In many places in the world, growing grapes is an art form. Take a train through the Italian countryside. You’ll see elaborate systems of trellises and irrigation traversing many hillside vineyards. In the United States, we grow grapes from coast to coast. Different species are good for different climates and different purposes. 

In my house, grapes are a favorite snack. Sweet, juicy, and delicious, if grapes are an option, they are always the fruit of choice. From jelly to wine, products made with this fruit are incredibly popular throughout the world. 

There are several common species to grow based on your climate. Some are best for winemaking, others are extra juicy, and some are wonderful for fresh eating. Let’s talk about ‘Concord’ grapes. This iconic, North American grape is a classic choice for juice, jellies, pies, and fresh eating. 

What Is It?

‘Concord’ grapes are one of the most popular grapes grown in North America. First developed in Concord, MA, these have been around since the mid-1800s and show no signs of declining popularity. They are well-loved for being cold-hardy and having a bold, rich flavor. 

These vigorous, long-lived vines thrive in cooler climates, making them a unique variety. They are tolerant of much colder temperatures than most European grapes. They are sometimes used for making sweet wines. However, they’re more commonly table grapes and are often used in jams, jellies, and sweet juice.

Characteristics

The fruits are blue-violet in color.

The ‘Concord’ plant is a strong, vigorous vine that requires ample support. They are long-lived and typically bear a heavy load of fruit when they are well-maintained. They’re best grown in zones 4-8.

The fruit is deep blue-violet with a whitish bloom, or waxy coating, on the skin. The skin is a ‘slip skin’, which means that it is easy to remove from the pulp. The flavor is sweet and aromatic with a bit of ‘foxy’ flavor. ‘Foxy’ refers to a musky tang that is common to North American grapes. 

The only drawback to ‘Concord’ grapes is the seeds. They are large, and this makes them less desirable as table grapes than modern seedless cultivars. 

Native Area

The grapes are named after their city of origin.

‘Concord’ grapes are a cultivated variety and come from Concord, Massachusetts. Developed by Ephraim Wales Bull in 1849, this variety is from homegrown seedlings. They bear the same name as their city of origin. 

The parent species, Vitis labrusca, is native to the Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada. You can find it growing wild from New England and the Great Lakes, south to the Appalachian region.

Planting

Make sure you have some way to support the grapes.

The key to growing grapes is giving them a strong start. They need plenty of space to sprawl out and ample support to keep them off the ground. An arbor or pergola is a good place to grow them. You can also build a more traditional two-wire trellis if you prefer that look and function.  

Transplanting

Transplant in spring when conditions are mild.

‘Concord’ grapes do best in mild to cool climates with cold winters. It’s best to transplant them in the spring to give them ample time to establish roots. If you wait too long, the summer heat will stress them, slowing the establishment of roots. Too late, and they may not survive the winter.

Plant your seedlings in early spring, as soon as the ground is workable. Get them in the ground preferably before they come out of dormancy. Water the seedlings the day before planting to reduce stress and shock. 

Dig a hole that is slightly wider than the root ball, but only as deep. The stem should start at soil level and not below. Set it in the hole and backfill with loose soil. Gently tamp it down and water well. 

Growing from Seed

Planting seeds is typically not recommended.

Growing ‘Concord’ grapes, or any variety, from seeds is possible, but it requires a significant time investment. Because this is a hybrid, it rarely breeds true, so we don’t recommend growing from seeds.  

If you decide to grow your grapes from seeds, here is a brief explanation of how:

1. Harvest or acquire your seeds from a reputable source. 
2. Grape seeds require cold, moist stratification. You can do this by placing them in a container or bag with a damp paper towel. Place the container in the refrigerator for two to three months before attempting germination. 
3. After stratification, sow seeds about one-quarter inch deep in a well-draining seed starting mix. Water and place your containers in a warm, bright spot. Germination takes between two and eight weeks. 
4. Wait until your seedlings have two to three sets of true leaves, and then transplant into larger pots. 
5. Provide your seedlings with plenty of bright sunlight and keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
6. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings over the course of a week to 10 days. Grown from seeds, your grapevine will take anywhere from three to six years to produce fruit. 

How to Grow

Once established, ‘Concord’ grapes are not challenging to grow and care for. They are highly adaptable, have low to moderate water needs, and a single vine can be exceptionally productive.

Water

Water slowly and deeply to encourage root growth.

Once well established, ‘Concord’ grape vines are relatively drought-tolerant. In their first year, and even their second, regular watering will help them to establish deep roots. 

During those first two years, make sure your plant gets about one inch of water per week. That equates to roughly five or ten gallons. Mature vines have deep roots and tolerate dry spells. During times of extended drought, we recommend watering occasionally. 

Soil 

The soil should drain quickly to prevent rot.

While they are adaptable, like all plants, ‘Concord’ grapes have an ideal soil type. They perform best in soil with moderate fertility and excellent drainage. Light and loamy, a mixture of sand and loam, is perfect for this plant. 

Excellent drainage is imperative. They don’t like either soggy or compacted soil. If you have heavy clay soil, you’ll want to amend it well or consider raised rows. The soil shouldn’t be overly rich, or you’ll get tons of leafy growth and sub-par fruit. Slightly acidic soil is also a preference for this plant.  

Temperature and Humidity

Concord grapes are a hardy variety.

The ideal climate for ‘Concord’ grapes is a combination of cold winters, warm summers, and moderate humidity. They are naturally adapted to cooler northern conditions and are hardy to temperatures as low as -20°F (-28°C). 

These are much hardier than European grapes, which don’t thrive in colder climates. They handle hot summer weather well, although extended periods over 95°F (35°C) will stress the vines and affect the quality of your fruit. 

Fertilizing

Once established, fertilize annually in spring.

Grapes are naturally vigorous plants, and fertilizing them is all about striking a balance. Too much nitrogen will result in leafy growth and subpar fruit. You want to feed the roots and the fruits without making your vines run wild. 

In the first year, you want to focus on root development. Compost and manure at planting time will provide most of the nutrients that your plant needs for quite some time. You can give a light application of a balanced fertilizer twice in that year. Once in late spring and again in early summer. 

In the second year, apply a half cup of balanced fertilizer around the roots in spring and again in summer. Mature vines can take a full cup of balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring, but skip the summer fertilizing. 

Maintenance

Prune vines to stop them from becoming overgrown.

Pruning is the most important ongoing care task that you’ll need to do to keep your vines healthy and productive. If you don’t prune, they will become tangled and overgrown, leaving you with few usable grapes. 

Pruning also increases airflow in the canopy, combating fungal diseases. It balances the growth of the plant, overall, and keeps them to a more manageable size. 

It’s best to prune while your plant is dormant, in late winter. This way, you have a better view of the vines and can be more selective about what you trim. At this time, you should prune both the canes and the spurs. Don’t worry if you over-prune; that is better than not removing enough. 

In summer, you can pinch back excess shoots to improve air flow. This allows sunlight to penetrate the canopy as well, which is good for developing fruit. 

In addition to pruning, training your ‘Concord’ grape vine is an integral part of care. In part, it will naturally grow along the support you offer. However, it will also overgrow that space, so you’ll want to train it to keep it neat and tidy.

Propagation

While propagation from seeds is possible, it’s uncommon because of how long it takes vines to mature. Seeds also rarely breed true, so the most reliable method of propagation is by cuttings and layering.

Cuttings

Take hardwood cuttings in late winter for propagation.

Most commonly, people propagate grape vines from hardwood cuttings. It’s possible with greenwood, but they are more delicate, so it’s easier to use hardwood. 

Take your cuttings in late winter to early spring, while the vines are dormant. You want to cut pencil-thick canes in sections of 12 to 18 inches long. Each cutting should have three or four buds where leaves will grow. 

Cut your canes at a diagonal to maximize the rooting area. Optionally, dip the end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in pots filled with well-draining soil, burying two buds and leaving two above the soil. 

Keep your soil moist and place the cuttings in a spot with bright, indirect light. During the spring, roots and shoots should develop. You can plant in late spring or wait until next year to plant earlier in the season. 

Layering

This technique results in faster rooting.

Layering is another reliable method of propagation that is most often successful. Carry out your layering in spring and summer. This method is simple and results in faster rooting and a stronger plant. 

Select a low-growing, flexible cane and bend it down to the ground. Score around the bark in two places about an inch or two apart and strip the bark away between them. 

Bury the stripped section of the care under three to four inches of soil and pin it down. Leave the tip exposed. The buried section will develop roots while it’s still attached to the parent. In the following spring, you simply cut it free from the parent and transplant it to a new location. 

Harvesting and Storage

Grapes are usually ready to harvest in September.

Timing is important when it comes to harvesting grapes. They are typically ripe in late summer to early fall, depending on your region. ‘Concord’ grapes are usually at their peak in September. 

Look for signs of ripeness before harvesting. Your grapes should have their full, rich, deep color. They should feel slightly softer and come away from the stem easily. Taste-testing is the most reliable method of checking ripeness. 

Use clean, sharp harvesting snips or scissors to remove entire clusters of fruit. Harvest them in the morning when they are cool, but wait long enough that the dew evaporates. They should be dry when you harvest them. 

For short-term storage, you can keep grapes in the refrigerator for about two to three weeks. Don’t wash them ahead of time; this will speed up the development of mold. 

For those that you want to store long-term, you’ll need to process them in some way. You can freeze them whole. You can dehydrate them, turning them into raisins. ‘Concord’ grapes make an excellent juice or jam. 

Common Problems

Grapes tend to encounter more pests and diseases in warm, humid climates. ‘Concord’ grapes are particularly susceptible to black rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. A well-cared-for plant will always be more resilient and stand up better to stress. 

Pests

Look out for beetles and cutworms eating foliage.

‘Concord’ grapes are tougher, in general, than European grapes, but they do have a few pests to contend with. Japanese beetles are a big threat. The adults skeletonize foliage and can leave ugly scars on the fruit. 

The grape berry moth larvae and cutworms are both types of moth larvae that feed on grapes. They can bore into fruits and chew through new, green shoots in the spring. They typically won’t do serious harm to mature vines, but young seedlings are at risk. 

Aphids and whiteflies are common garden pests that typically don’t discriminate. They are both sap sucking insects and like to feed on young foliage. Their stick excrement provides a place for sooty mold to grow, which interferes with photosynthesis. 

Encouraging beneficial insects is the most eco-friendly way to deal with most pests. However, sometimes they get out of hand. In this case, neem oil and insecticidal soaps are safe and effective treatments. Kaolin clay, sprayed on the plant as a liquid suspension is a good deterrent of pests.

Diseases

Various fungal diseases are common in grapes.

Most of the diseases that plague ‘Concord’ grape plants are fungal. The best preventatives for these are maintaining airflow and keeping moisture to a minimum.

Overhead watering is a bad idea, as a practice. It loses a lot of water in evaporation and doesn’t deliver it where you need it. Always water in the morning so that leaves are dry by nighttime. 

One of the more common fungal diseases is black rot, which is a serious disease. It manifests in brown and black spots on the leaves and shriveled fruit. Powdery mildew is typically a result of poor airflow and high humidity. Downy mildew is similar. 

Botrytis is another type of mold that shows up as gray fuzz on grapes. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that can stunt the growth of the plant and scar the fruit. Good plant hygiene and maintenance are the best ways to prevent these. Copper fungicides are effective, but can be harsh and hard on pollinators. Neem oil is typically effective and safer all around. 

Frequently Asked Questions