Lexi Webster
Australia's geographical spread and temperate climate make it ideal for growing table grapes. Grapevines are hardy plants that can grow in a wide range of soils, though they require healthy, fertile, and well-drained soil with lots of sun to grow successfully. They also need a strong support system, such as a trellis, fence, or pergola, as they can grow up to 4m tall. In this article, we will explore the steps to grow table grapes in Australia, including planting, pruning, and maintenance, to help you cultivate your own delicious grapes at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil | Healthy, fertile, and well-drained |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Support System | Trellis, pergola, sturdy fence, or garden stake |
| Watering | Regularly during flowering and fruiting, once or twice a week depending on weather conditions |
| Fertilizer | NPK fertiliser with trace elements; Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser |
| Pruning | Spur pruning, cane pruning, or a combination of both |
| Planting Hole | Twice as wide as the root-ball and the same depth |
| Harvest | After veraison stage, which is around 40-50 days after the fruit set stage |
| Varieties | White, red, black, seedless, and seeded |
| Growth Cycle | Dormancy, budbreak, flowering, fruit set |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and planting
Grapevines can grow in a variety of soils, from poor, gravelly soil to rich loam. However, for the best results, it is recommended to use healthy, fertile, and well-drained soil with lots of sun. If your soil is clay-based, add gypsum and fork it in well. You can also enrich the soil with compost or a soil improver and plant fertiliser.
When planting grapevines, choose a sunny spot that receives full sun and has a strong support structure, such as a sturdy fence, trellis, or pergola. Grapevines can also be grown up posts and over an arbour or patio. Keep in mind that grapevines can grow up to 4 metres tall and wide, so ensure you give them plenty of room.
To plant, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth. Remove the shrub from its container, gently tease the roots, and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Position the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming it down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone to help keep water where it's needed.
Always water well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes. Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane, or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. While grapes are drought-tolerant once established, they will benefit from regular watering during flowering and fruiting. Ensure the vine is well-watered during spring and summer and feed every 6-8 weeks with a soil improver and plant fertiliser to encourage healthy leaf and stem growth.
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Support structures
Grapevines need a support system to grow successfully. They can grow up to 4 metres tall and wide, so they require strong support to grow up and long. There are several options for support structures:
- Trellis: A trellis is a traditional support system for grapevines. It can be a post and wire trellis, with wires stretched between posts, or a freestanding trellis. The trellis should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the mature vine and its fruit.
- Pergola: A pergola can also provide a strong support structure for grapevines. It offers shade in the summer, along with the benefit of delicious fruit.
- Fence: A sturdy fence can serve as a support structure for grapevines, providing they have something to grow over.
- Garden stake: In the first year, a single shoot should be trained up a garden stake, bamboo stake, or something similar to achieve the desired height and establish a strong root system.
- Arbour: Vines can be grown up posts and over an arbour, providing a beautiful and functional support structure.
When choosing a support structure, it is important to consider the amount of space available and the strength of the structure to bear the weight of the vine. Additionally, ensure that the structure is positioned in full sun, with well-drained soil, to provide the optimal conditions for grapevines to thrive.
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Pruning
Spur pruning is typically used for highly fruitful grape varieties. It involves leaving only the first 2-4 buds on each cane, and the number of spurs left after pruning will depend on the type of support system used. For a pergola, 20-40 spurs can be left, while for a post and wire trellis, 16-20 spurs are sufficient. These spurs are shortened lengths of the previous season's shoot growth and should be spaced 10-20cm apart on the permanent arms of the vine.
Cane pruning, on the other hand, is used for low-fruitful varieties such as sultana, dawn seedless, red globe, and crimson seedless. These varieties produce bunches on less than half the shoots that emerge after pruning. If the variety of grape is unknown, a combination of spurs and canes can be used until the fruitfulness of the vine can be determined.
The timing of pruning depends on the region. For example, in the Perth region, pruning is typically done in late August or anytime after the leaves have turned yellow or fallen. During the first year, it is important to let the vine grow vigorously to achieve the desired height and establish a strong root system. Only one single shoot should be trained during this first growing season, and all other shoots should be removed. Once the selected shoot reaches 0.5-1.0m in length, the other shoots can be removed, leaving only the favoured shoot.
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Watering
Water your grapevines deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Ensure the vine is well-watered during spring and summer. Supplemental water during dry conditions will enhance the quality of the fruit. Aim for regular watering, especially during critical growth periods.
It is recommended to apply water at ground level, keeping the foliage dry to help prevent fungal outbreaks. Drip irrigation with long, slow soaks is the most effective way to water grapevines. This method ensures that the roots receive adequate water while minimizing moisture on the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Soil Moisture Retention
To retain moisture in the soil during the summer months, apply mulch. Organic mulch such as bark chips, sugarcane, or pea straw can be placed around the base of the vine, keeping it away from the trunk. Mulch helps to conserve water and maintain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
When watering grapevines, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Watering regimes may vary depending on your region in Australia. For example, in the Perth region, regular watering is typically necessary from early November to late March.
- Grapevines grown in pots or containers may require more frequent watering than those in the ground, as they dry out faster.
- Ensure the planting hole is prepared properly, forming a raised ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone to help keep water where it's needed.
- Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot and other issues. Allow the soil to drain excess water and ensure good air circulation around the vines.
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Harvesting
Grapes are harvested when they are fully ripe, as they do not continue to ripen or become sweeter after being picked. The harvest cycle in Australia starts in October in the Northern Territory and ends in May, with the bulk of production in the southern states of Victoria and New South Wales.
To maximise your harvest, it is important to prune your vines. There are two basic methods of pruning table grapes: spur pruning and cane pruning. Cane pruning is used on low-fruitful varieties such as sultana, dawn seedless, red globe, and crimson seedless. Spur pruning is used on highly fruitful varieties, which only have bunches in the first 2-4 buds on each cane. If the name of the variety of grape is unknown, a combination of spurs and canes can be used until the fruitfulness of the vine can be determined.
Grapes grown in large pots or in the ground will benefit from regular watering during flowering and fruiting. They should be watered deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Ensure the vine is well-watered during spring and summer and feed every 6-8 weeks with a fertiliser to encourage healthy leaf and stem growth.
Grapes are prone to fungal attack, especially in areas of high humidity or when plants are grown too close together and left unpruned. Applying mulch will help retain moisture in the soil during the summer months and minimise disease risk.
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Frequently asked questions
Grapevines need healthy, fertile and well-drained soil with lots of sun. They also require a support system such as a trellis for their long, climbing vines.
Some popular varieties include 'Thompson Seedless', 'Crimson Seedless', 'Black Muscat', 'Centennial seedless', 'Emperor', 'Ruby seedless', and 'Himrod'.
The growth cycle of table grapes begins with bud break or bud burst in spring, followed by flowering and fruit set. After the fruit set stage, the grapes start to ripen, changing colour from green to red, black, or white.
Watering regimes may vary depending on the region. In the Perth region, regular watering is necessary from early November to late March. In general, grapes benefit from regular watering during flowering and fruiting, and drought conditions.
There are two basic methods of pruning table grapes: spur pruning and cane pruning. The choice between these methods depends on the variety of grape and the desired shape of the vine.
