How Do You Grow & Harvest Concord Grapes?
The Concord grape, the hands-down favorite for jams, jellies and homemade wines, was developed in 1849 by Ephraim Wales Bull. As of 2009, more than 400,000 tons are produced in the United States each year. In addition to the Concord grape’s usefulness in recipes, its vines are ornamental; there is nothing more picturesque than grapevines rambling over a trellis, while providing beauty, shading and privacy. It is easy to see why gardeners like to grow Concord grapes. Some patience is required, however. The vines don’t usually produce much fruit until the third year of growth; by the fourth or fifth year, you can expect a good harvest if you have cared for and pruned your Concord grapes carefully. Select a good location for your Concord grapevines. The site should have rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0 and should be exposed to full sun. The south side of a garden is ideal. Thoroughly prepare the soil by tilling, weeding and composting. Plant the rooted vines in early
