We are ready to plant our first grape in the back yard of our new home in Medford (OR). Your site has been very helpful to us. Thanks. We have already on site an 8 foot high 4 foot wide metal arch shaped trellis. My husband prefers red seedless, I would like green. Would it be possible to plant one of each on each side of the trellis?
Welcome Guest, I didn't get the length for your trellis? But if it's more than 8 feet, I'd certainly plant two varietie of grapes. Plan on heavy pruning every year! I have both "Canadice," and "Red Flame;" Canadice is very consistent, thick skinned, and seemingly closer related to an "American," or "Foxy" type grape. Red Flame has been prone to mildew, splitting, inconsistent sets, and never reaches the size of its Store-bought buddies. There must be several other "Red" grapes out there by now too.
I live in "Wine Country" (Yamhill County & surrounded by 3 vineyards), so most grapes do about as well here as is possible. The Flames are sweet and crunchy, I'd prefer them for fresh eating over Canadice any day, but there's a lot to be said for consistency with fruit.
Green grapes: I have both "Interlaken" and "Himrod;" they're "Sister Grapes." Interlaken have a tighter bunch and seem a bit more prolific (they're my choice between the two), Himrod have looser bunches (good for avoiding mildew) and the clusters seem a bit further apart. Both taste great and are thicker skinned than "Thompson Seedless." Thompson might do great for you, they're a more tinder, "European like" grape - I think I'm a bit too cold for them.
If you'd like to get a bit crazy... I get far more from my Fuzzy Kiwi's than my grapes, we're still eating fresh Kiwi daily! One male, one female, you've got the trellis, and most likely the heat...
And about the "Bud" question: a bud from the previous years growth will begin a new shoot of its own, that shoot will bare the fruit. The new growth and miniature clusters are beautiful!
I appreciate your helpful and prompt answer very much! We have always liked gardening but never had enough time both working full time in California until recently. We just retired and are new to the Oregon soil and weather (at the Rogue Valley). Our arch trellis being 8 foot height and only 4 foot across the base, I assume, won't allow then for 2 varieties of grapes?
If we can only have 1 and we would like them mostly to 'eat' which variety would you suggest? THANKS!
Yikes! For fear of being scolded for such a grandiose suggestion, I'll give you "my" favorite: Glenora. It's a seedless purple grape; crisp & sweet. ---But, every berry seems to hang onto its cluster stem and needs to be plucked off before eating... My Uncle's given up on them due to mildew problems I apparently don't have. They split very quickly with a fall rain; have inconsistent sized berries, loose clusters, and are very easily spotted and the first eaten by birds~
If you want a very consistent seedless grape, and yes, you've not got a lot of room, "Interlaken" is a good one. Heavy sets of sweet juicy grapes, and they're green - so the birds don't seem to spot them! As mentioned above; I'd be real tempted to try some "Thompson Seedless" if I were located further south and presumably warmer... Interlaken have the thicker "American" skins; Thompson's are more tinder and "European like."
Let's leave this open for suggestions though - it's still early for planting.
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