How Long It Would Actually Take To Grow Grapes From Seeds

Grapes are a tasty and nutritious snack any time of year. Available in many varieties and colors, including red, green, purple, and black, among others, it's common knowledge that they lend wine its distinctive flavors. However, when it comes to growing the delicious fruit from scratch, it takes a lot longer than you probably think it would. If you plan to grow grapes from seeds, it could take anywhere from two years up to seven years, depending on the variety you're using and the conditions in which you're growing the fruit. 

Factors like location, light and climate conditions, and lack of maintenance can all contribute to the tasty fruit taking a while to grow (although note that some types are naturally slow growers). If the lengthy amount of time they can take to bloom hasn't put you off from growing your own grapes, here's all you need to know about creating a bountiful and delicious grape harvest in your backyard. 

To begin growing your own grapes, you'll need to pick a type. The two main categories of grapes are dessert grapes and wine grapes, but there are many sub-genres of grapes within these two categories. Wine grapes are typically only grown to make, you guessed it, wine, and come in lots of flavors. They typically aren't as good to eat because they contain lots of seeds and don't have soft skin like dessert grapes. Dessert grapes (also sometimes called table grapes) are typically the ones you buy in the store. 

If you live in a cooler climate, you'll likely need to grow grapes in a temperature-controlled environment like a greenhouse for best results, as grapes are plants that thrive in warm climates. When picking grape seeds, always opt for those from the store rather than trying to germinate your own from pre-bought grapes. The latter aren't likely to germinate well and will only slow down your growing journey. Another way of improving your chances of flourishing grapes is to pick a seeded variety over seedless, though you should also choose a type you want to eat yourself so that you can reap the benefits of planning your own fruit orchard.

The very first step to growing grapes is to add your seeds to some water and leave them for 24 hours. After this, pour the seeds into a container with a lid and add some damp peat moss. A good measurement is around a tablespoon of peat moss for every 50 seeds. Put the seeds in your fridge (the temperature should be around 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and leave them for three months. Yes, you read that right. It may seem like a long time, but this step, called stratification, is essential to ensure your seeds will germinate. Next, plant the seeds in a seed-starting mix, preferably with drainage holes. The mix should remain moist but not overly wet.

A grow light will also help to expedite the process. When you begin to see results, move the seedlings into pots around 4 inches deep and then into a larger pot as the seedlings grow. You can plant outside after the last frost in your area has passed. Opt for well-draining soil and for an area that gets lots of sunlight. As for watering, do this on a weekly basis, depending on how much rain you have had. You can also use fertilizer if the vines don't look their best. Growing grapes from scratch can be time-consuming but also very rewarding if you have the patience — just don't lose hope if your seedlings literally take years to produce grapes.