Growing Grapes In Phoenix Arizona

Photo
The grape vine on the right is a Flame Seedless variety. It is growing on an east facing wall so it receives full sun in the morning and afternoon shade. A wooden trellis has been attached to the wall to give the grape something to climb.

This grape vine is planted in the grass where it only receives water from the sprinklers. The grass is trimmed up to the base of the grape vine, and care is taken to not ding the base of the vine when mowing the lawn. This vine has never been fertilized and yet grows vigorously.

Flame seedless grapes are ready to be picked in the middle of June and are an excellent variety for the Phoenix Arizona area.

Overview
Grapes grow very well in the lower desert, and are even grown commercially on a small scale. They do best with a fair amount of direct sun and regular water and can take the summer heat and winter cold. European grape varieties with high heat requirements are recommended.

Fruit
The best grape varieties for the Phoenix area are in the European class (Vitis vinifera). Flame seedless grapes and Thompson seedless grapes are both in this class and the plants can easily be found for sale locally. The lower desert summer heat encourages these varieties to produce lots of sugar creating a wonderfully sweet flavor.

For a home gardener, a grape vine can be allowed to sprawl out on a trellis, fence, or wall and over time fruit will be produced. The grape enthusiast will want to maximize yield by pruning the vine. More information on grape vine pruning can be found at the following links. Both Flame Seedless and Thompson Seedless grapes should be cane pruned.

Pruning Grapevines

Pruning Grapes In Home Gardens

Heat Tolerance and Sun Exposure
Grape vines need at least a half day of direct sun to grow well and produce. They take the oven like heat of summer afternoons in the Phoenix area very well as long as they have adequate water.

Cold Tolerance
European grapes are hardy down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit so there are no concerns about frost damage in Phoenix Arizona. Grape vines are deciduous, so they will be leafless and dormant during winter.

Watering frequency
Grape vines do well on a grass watering schedule.

Watering method
Basin, flood, or sprinkler irrigation are suitable for grape vines.

Planting
Dig a hole at least twice the size of the rootball. At a minimum, make the hole 2 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep. Work in a 50/50 mix of compost to soil. Be sure to mix the compost and soil as thoroughly as possible. It also is a good idea to finish with the hole an inch or two recessed so that a watering basin is formed. Bare root plants should be planted during winter when they are dormant.

Fertilizing and Growth Rate
Grape vines grow vigously with little to no fertilizer. If fertilizer is used, use a type that is low in nitrogen and preferably a water soluble or slow release variety.

Propagation
Grapes are propagated by cuttings and grafting and will not come true from seed.

Pests
Grape Leaf Skeletonizers are a problem in the lower desert. They seem to appear in September when other caterpillar activity is also high. If one has just a few grape vines, the easiest control is manual squishing. I have not found the catepillars hairs to be a problem and squish them with bare hands using a finger tip rolling motion. However, I avoid touching my face and eyes and other more sensitive skin until I have washed off my hands well. About a week of 20 minute a day search and destroy missions is enough to make them all but disappear. I must admit that the adult form is quite beautiful.

Links to more grape growing information

Growing Grapes in Arizona Growing Grapes in Your Home Garden Growing Grapes in New Mexico