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  • From: Sue Christensen <sue@hoodel.com>
  • To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [NAFEX] American grapes
  • Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:52:22 -0500

Last spring I purchased a number of grapes for juice/jam and fresh eating. Despite regular watering, the extended drought may have contributed to the very slow growth last year. Also, an early spring-like system led to early budbreak followed by freezes, so I lost the initial leaves. This spring, I need to construct a trellis to support them and I wondered which type of system you would recommend for these varieties: Buffalo, Seneca, Concord, Steuben, Cayuga, Sheridan, Red and White Swenson, Jupiter.

I'm in zone 6A PA, so I don't know if the instructions for northern planting still apply (2-strand wire fence, prune plant to low-headed double trunk).

Also, is it advisable to use aged horse manure or mushroom compost with these grapes? I know these varieties are purported to be vigorous in nature, but I dug the grape arbor space out of silty loam grasslands that are somewhat skimpy in depth of friable organic matter. I was wondering if giving them a "boost" at some growth point was permissible this year.

Thanks for your advice.




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