If you go out there and search for information on how do grapes grow, you will find a wealth of information about things you need to do to have a great harvest. That’s good, but it is equally important to know things that you ought not to do under any circumstances. Yes you may be an expert in how do you grow grapes, but we have all done that. Looking back, doing such things now make us look foolish.

I would like to cite one example of Ernie, my neighbor. After having seen at a landscape documentary, my friend decided that he wanted to grow grape vines in his backyard as it had its benefits. It was an admirable decision, but his decision on the variety of grapes to grow was less advisable. Ernie had no experience whatsoever in grapes growing and he decided to plant Pinot Noir vine. When other experienced grape growers came to know about his decision they are not ammenable of the idea, but Ernie did not pay heed.

If you are not familiar with the variety, here is a brief description. Pinot Noir is the most sought after variety of vine for making wine due to its silky texture and wide array of aromas. The rider is that it is disease and frost sensitive and ripens quite early exactly at a time when there is high frost. Having problem?

He didn’t care of the tips given by experienced people; his heart was on those delicious juicy grapes. He bought the vines from a nursery and then went on to make blunders in grape growing. He dug a hole and stuffed the cutting without making enough space for the roots and on top of that he used different fertilizers which in turn harmed the roots. Moreover he planted it along side a tree. What was his alibi? He would have sunburn while caring for it. He also reasoned that since there is a tree nearby, the plant would climb and there was no need for building a trellis. After a few months the plant was dead. It is not clear what killed the plant; it may be due to snow, insect infestation or may be due to excessive watering- he used to water the plant every day, but the point is he did not know the basics of growing anything let alone grapes. This was the end of his grapes growing fantasy.

Take a glimpse what of my grape vine look like would.