How Much Spacing in a Row Is Needed to Grow Grapes?
Rows of grapevines with fruits ripening in the warm summer sun produce wine or table grapes for both commercial vintners and home gardeners around the world. Thriving in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, grapes require well-draining soil and sunlight to produce plump, juicy fruits. Spacing the plants properly along the rows is essential to grape production, as crowded grapevines will grow into a tangled mass of vines, reducing the sun exposure and the quality of the fruits.
Vineyards for wine grapes are traditionally placed on rocky hillsides. A less fertile soil is better, as the vines produce smaller grapes. In winemaking, a small grape is preferred as it provides a better ratio of juice to skin. The recommended spacing for rows is 4 feet wider than the tractor, or a minimum of 8 feet apart. Within the rows, the vines may be planted 6 to 8 feet apart.
Table grapes are often planted in well-draining, rich soils in order to produce large, sweet fruits. When planted along a fence line or covering an arbor, European varieties (Vitis vinifera) are spaced 6 feet apart while the more vigorous American varieties (Vitis labrusca) and hybrids are planted 8 feet apart. In a vineyard, the recommended distance between the rows of vines is 8 to 9 feet.
The native Southern grapevine, the muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia), is grown in backyards across the South as well as the wine-producing regions of California, Oregon and Washington. Muscadine vines are extremely vigorous, growing rampantly through the growing season. Unlike the European and other American varieties that grow between 10 and 25 feet long, muscadine vines grow up to 100 feet long. While the spacing between the rows is usually between 10 and 14 feet, within the rows the grapevines are spaced 20 feet apart.
While all grapevines require severe pruning in late winter, summer pruning helps keep the vines to a manageable size. Removing non-productive vines and reducing the length of grape-producing vines to 4 to 6 feet concentrates the grapevine's energy on the fruits. The more vigorous muscadine grapevines may be pruned to 10 to 15 feet long. On all varieties, the developing fruits also require morning sun to fully ripen. Removing a few leaves on the east and north sides of the vines will increase sun exposure and removing leaves that block air circulation around the grape clusters will prevent powdery mildew from growing on the grapes.
- University of California Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Growing Grapes in Your Backyard
- Oregon State University Extension Service: Growing Quality Grapes in Oregon
- University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: Muscadine Grape Production in the Home Garden
- Growing Organic: Pruning Grapes in the Summer -- Tips for Growing Table Grapes in the Home Garden
With degrees in fine and commercial art and Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer and published author. De Jauregui authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden, available as an ebook. She enthusiastically pursues creative and community interests, including gardening, home improvement and social issues.