Grapes prefer a light, moderately fertile soil but if drainage is good they will grow anywhere. Very fertile soils tend to produce excessive plant vigour, for no gain in fruit quality. Heavy clay soils will need to be drained. A yearly application of lime and general garden fertiliser will also help. Grapes do not like wet feet. When planting out your new vine, trim the roots if they are badly matted. Water well over the first summer to establish the plant.

PRUNING AND THE FIRST THREE YEARS:

Grow vine on a pergola frame, a simple wire trellis, or against a fence. Shelter from strong winds. Vines can be grown about 2m apart, meaning that different varieties can be grown in a small space. You won't get a proper crop until the third year. Protect from the birds with bird-netting. Vigorous vines may need to be pruned during summer to control growth. This is done by cutting laterals back to 5-6 buds above your fruit. Regular cropping is assisted by pruning on leaf fall.

SPRAYS:

Spray for downy mildew two weeks after bud burst, at two-weekly intervals, with Yates Champ DP or Copper Oxychloride. After flower and fruit set, spray for both downy and powdery mildew using Yates Bravo or Greenguard at two-weekly intervals. After flowering, when fruit has set, remove the lowest 2-3leaves around the fruit improve air circulation and assist spray coverage. Be particularly vigilant in your spray program from late November through to early January, mildews thrive in humidity. Vines are also prone to mildews at this time of the year because of the rapid, soft growth that they produce. When fruit reach their mature size (around late Jan), they develop a degree of resistance to infection, and less sprays are needed. If mealy bugs and/or thrips are a problem use Yates Confidor.