Does anyone on here grow eating grapes and, if so, what is the amount of work needed to A) establish them including supports and B) maintain them. Any other info welcome. I'm looking at maintenance required while aging..
@TrueBloodNet for support i use 6' posts with a cross piece and string baling wire along the ends.
Soil preparation depends. More water equals more grapes generally.
Big pruning in the off season
I do no pesticides or fertilizer other than composted stuff. Beetles love grapes and chickens love beetles.
How do you feel about chickens?
@b4cks4w I can be patient.. I just don't want to have huge efforts needed. Why are your posts 6' high? Needed or would 5' above ground do?
@TrueBloodNet 5' is fine too. Want to keep the fruit off the ground and at easy height for picking. The vines can grow 5 feet in a season - forgot to mention that every so often go loop them onto the wire to keep them off the ground.
@b4cks4w I'd be happy to have ducks/chickens but there are only 10' sq I'm allowed to have them according to the city and I'd have to fight my way into the woods mid winter so.. can't do that.
What about beetle traps?
@TrueBloodNet
Traps, yep, or just knock them into a bag and give them to your local poultry friends. We get a swarm of Japanese beetles and while it's dramatic, they don't really do a lot of damage.
@TrueBloodNet oh it may take 3 years to really get them established.