Focus on… Dessert grapes
PRODUCING homegrown table grapes sounds like the height of decadence, but is it possible? Trust me, if you grow the right variety and you practise sound growing techniques, then the answer will be a resounding ‘yes’.
For the past six years, I have been curator of two mature dessert vines in a vast Victorian lean-to greenhouse: what a treat! That said, there have been pitfalls and lessons learnt, as well as triumphs. Let me share them.
The roots are planted outside, then the stem is trained inside – this gives far easier maintenance than if they were totally under glass (even though that might give earlier harvests due to warm roots). I simply top up gaps in rainfall via a good soak with the hosepipe.
“There are plenty of outdoor options to choose from”
Both grapes are trained using the ‘rod and spur’ system. Around four rods per
