Plant in full sun to provide the adequate heat required to ripen the fruit. Sandy soil is preferred because it’s well-drained and contains a moderate amount of nutritious organic matter and generally lies within the preferred pH range.
Applying water deeply and thoroughly filling the root zone with water is an ideal way to irrigate. Annual pruning in late winter is very important to keep growth healthy each year and ensure optimal fruit production.
Grape vines will need to be trained to grow upwards, which can either be done by planting the vine on an arbor or along a fenceline.
Grape Jelly
Ingredients:
3 1/2 pounds of grapes
6 fluid ounces liquid pectin
4 cups white sugar
1/2 cup water
Directions:
1. Sort, wash grapes + remove stems. Place them into a large kettle + crush them.
2. Add water, cover + bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low + simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat + extract juice. Allow the juice to stand in a cool place overnight.
3. Strain the juice through a double thickness of damp cheesecloth. Measure 4 cups of the juice into a large pot. Stir in the sugar. Quickly bring to a full rolling boil. Stir in pectin + allow to boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat + skim off foam. Pour into hot sterile jars + process for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath.
