"taz" wrote in message
oups.com...
Decided to go for soft fruit and vines this year instead of my usual
veggies. Most things storming away already but the new grapevines are
being very slow. One seems to have buds now but the other seems a bit,
well, stick-like. A gentle bark scrape reveals that it is alive.
Should I just wait and see?

Grape vines are not a 'do it this year' crop.

They generally take several years to establish, and also should not normally
be allowed to fruit in the first year.

As noted by others, it is still early for grape vines to be showing much
activity; our established vines are still just showing buds.

Later in the year you will no doubt wonder why you worried - once they get
going they produce a lot of growth.

This has to be controlled to establish a strong vine capable of bearing
fruit in subsequent years.

Also, do not expect a large yield per vine, especially in the early years.

ISTR that commercial grape vines only produce a few bunches each - it takes
a lot of vines to produce a barrel of wine.

One alternative crop is vine leaves - as used in Greek cooking.

Evey year I mean to try the young leaves, but each year I forget.

HTH

Dave R