How to Grow Concord Grapes in Your Backyard

This post sharing how to grow Concord grapes in your backyard contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.

If you are interested in learning about how to grow Concord grapes in your backyard, you have come to the right place.

Growing this juicy gourmet fruit is a simple process and even beginners can yield a delicious harvest to eat fresh off the vine or to make a variety of recipes like concord jelly, jam, and wine.

How to Grow Concord Grapes in Your Backyard

The first step to growing Concord grapes in your backyard is to start with a healthy young plant. You can purchase these online or from a trusted garden center near you at the beginning of Spring.

The Concord grape, also known as Vitis labrusca, is a popular and flavorful variety that thrives in certain climates, especially in hardiness zones 5 through 8.

Before planting, it’s essential to choose an ideal location for your Concord grape vines to thrive and yield a delicious harvest.

Are Concord Grapes Self-Pollinating?

While it is generally recommended to plant multiple grapevines for cross-pollination, some grape varieties, including Concord grapes, may exhibit a degree of self-fertility. This means that under certain conditions, they can set fruit with their own pollen, even though they are primarily cross-pollinating.

Grapevine fertility can be influenced by various factors, including the specific cultivar, environmental conditions, and the presence of potential pollinators like bees and other insects.

In nature, grapevines rely on pollinators such as bees, wasps, and other insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen from the male parts (anthers) to the female parts (stigma) within the flower. This crucial interplay between male and female flowers is the cornerstone of grape pollination and fruit development.

For self-pollinating grape varieties, a single vine houses both male and female flower parts, allowing them to achieve pollination and fruit set on their own. Conversely, non-self-pollinating grape varieties, also known as cross-pollinating or dioecious, depend on pollen from a different vine of the same variety to accomplish successful fertilization.

Additionally, introducing bee-friendly plants in the vineyard can attract and support essential pollinators, further augmenting pollination efficiency.

Choosing the Right Location

When choosing a location to plant your grape vines, look for a spot that receives at least six to eight hours of full sun exposure. Sunlight is crucial for the growth and ripening of the grapes, and a sunny location will help ensure the vines receive the necessary energy for robust fruit production and optimal flavor.

You will also want to be mindful of the soil conditions at the planting site. Concord grapes prefer well-draining soil and ideally, you want it to have a Ph level between 5.5 and 7.0.

If you find that your soil is too acidic, find out how to make soil more alkaline by reading this guide sharing 8 easy ways to raise the Ph.

This juicy fruit grows best in moist but not soggy soil. Proper soil drainage is essential to prevent waterlogged roots and ensure the health and vitality of the grapevine.

Other than well-draining, don’t get hung up on providing the best soil for concord grapes because they are really tolerant of poor soil so don’t worry too much about testing or amending it to satisfy these hardy plants.

Do Concord Grapes Need a Trellis?

When considering the location of your grape vines keep in mind that they require support. This doesn’t have to be a trellis but you will need something to support the vine.

You can use a pergola, an overhead trellis, or any kind of plant support you choose. I use ladders and planted my Concord grape vines next to a porch railing with lattice for the vines to grow on.

Planting a Concord Grape Vine

After you have chosen the best location for your plant the next step is to dig a wide hole that will comfortably hold the root ball. You want to make the hole deep enough to accommodate the roots while not burying the crown of the plant below the soil line.

Spread out the roots and then cover them with soil, packing them in just enough to support the plant. Once your plant is securely in the ground, it’s time to water your plant. Hydration is crucial so this will get your plant off to a good healthy start.

You will want to be sure to keep your plant well-watered, even during the first year when the plant hasn’t begun producing fruit.

Common Grape Diseases

While grapes are easy to grow and maintain, they are susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases. Aside from learning how to grow concord grapes in your backyard, you will need to be aware of grape diseases.

Some of the most common grape diseases are powdery mildew, downy mildew, botrytis bunch rot, Esca, Anthracnose, and Black Rot.

Powdery Mildew: This unwanted garden guest appears as a delicate, powdery, white coating on our grape leaves, shoots, and even fruit. This sneaky fungus can disrupt photosynthesis and harm the quality of our precious grapes.

Downy Mildew: Ah, downy mildew, the cunning cousin of powdery mildew. This one brings yellow spots on the upper side of the leaves and a lovely downy growth on the lower side. It loves to mess with our grapevine’s leaves and shoots.

Botrytis Bunch Rot: This fungus appears as a grayish mold on the surface of the grapes and when it appears, they start to decay.

Esca (Black Measles): This appears as black streaks or lesions on our grapevine’s wood. It’s not just one culprit, but a mix of multiple pathogens causing this mysterious disease.

Anthracnose: This tricky disease gives our grape leaves and fruit dark, circular lesions with a purplish border. Not the kind of artwork we want on our vines!

Black Rot: This appears as dark spots on grapes usually and leads to the premature dropping of infected fruit.

Tips for Harvesting Concord Grapes

Grapes can take up to three years to start producing fruit but they will make up for the slow start over time since they can produce over 20 lbs of fruit per vine and can live for over 40 years.

Many of the articles I have read online claim that Concord Grapes are not ready to pick until September.

This just isn’t always the case. I say this while popping some as I write this post in July, and let me tell you, these concord grapes are tasty!

Grapes, like many agricultural crops, exhibit variability in maturity and harvesting time across different gardens and vineyards. To determine the ideal moment for harvesting Concord grapes, a methodical approach is recommended, focusing on periodic fruit sampling.

As the calendar rolls into July and your grape clusters transform into a captivating hue of purple, indicating potential ripeness, resist the urge to rush into harvest. Instead, take a moment to conduct a tasting evaluation at different phases of the concord grape growth stages.

Pluck a plump grape from the vine and carefully assess its taste profile, paying attention to juiciness, sweetness, and overall flavor.

This testing method stands as the definitive means to determine the grapes’ readiness for consumption. Should you encounter any hint of bitterness during the initial tasting, just allow the grapes some additional time for optimal ripening.

How to Prune Concord Grapes

Pruning plays a crucial role in maintaining the vitality, productivity, and controlled development of Concord grapevines.

Typically conducted during the dormant season in late winter or early spring, just before new growth emerges, here’s a concise step-by-step guide:

1. Identify primary branches and locate the well-established, thicker branches that bore fruit in the previous season, originating from the main trunk.
2. Select robust canes and remove any damaged or overcrowded canes. Opt for the healthiest canes as the main branches for the current season, establishing the essential structure for growth and fruiting.
3. Trim back the chosen main canes to encourage the emergence of new shoots, which will bear clusters of delightful grapes.
4. During the growing season, thin out and manage the lateral shoots, retaining only the strongest and healthiest ones to optimize air movement and sunlight absorption.
5. In the following dormant season, concentrate on maintaining the primary branches and controlling the lateral shoots.

With experience, pruning becomes more manageable, enabling you to confidently execute the necessary cuts for a flourishing grapevine.

How Big Do Concord Grape Vines Get?

Concord grape vines are renowned for their vigorous growth, thriving particularly well under optimal conditions. A fully mature Concord grapevine can attain remarkable lengths, typically ranging from 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters).

Some exceptional specimens have been known to extend even further, reaching up to 30 feet (9 meters) or more.

Fun fact: The Concord grape was first developed in Concord, Massachusetts, by Ephraim Bull in the mid-19th century. This delicious fruit is the result of crossing wild grape species, leading to its distinctive flavor.

Why Are Concord Grapes Hard to Find?

Concord grapes may be hard to find due to a short harvest season, perishability, and the high market demand for other grape varieties such as the more popular red or green grapes.

Consider exploring farmers’ markets or growing them in your backyard once you find where to buy Concord grape plants so you can enjoy fresh fruit for many years to come.

Do You Need to Fertilize Concord Grape Plants?

In the initial years, grapevines typically do not demand significant fertilization, especially in nutrient-rich soil with controlled weed growth. However, once the plants establish regular fruiting, growers can apply a complete fertilizer during the spring.

The preferred fertilizer often has an NPK formula with a higher P value (phosphorus) compared to N (nitrogen). This helps to support fruit production and overall vine health effectively.

You may enjoy learning 17 Cheap Ways to Add Nitrogen to Soil.

Can Concord Grapes Be Grown in Pots?

Yes, Concord grapes can be grown in pots, but there are some key considerations. Opt for a large container with good drainage (at least 20 inches in diameter and depth). Use a well-draining potting mix, ensure the pot receives 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, and provide support for the grapevine to climb.

Water regularly, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Use a balanced fertilizer and prune regularly to maintain size and shape. Be sure to allow the vines plenty of airflow to avoid disease and protect the potted grapevine from freezing temperatures during winter.

With proper care, you can enjoy a sweet and delicious harvest from your potted Concord grapevine in limited gardening spaces.

What Are the Health Benefits of Concord Grapes?

Enjoy the health benefits of growing Concord grapes in your own backyard.

Concord grapes can help to support cardiovascular health because they contain a combination of resveratrol and flavonoids, which enhance blood fluidity and relax arterial walls, resulting in lower blood pressure. Resveratrol also offers DNA protection, particularly beneficial for shielding breast tissue from mutations associated with certain cancers.

These tasty fruits can also combat inflammation since they are packed with polyphenols. Concord grapes act as potent antioxidants, combating inflammation and promoting a vibrant, youthful appearance. Another health benefit of eating grapes is that they contain dietary fiber which aids digestion and fosters a thriving gut environment.

They also enhance antioxidant levels and effectively counter oxidative stress, safeguarding cells from damage and promoting overall health. They may also prevent the accumulation of harmful substances, supporting sharp brain function and a healthy nervous system.

By stimulating the production of disease-fighting cells, Concord grapes boost the immune system, keeping you resilient during cold and flu seasons.

Now that you know how to grow Concord grapes in your backyard you can enjoy all of the health benefits that this tasty fruit provides.

If you liked this post sharing how to grow Concord grapes in your backyard, consider signing up for the free newsletter and following on Pinterest so you never miss another post again. Be sure to check out all of the gardening tips on this site to make your plants thrive!