Page 24 - ALG Issue 4 2019
P. 24

fruit...
grapes
 If you have been watching this
year’s series of Gardeners’ World,
you will have seen the episode with NAS member Keevan Anker from Beaumaris allotments, who grows grapes on his plot to make his own wine and champagne. There are many varieties of grapes, which will provide fruit that can be eaten as a dessert or used to produce wine – although some can be used for both. If you are growing grapes on your plot you will need to choose a sunny sheltered spot with good free draining soil and choose a variety that is suitable for your region and micro-climate. There is advice available on the RHS website and various online suppliers.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR GRAPEVINES
Make a support on a fence by installing four support wires. The first should be 40cm (16in) above the ground, and the others 30cm (12in) apart.
HOW TO PLANT
Plant your vine in late autumn to early spring. Dig a hole wider and deeper than the root ball of the plant, 15cm (6in) away from your fence or wall. Put the plant in the hole and start to
There are many varieties of grapes, which will provide fruit that can be eaten as a dessert or used to produce wine – although some can be used for both
fill, firming as you go – ensure that
the top of the rootball is level with the surface of the soil. Push a 1.8m (6ft) cane behind the vine. Cut the vine back to leave three healthy buds, which are below the bottom wire of your support system. Tie the stump to the cane
and secure the cane to the supports. Spread a thick layer of mulch over the root area of the vine.
HOW TO TRAIN
Allow three stems to grow vertically during its first year, securing them to the cane and pinching any shoots that grow from the side to one leaf. When
the foliage falls in the autumn, untie the stems from the cane and tie two down to the bottom wire, one each side of
the cane. Prune the third stem, leaving three buds to provide replacement stems next year. In spring, allow shoots to grow vertically from the branches that have been tied down.
Aim to have shoots every 15cm (6in)
– you may need to prune some out to achieve this. Pinch off side-shoots to leave one leaf, and when the shoots reach the top wire, pinch off their growing tips. Tie the three replacement shoots to the centre cane. When
fruit appears, remove some leaves if necessary, to improve air flow to the grapes. In the autumn, cut off the horizontal arms and repeat the process.
This is known as the Guyot system and can be used for both wine and dessert grapes.
          24 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
   












































































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