summer grape

Summer grape should be watered weekly, allowing the top 3-4 inches of soil to dry out in between waterings. In hot, dry weather, water needs may increase. Give the plant a deep watering each time, saturating the entire root ball. In winter, reduce watering to once a month or less, depending on the climate.

Summer grape (Vitis aestivalis 'Norton') prefers full sun, which is defined as 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the summer months, when the sun is at its peak, this amount of direct sunlight is ideally found from 10am-5pm, allowing the plants to get the maximum amount of sunlight they need. In areas of high humidity and intense sun, some afternoon shade may be beneficial to the plants. If the summer grape plant is located in an area with partial shade, some effort may be needed to ensure that the plants are receiving enough sunlight, such as trimming back surrounding vegetation or trees to open things up more, or providing additional artificial light during the darkest hours of the day.

Summer grape (Vitis aestivalis 'Norton') should be pruned during the winter months, usually sometime between late December and early February. Summer grape bushes should be pruned to keep them manageable and to promote fruiting. Cutting back the shoots to about 6-12 inches will keep the bush in good shape and allow the branches to reach towards the sun. Remove any weak or dead branches, and thin out any large branches. Make sure to cut the branches slightly above the bud to ensure that the branch grows back. Prune away any rubbery growth and canes that are more than 2 years old, as they will not produce fruit anymore. Prune any branches that are crossing or growing directly into the center of the bush. After pruning, it is advised to work composted manure into the beds where the bushes are planted, and also to mulch the beds with leaves, hay, or straw to keep the soil moist and help fight off any weeds.