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| Growing Grape Vines - The 10 Key Environmental Factors For Healthy Grapes |
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| Written by Louie Kittani |
| Wednesday, 15 April 2009 07:30 |
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Grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years and the reason is quite simple ... people LOVE wine! However, as with anything, planning and solid preparation will create an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It doesn't matter a great deal whether you are growing a small plot of grapes in your backyard or a full vineyard covering many acres ... the growing conditions in which grapes (depending on the variety) thrive are the same. However, as with anything, planning and solid preparation will create an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It doesn't matter a great deal whether you are growing a small plot of grapes in your backyard or a full vineyard covering many acres ... the growing conditions in which grapes (depending on the variety) thrive are the same. Within this framework, the Top 10 Key Environmental Factors to consider are: daily sunlight duration slope altitude & frost heat pockets spacing soil quality rainfall trends water drainage prevailing wind conditions climate trends Selecting the orientation of the site is a decision to be made by the individual grower. This could be based not only on the inherent topography of the site, but could well be motivated by market conditions since it involves extending or shortening the growing season. Certain grape varieties can only be successfully grown in the correct geographic location, where climate and soil conditions are appropriate to the variety you would like to cultivate. Thus, while there are other equally-important factors to consider, determining the correct location is critical; this is an irreversible decision and will spell the difference between a successful, long-lived vineyard and a disastrous, short-lived one. A South-facing slope gives an earlier crop, but there is more danger of injury to the tender shoots from late spring frost. With northern or eastern facing slopes this risk is avoided, but gives a later harvest. For the grower, the decision to make is whether an earlier crop is worth the risk. The amount of sunlight available, the extent and variety of the surrounding flora and fauna, soil condition and prevailing climate are also important factors to consider when planning where to start the vineyard. The growing season must coincide with the time when sunlight is most abundant. Pests and other animals that could destroy the crops must be controlled so it is important that the vineyard is located far from where these creatures reside. Soil composition must be analyzed so it can be matched with the correct vine type too. General climatic conditions will dictate how the whole process will proceed. The growing season must coincide with the time when sunlight is most abundant. Pests and other animals that could destroy the crops must be controlled so it is important that the vineyard is located far from where these creatures reside. Soil composition must be analyzed so it can be matched with the correct vine type too. General climatic conditions will dictate how the whole process will proceed. NOTE: These facts and many more are covered in my Top 25 Grape Growing Secrets mini-course. NOTE: These facts and many more are covered in my Top 25 Grape Growing Secrets mini-course. About the Author: Louie Kittani has been growing grapes in Colorado for over 25 years. What you just learned about growing grape vines is just the beginning. To get the full story and the FREE Top 25 Grape Growing Secrets Mini-course, check him out at Growing Grape Vines Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |
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