I want to put an outdoor grape vine in my back garden, can someone recommend a variety for me? I live in Kettering if that helps.
Hi Paula... welcome to A4A I have a "black" called Regent which does really well here in Derby on a South facing wall. If I was starting again I'd probably try a "Lakemont" a green-seedless... :)
I wouldn't like to say Himrod and Interlaken are better than Lakemont - I don't know - but they are both terrific and more importantly have a different flavour from the ones in the shops. I have lots of experience with Himrod - it is very early and very sweet (or you can choose to eat it as soon as it is tender and while it is still green). It is a good bet for the midlands because it will crop even on a partly shaded area in the SE - though it does much better in 50% sun or more.
If you have a warm sheltered sunny spot then I'd recommend 'Glenora' which is black seedless and has a fantastic spicy flavour that beats anything in the shops hands down. You need to net them before they ripen because the vermin go berserk for them - but netting them can improve their performance by creating a microclimate.
You may also need wasp traps.
All these 3 varieties have been hybridised with species from N.America which improves their disease resistance (partly because they are better at coping with humidity).
I've never tried ordinary (vinifera) grapes in a pot but these hybrid ones don't seem to like it.
If you search online you will find some UK suppliers selling them for under £10 maybe even including p&p.
I gave some cuttings to a friend near Kettering about 4 years ago and they are doing fine, but I don't think they have fruited yet - cuttings are a year slower and we've had a string of really appalling summers so I wouldn't be surprised - but I will check and come back if they have.
what do you use to net them, and is that just the grapes or the whole vine?
You can risk it but pigeons and other vermin are everywhere. I'd say definitely net the grapes but if the vine is well trimmed it's easier to net the whole producing section (apart from the 'leg') as soon as the grapes start to colour. If you don't trim the new growth then fleece would probably be easier because it won't get entangled - but I really don't know what the side-effects are - bearing in mind that fleece can raise humidity.
I use a T shape or espalier form, and after the first bunches of flowers open I remove any new growth 2 leaves beyond the developing bunches (sometimes only one leaf beyond). Bunch-less shoots can be removed entirely or cut back to one leaf. This means there are no later bunches but they are useless anyway. One more trimming before the colouring up starts is useful, and a final one before netting is about it. Then the shape is clean enough to net easily and there shouldn't be too many snaggings when you remove it.
Cheers.
PS. If you do grow seeded grapes and get fed up with the pips then homemade grape juice is fantastic - 10x better than top grade £5/L shop juice and freezes well too. You can make cooking wine from the leftovers. I think making wine from the whole grapes is a waste since you'd need to be a genius to make anything as good as a £3.99 bottle.