Vineyard / Field guide

Before you order your first vines

Start with the place you have, then choose the grapes that can belong there.

Watch the site before you change it.

A grapevine is a long-term planting. Look for direct sun, freely draining soil and room for air to move through the canopy. Notice where water sits after rain and where cold air collects. Morning sun can help foliage dry; a low, sheltered pocket may create a different problem from a breezy slope.

Put the practical details on paper.

• Sketch the usable area, existing trees and nearby shade.
• Mark paths, boundaries, water access and places to turn equipment.
• Record drainage observations and arrange a soil test through a local service.
• Ask your regional Extension office which grape types and training systems suit your conditions.

Use the density estimator to explore numbers only after subtracting space needed for access. A calculated number of vines is not a trellis design.