Grape Vine
Vitis vinifera
Grape vines are perfectly suited to UK gardens and can produce excellent crops of dessert or wine grapes in favourable positions. They're also magnificent ornamental plants, with large, lobed leaves that turn spectacular shades of crimson, orange, and gold in autumn. Outdoors, plant against a warm south or south-west facing wall or fence, where the vine benefits from reflected heat and shelter. In a greenhouse, the quality of dessert grapes is superb. Plant bare-root vines between November and March in well-drained soil. Train against horizontal wires spaced 30cm apart. The key to good crops is careful pruning — grapes fruit on the current season's growth from buds on the previous year's wood. The rod-and-spur system is most common for UK walls: allow a main vertical stem (rod) with short side branches (spurs) every 30cm, cutting these back to 2–3 buds each winter. Thin developing bunches by removing every other grape with pointed scissors to allow remaining fruits to swell. 'Boskoop Glory' and 'Regent' are reliable outdoor red varieties; 'Phoenix' and 'Solaris' produce excellent white wine grapes outdoors; 'Muscat of Alexandria' is superb under glass. Established vines are drought-tolerant and can live for many decades.
Plan where to grow Grape Vine using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Plant Grape Vine
Plant grape vine in November, December, January, February, March. It flowers in June.
Time to Harvest Grape Vine
Expect to harvest approximately 36 months after planting, usually from September to October.
Companion Plants for Grape Vine
- English Lavender
Lavender enjoys the same sunny, well-drained site as vines and attracts beneficial insects.
- Rosemary
Rosemary and grapes both like a warm, sunny position with sharp drainage.
- Hyssop
Hyssop has long been grown near vines and is said to improve their growth; its flowers attract bees and hoverflies.
Expected Yield
An established outdoor vine can produce 5–10kg of grapes. Vines can crop for 50+ years.
Growing Tips
Train on wires; prune using rod-and-spur system in winter
Pruning Grape Vine
Prune in early winter while fully dormant (pruning later causes bleeding), using the rod-and-spur or Guyot system and cutting sideshoots back to one or two buds; in summer, pinch fruiting shoots two leaves beyond the bunch.
Common Problems with Grape Vine
Powdery mildew
White, powdery coating on leaves and developing grapes, worst in warm, dry weather with cool nights. Improves with good air circulation — prune to maintain open framework. Remove affected leaves and shoots. 'Regent' and 'Phoenix' have good mildew resistance. Sulphur-based fungicides are effective if applied early.
Grey mould (botrytis)
Grapes turn brown and fuzzy with grey mould, especially in wet autumns and when fruits are packed tightly. Thin bunches to improve air circulation around individual grapes. Remove affected fruits promptly. Ensure good ventilation in greenhouses. Dry conditions at harvest time are essential for clean fruit.
Birds eating ripe grapes
As grapes ripen, birds (especially blackbirds and starlings) can strip a crop overnight. Net individual bunches with small muslin or organza bags, or drape bird netting over the whole vine. In greenhouses, keep doors and vents screened. Harvest promptly when ripe rather than leaving fruit on the vine.
Grape Vine: common questions
When should I plant grape vine in the UK?
Plant grape vine from November to March.
How far apart should I plant grape vine?
Space grape vine about 1.5m apart. It grows to around 5m tall.
When is grape vine ready to harvest?
In the UK, grape vine is usually harvested from September to October.
When does grape vine flower?
Grape Vine usually flowers in June in the UK.
Does grape vine come back every year?
Yes. Grape Vine is a perennial and comes back every year, dying back or slowing down over winter and regrowing in spring.
When should I prune grape vine?
Prune in early winter while fully dormant (pruning later causes bleeding), using the rod-and-spur or Guyot system and cutting sideshoots back to one or two buds; in summer, pinch fruiting shoots two leaves beyond the bunch.
What grows well with grape vine?
Good companions for grape vine include English Lavender, Rosemary and Hyssop. See the companion plants section above for why each one helps.
Is grape vine frost hardy?
Yes. Grape Vine is hardy and survives a normal UK winter outdoors.
What crop rotation group is grape vine in?
Grape Vine is a perennial crop, so it stays in one place and sits outside the usual crop rotation.
Plan your grape vine in the allotment planner
Drag and drop plants onto your plot and get personalised sowing reminders.
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