Grape vine
Never prune after midwinter once the sap has started to rise — cuts made too late 'bleed' heavily and can weaken the vine.
Care
Sheltered — essential for ripening fruit in the UK climate.
Water well while establishing; more drought-tolerant once settled.
Fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates poor or chalky soil once established.
Prune hard while fully dormant in winter (Dec-Jan, before sap rises — later pruning causes heavy 'bleeding' from cuts); pinch out and thin sublateral growth in summer to let light reach ripening fruit.
A balanced feed as growth starts and a high-potash one as the bunches form; under glass or in a pot, feed fortnightly through the growing season. Stop once the fruit begins to colour — late nitrogen delays ripening and softens the wood.
Hardwood cuttings from the winter prunings: a length with three or four buds, two-thirds buried, kept in a sheltered spot. There is more material than anyone needs, since a vine is pruned hard every winter.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JanuaryHard winter prune while fully dormant, before sap rises. how ›
- JulyThin summer sublateral growth and leaves around fruit clusters to aid ripening. how ›
- SeptemberHarvest as grapes ripen, usually late summer into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryHard winter prune while fully dormant, before sap rises. how ›
- JulyThin summer sublateral growth and leaves around fruit clusters to aid ripening. how ›
- SeptemberHarvest as grapes ripen, usually late summer into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryHard winter prune while fully dormant, before sap rises. how ›
- JulyThin summer sublateral growth and leaves around fruit clusters to aid ripening. how ›
- SeptemberHarvest as grapes ripen, usually late summer into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryHard winter prune while fully dormant, before sap rises. how ›
- JulyThin summer sublateral growth and leaves around fruit clusters to aid ripening. how ›
- OctoberHarvest as grapes ripen, usually late summer into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. White powdery coating on leaves and fruit in still, humid conditions.
What to do. Improve airflow, remove affected leaves.
How to spot it. On ripening fruit in wet weather.
What to do. Improve airflow; remove affected fruit promptly.
How to spot it. Taking ripening fruit.
What to do. Net if the crop is at risk.
Questions
Grape vine: is it hardy?
H5: Hardy in most of the UK, but can struggle in the coldest inland or upland spots. It survives down to −15 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Suitable for a few years while young; better in open ground with permanent support for long-term cropping.
Grape vine: when do you prune it?
Prune hard while fully dormant in winter (Dec-Jan, before sap rises — later pruning causes heavy 'bleeding' from cuts); pinch out and thin sublateral growth in summer to let light reach ripening fruit. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in January, July.
Grape vine: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June.
When do you feed it?
A balanced feed as growth starts and a high-potash one as the bunches form; under glass or in a pot, feed fortnightly through the growing season. Stop once the fruit begins to colour — late nitrogen delays ripening and softens the wood. Feeding months, UK: April–June.