grapes

[gwynnethmary]

We planted a grape vine on the wall of our garage the summer- it gets a reasonable amount of sun during the summer and is in a sheltered spot.  Does anyone think we should build a sort of lean-to protective structure around it, and, if we did, would it have to stand on hard standing, or could it just rest on the soil?  Could we use fleece?

[gwynnethmary]

[Baccy Man]

Do you know what variety it is? Mine are outdoors with no protection but some varieties are hardier than others.

[plainleaf2]

gwynnethmary it might helpful if you provided more info about the grape variety.
It might also be helpful if you  provided info about you general location and local climate.

[gwynnethmary]

It wasn't a named variety- just picked it up on impulse from Focus.  The spot it's in faces South but there's quite a bit of shade in the winter from buildins and tall shrubs- the wall is quite sunny in the summer though.  We live in the North- East, and I wondered if it might need some winter protection.  The garage shelters it from the wind which mainly comes from that direction.

[realfood]

Grape vines are hardy so frost is not a problem, but the problem may be in getting the grapes to ripen if they are outdoors. you will just need to see what happens.

[Digeroo]

Both the people I know who have grapevines in conservatories have the roots outside.

[realfood]

I have my grapes in a greenhouse, but I made sure that the roots were planted outside and the main stem threaded under the base of the greenhouse. In very dry spells, I even have to water the ground outside as grapes take up a lot of water.

[1066]

I think you will be ok gwynnethmary, but if you want you can always wrap some fleece around it and maybe mulch with some straw. I find with some of my tender plants its the combination of wet and cold that does them in

1066

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

they go dormant in winter so you will be fine - I have several and never have protected them - lets face it they grow in the French pyrenees no problems and that CAN get cold!

Psi

[gwynnethmary]

Thanks everyone for your words of advice and encouragement- we'll hold off the lean-to for now (phew! glad about that- didn't really fancy it!)

[Vinlander]

I'd agree that ripening is the only issue - and a net can help with that - you may need one anyway if they are any good - especially if you let them get really sweet. And wasp traps.