Crops › Grape (Table)
How to grow Grape (Table)
in the US
Sow March to November, plant out December, harvest July to October. About 730 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Growing your own grapes, well, it's a bit of a commitment, but proper rewarding in the end. Fresh grapes from your own backyard, it's just cracking, isn't it? They need a bit of space and can look smart trained up a wall or over an arbor, making a feature out of your plot.
Sowing
Grapes are a medium difficulty crop, you know, and they take a good two years or so from seed to fruit. You're usually planting dormant cuttings or young plants, not seeds, which is much easier. If you are starting from seed, get them going indoors in March or April. For zones 3-4, April or May is spot on. Warmer zones, say 8-10, you can start as early as January or February, or even in the fall. Plant them about 1/2 inch (1 cm) deep in good seed starting mix. Keep the soil warm, around 70-75°F (21-24°C), until they sprout.
Growing on
Once your seedlings are big enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Let them grow on a bit, getting sturdy. When all danger of last frost has passed in your area, and the weather's properly warmed up, you can plant them out. Grapes need plenty of sun and good drainage. Give them a good 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) between plants if you're putting in a row, and make sure there's sturdy support like a trellis or arbor for them to climb.
Looking after it
Keep your grapevines watered, especially in dry spells, but don't let them sit in soggy soil. A good mulch around the base helps keep the moisture in and weeds down. Feed them in spring with a balanced fertilizer. Pruning is dead important for grapes, it encourages good fruiting and keeps the plant healthy, but that's a whole video in itself, to be honest.
What goes wrong
Watch out for common pests like Japanese beetles and grape berry moth, they can do some damage to your leaves and fruit. Birds love a ripe grape too, so netting might be a good idea as harvest approaches. Powdery mildew can be a bother in humid conditions; good air circulation helps prevent it. Keep an eye out and deal with issues early, that's my advice.
Harvest
You'll be waiting a good couple of years for your first proper harvest, usually from August through to October, depending on your zone. The grapes are ready when they're fully colored, plump, and taste sweet. Snip off whole bunches with clean shears. Store them in a cool, dry place, or pop them in the fridge if you need to keep them longer. They're cracking fresh, but also make lovely jams or juice.
Don't be scared of pruning your grapes, even if it feels a bit drastic at first. It makes all the difference to your yield, honestly.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Concord A classic American grape, well-known for its deep purple color and distinctive 'foxy' flavor. Great for eating fresh, juice, or preserves, and quite adaptable to many climates. | No club votes yet |
| Niagara This one's a lovely green-gold grape with a sweet, tangy taste that's a real treat. It's a reliable choice for many growers, especially good for making white grape juice or wine. | No club votes yet |
| Himrod A popular seedless green grape, known for its sweet, juicy flesh and tender skin. If you're after a delicious snacking grape that's easy to eat, this is a top choice. | No club votes yet |
| Canadice These red seedless grapes are super sweet and have a lovely crisp texture. They're quite hardy and a good option if you live in a cooler region, making them a reliable performer. | No club votes yet |
| Vanessa Another excellent red seedless grape, Vanessa offers a firm, sweet berry with a pleasing snap. It's a good all-rounder for fresh eating and has decent disease resistance. | No club votes yet |
| Mars A blue-black seedless grape, Mars is famed for its rich, foxy flavor and good cold hardiness. This variety is a strong grower and a good bet for making juice or eating fresh. | No club votes yet |
| Jupiter These dark red, seedless grapes are truly delicious, with a lovely crisp texture and a distinct muscat flavor. Jupiter is a vigorous grower and produces well, making it a good choice for home gardeners. | No club votes yet |
| Saturn A red seedless grape with a firm, sweet flesh and a hint of spiciness, Saturn is a real taste sensation. It ripens mid-season and is a good choice for fresh eating or making into preserves. | No club votes yet |
| Interlaken A very early ripening, small green seedless grape, Interlaken is wonderfully sweet and aromatic. It's an excellent choice if you want to enjoy fresh grapes earlier in the season. | No club votes yet |
| Reliance This red seedless grape is incredibly sweet and tender, almost melting in your mouth. It's known for its excellent cold hardiness, making it a reliable choice for many zones. | No club votes yet |
| Lakemont A productive green seedless grape that offers a sweet, mild flavor and a crisp texture. Lakemont is a good choice for fresh eating and can also be used for juice or wine. | No club votes yet |
| Flame Seedless (warm) A very popular red seedless grape, known for its firm texture and sweet-tart flavor. This variety thrives in warmer climates and is a fantastic choice for eating fresh. | No club votes yet |
| Thompson Seedless (warm) Perhaps the most famous green seedless grape, loved for its crisp, sweet, and juicy berries. It needs a warm, long growing season to really thrive, but the results are worth it. | No club votes yet |
| Autumn Royal (warm) A large, late-season black seedless grape with a firm texture and a wonderfully sweet flavor. This one is perfect for extending your fresh grape season, especially in warmer areas. | No club votes yet |
| Crimson Seedless (warm) These vibrant red seedless grapes are firm, sweet, and store incredibly well. They're a late-ripening variety that does best in warmer climates, offering a long harvest window. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Grape (Table) seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 4 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 5 | March to May | August to October |
| Zone 6 | March to November | July to October |
| Zone 7 | March to November | July to October |
| Zone 8 | February to November | July to November |
| Zone 9 | February to December | June to November |
| Zone 10 | November to February | June to November |
Cook the harvest
A buttery shortcrust pastry shell is filled with fragrant almond cream, then topped with rows of halved table grapes that sink gently into the filling as the tart bakes to golden perfection. The result is an elegant French-inspired dessert that makes exceptional use of fall grape season. A glaze of warmed jam gives the finished tart a beautiful sheen.
70 min · challengingSchiacciata all'uva — the Tuscan harvest bread made with fresh grapes — is the inspiration for this pillowy, olive-oil-rich focaccia studded with whole grapes and topped with fresh rosemary, flaky salt, and a drizzle of honey. The grapes burst as they bake, releasing sweet juices that caramelize into the dimpled dough. It is one of the most surprising and delicious things you can make with fresh table grapes at the height of fall harvest.
45 min · mediumBone-in chicken thighs roasted in a cast-iron skillet with whole grapes, fresh rosemary, and a splash of white wine create a pan sauce that is simultaneously simple and spectacular. The grapes collapse and release their sweet juices as they cook, mingling with the chicken drippings to form a naturally thickened sauce with complex, winelike depth. This one-pan dinner is weeknight easy but dinner-party elegant.
50 min · easyRoasting table grapes concentrates their sweetness and coaxes out a jammy, lightly caramelized quality that pairs beautifully with melted brie. Spooned over crispy baguette crostini, this makes an elegant appetizer that looks impressive but comes together in about twenty-five minutes. A drizzle of honey and a scatter of fresh thyme finish each bite perfectly.
30 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: hyssop, basil, blackberries, clover
Questions people ask
When do you sow Grape (Table) in the US?
Sow Grape (Table) from March to November in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out December, after the last frost.
How long does Grape (Table) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 730 days, with the harvest July to October.
Which Grape (Table) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Concord, Niagara, Himrod, Canadice and more.
Track your Grape (Table) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.