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Caring for a grape vine

richard.loginrichard.login Posts: 2
in Fruit & veg
I have a grape vine that has grown over from my neighbours into my small city centre garden. 
I see it is forming lots of grapes.
It is at the north end of my garden which receives sun throughout the summer
It is largely under a holly tree and a large woody bush.
Do vines need direct sunlight?  Should I prune back the bush so the grapes receive sun? 
Should I remove vine stems that are not fruit bearing?
  

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    The lateral branches which have the fruit should be pruned, count two leaves beyond the last bunch and cut there. Lateral branches without fruit can be pruned back to one leaf so almost completely removed. Ideally the fruit should get as much sun as possible to help ripen them.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Not sure about the vine growing over from your neighbour.
    Doesn't that mean the vine and possible grapes are your neighbours?
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I agree Bertrand,you can't just go chopping bits off a grape vine at any old time of the year.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Any fruit hanging over from a neighbours garden legally belongs to them,has to be returned,and grapes are pruned in winter
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Nanny Beach said:
    Any fruit hanging over from a neighbours garden legally belongs to them,has to be returned,and grapes are pruned in winter


    Well … not quite … formative pruning is done in winter, but at this time of year you cut back the fruiting laterals as @steephill describes above. 

     But yes, legally all fruit belongs to the owner of the vine no matter which side of the fence it is on, and should be offered to him/her in the first instance. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Very true Dove,but was assuming grapevine novice,wasn't going into these details,(especially as it isn't theirs)
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Yes, summer pruning to get sunlight to the fruit is okay.  @steephill gives good advice.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • richard.loginrichard.login Posts: 2
    I've talked to the neighbours.  I can keep all the fruit I want, they are not interested.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    We were just making sure,don't want anyone sued for trespass!
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    If your neighbours aren't interested in their vine and you fancy one of your own, ask if you can take a cutting or 2.  Autumn is the best time to do this and you should have something worthwhile to plant in Spring and then follow the pruning advice.
    Once rooted,it'll take a couple or so years to establish but you could end up with your own vine and fruit in the future :)
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