“Pink Reliance” seedless grapes (Vitis vinifer) is a seedless grape variety that does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. It should be noted, however, that the fruit may contain small seeds when grown in hardiness zones 6 and above. “Pink Reliance” vines can withstand temperatures as cold as 20 degrees below 0 and are resistant to most grape vine pests and diseases. The grapes are sweet, firm and perfect fro eating right off the vine. Each plant can yield 20 to 40 pounds of fruit with proper pruning and ideal growing conditions, but most home gardeners will likely see yields on the lower end of the range. Some loss should also be expected due to birds, so plant enough to share.
Build or buy a grape arbor and place it in a place that receives full sun. The arbor will provide support for heavy grape vines, so make sure it is sturdy. You should plant one grape vine per arbor post, so make sure your arbor is big enough to accommodate the number of vines you want. If you prefer, grapes can be grown on a trellis, but training grapes onto this type of structure is more difficult and time consuming than using an arbor.
Test the pH level of the soil where you plan to plant your grapes. Grapes do best at a pH level between 5 and 6. The soil will need to be amended if the pH level is incorrect. Make sure the soil has adequate drainage as well, and amend as necessary if it is very clay-like and wet.
Mix a 10-10-10 fertilizer into the planting soil seven days before you plant. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 8 ounces per plant.
Plant your grape canes next to the arbor, planting one vine per arbor post. When planting, trim off any broken roots and bury the cane a bit more deeply than it was planted at the nursery. Cut the newly planted cane back so that it contains only two or three buds. Always plant grapes in the spring.
Water the grapes with about one inch of water a week during their first year. After that, grapes are fairly drought resistant and should not require much water.
Secure the grape vines to their respective arbor posts with wire during their first summer of growth. Do this as soon as the vine is long enough to reach the arbor and be secured there without pulling on the young plant. Continue securing the length of the vine to the arbor as it grow taller, allowing it to reach the top of the arbor and grow side branches.
Watch the grape’s growth pattern. The main vine attached to the posts will be the plant’s central leader and should not be disturbed. The offshoots that come form the central leader are the parts of the plant that will flower and produce grapes for harvest. In the winter when the plant is dormant, prune back the vine by cutting back all of the shoots that produced grapes so they only have five or six buds on them. When you are done pruning, you should have vines shoots on the trellis about two to three feet apart. It is imperative that you prune the grapes in this manner every winter.
Remove any weak, diseased or damaged shoots during pruning even if they did not produce fruit.
Fertilize the grapes every spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Things You Will Need
- Grape arbor
- Soil pH test kit
- Soil amendments (optional)
- 10-10-10 fertilizer
- One-year old “Pink Reliance” canes
- Pruning shears
- Grapes do not continue to ripen after harvest, so wait to pick your grapes until they have ripened fully.
- Don't panic if you do not get grapes from your plant the first year. Grapes vines can take three years to establish.
- National Gardening Association: How to: Prune Grape Vines
- P. Allen Smith Garden Home: Growing Grapes
- Ohio State University Extension: Growing Grapes in the Home Fruit Planting
- Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co.: Seedless Pink Reliance Grapes
- National Gardening Association: Edible of the Month: Grapes
- Mother Earth News: Sensational Seedless Grapes
- Soul/Lifesize/Getty Images