to be at an acceptable pH level, otherwise, your vine growth will be hindered. Most grape growers prefer a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. This is an ideal range. It is, however, not the end of the world if your soil has a pH level higher or lower than that. If you do find the pH level is lower than 5.5 you will want to incorporate lime into the soil. If it turns out to be the exact opposite, however, you will want to find rootstock that is adaptable to limestone. You should test your soil every three years to ensure proper pH levels are being maintained.

Hint 2: Check the nutrient levels of your soil

What do most living things need in order to grow. You got it, nutrients. Same is true when growing your grape vines. Too much or too little will affect the growth of your grape vines. You will want to test your soil again, but this time to find out what your soils nutrient levels are.

Here is a list of desired results:

Magnesium - up to 250 pounds/acre

Zinc - up to 10 pounds/acre

Boron - 2 pounds/acre

Organic matter- 3%

Phosphorous level - 50 pounds/acre

Potassium level - up to 300 pounds/acre

Hint 3: Keep the Soil Moist

It is a good idea to make sure that before you plant you keep the vines and soil moist. But, you also want to make sure the soil is not flooded. Proper drainage is a must. If you do not make sure your soil has good drainage your vines will likely succumb to disease. To help get good drainage you may want to turn the soil a bit to loosen it up. If the soil is loose it will drain better. You also should stay away from clay soils. Clay soil does not offer very good water drainage.

Now, if the soil is damp after planting you won't need to water right away. If you keep your grape vines properly hydrated along with the right amount of nutrients you will have very happy grapes.

You may want to keep all of your equipment for testing and watering near by and easily accessible, I find when things are more accessible, it will most likely get done. As the saying goes, out o sight out of mind.

Following these three simple hints will help to make sure that your soil is a prime home to your grape vine roots. If your vines roots are happy and well nourished they will produce the most amazing grapes you've ever tasted. And what's even better, you grew them yourself!

By: Melissa Wood

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Melissa is a grape growing expert. For more information on how to grow grape vines, visit www.grapegrowingoutlet.com.