On 23 Apr, 14:29, hazchem wrote:
Grapes for wine are not usually good to eat. I have several vines on
my allotment and I am increasing the number. I would be interested to
know how other people solve the problems of vine growing. Vines don't
like waterlogged soils in winter (not many plants do) and I solve this
problem by growing my vines on ridges. I would like to know how other
people solve the problem, or if they see it as a problem. Books don't
seem to have much to say on the subject.
When I go to Brighton on the train from East Croydon I look out for 2
allotment sites near the tracks. The second of the 2 has a plot
seeming to be completely covered in vines.
I have had some criticism from the organisers of my allotment site
about my plot, and I am concerned that they may not feel that my plot
is up to their standards. If they do criticise again, I would like to
be able to tell them that many people have mostly vines on their plot
and have done so for years with no problems.

New Kent Allotment - there's this chap who's growing grapes since
1982. Check that link.

http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/features/2444.html

My father in law growns a stranger grape in his greenhouse
(Birmingham) - a delicious white dessert grape, sweet and full of
flavour, compact small transluscent raisins. Amazing. It's in it's
green house, straight from the ground, well protected and deep rooted,
a light sandy soil and a very old specimen, but with a fantastic
yield. My in laws have beein in this house perhaps 10 years now and
found the grape but didn't asked what it was.

Interesting you've asked these questions because I want to grow grapes
and the lotty is out of the question. The requirements now to plant
fruit trees, new sheds, hedge etc. is so laborious, I don't even want
to go there. So I thought against my house which is a perfect place,
16m of south facing wall. I will need to start working on the soil
very soon for next year - I'm looking at totally changing the soil
since I've got tarmac, followed by rubble, then sand etc. It is going
to be quite a project but we've started working on the trellis, which
will form part of a pergola running all along the side of the house
where I want the grapes to grow. I thought 2 grapes would do, ideally
a white one and a red one.

Now how/what soil would you start with? What type of layers? I live in
Manchester (and no it doesn't rain all the time ;o)