The first year that your grape vine is growing tie the strongest shoot to the trellis with a piece of string. String does not damage the shoot like a wire could. Clip any other shoots that grow from the roots. When the vine is in the dormant season you will need to once again prune your vine back.
In the spring when the buds have begun to grow again, select the strongest shoots from the upright shoot and tie them loosely to the wire as they grow. These shoots will become the arms of the vine where the grapes will grow in years to come. Also, planting grape cuttings is the easiest way to grow grapes. Grapevines easily sprout from cuttings taken during their dormant period, and they are best when planted in the early spring after the last frost has left the ground, before the buds begin to swell.
When it comes time for you to harvest your grapes, it will be beneficial to purchase what they call a hydrometer. It can be bought from a local wine making supply shop. A Hydrometer measures the specific gravity of liquids. It will tell you the sugar content of the berries. An ideal gravity is between 1.095 and 1.105, the latter being the better one. It is then time to harvest the grapes.
The process of growing grapes and grape planting can take years in order to make wine but, with the right amount of effort the process is simple and well worth the reward you will receive in the end.
More Sites and Resources Talking About Growing Grapes & Making Wine at Home:
* Grape Growing & Wine Making
* Squidoo Lens for Home Wine Making Instructions
* Wine Makers from Home
* Tips for Making Red Wine
