How to grow Grape in Australia
Plant vines in full sun with free-draining soil and strong support such as a trellis or wires. Water young vines well to establish, then water established plants deeply but infrequently.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 200 cm
- Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | June to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | June to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | June to August | |
| Perth & WA | June to August | |
| Tasmania | June to August | Plant Jun to Aug. This is cool-climate wine country. Early table varieties ripen on a warm sheltered wall. |
| Canberra & ACT | June to August | |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. No winter dormancy and relentless fungal pressure through the wet season. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable for home gardens. Table grapes need winter dormancy that Darwin never provides. |
Varieties
- Flame Seedless
- Thompson Seedless (Sultana)
- Shiraz
- Verdelho
Companion planting
Good companions
- Hyssop
- Basil
- Clover
- Geranium
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Taste a few from the bottom of each bunch, as colour alone can mislead. Once sweet, cut whole bunches at the stem with secateurs, since grapes do not ripen further off the vine.
Storage
Fridge in a bag, up to 2 weeks. Freeze whole for snacking.