Are My Grapes Ready to Harvest?
This is the time of the year that I keep hearing the question "When do I harvest my grapes?" Or sometimes the question is phrased "Are my grapes ripe yet?" And then there's the "Are they ready yet?"
Yes, it's that time of the year when grapes are turning color and homeowners are thinking about when their grapes will be harvested. But many homeowners think that when the color turns, the grapes are ready to eat. They pick a few colored berries and pop them in their mouths only to find that there is very little flavor and a puckering feeling hits their pallets.
Just because the color has turned on your grapes, it doesn't mean they're ripe. Generally speaking, grapes need one to three weeks after turning color to be considered ripe for harvest. But this time frame is dependent upon many factors including the variety, what the grapes are to be used for, and environmental conditions like the weather.
The grape variety has a lot to do with how quickly the grapes will ripen. Varieties are classified as early, mid-season, and late depending on how many days it takes for the grapes to go from full bloom of the flowers to harvest ripeness (Usually compared to the Concord variety). It should be obvious that early varieties will ripen fast and be picked much earlier than late varieties. If you grow a variety that is considered late in an area with a short growing season of less than 170 days, the grapes will never get totally ripe.
What you are going to use the grapes for goes hand-in-hand with the variety. Each variety has been bred for specific uses. Some are table grapes. These are used for eating. There are jam and juice grapes. And then there are wine grapes. Each are harvested by sugar content and acidity.
Table grapes don't need as much sugar as wine grapes to be considered ripe. They usually reach between 16 and 18 percent sugar before they are ready to harvest. For the homeowner with grapes in the backyard or garden this is hard to measure. But since you are going to eat them, you only need to taste the grapes to determine if they are ready. The flavor components are as important as the sugar level of the grapes. When they get to the point where you think they taste good, then pick them.
Be sure to taste more than one berry to determine this though. Not all grape berries are ripe at the same time. Berries in different parts of the cluster ripen at slightly different times. Clusters don't all ripen at the same time either. Clusters in the sunshine ripen quicker than those that are shaded. Clusters towards the base of the shoot ripen earlier than those towards the tip of the shoot.
Wine grapes need more sugar to produce a higher alcohol content when fermented. Grape growers like wine grapes to reach 20 - 24 percent sugar ideally. Here again, this is variety dependent. Acidity is also important when considering the ripeness of wine grapes. Too high acidity will make the wine taste acidic and bitter and too low will make the wine flat.
If you are growing grapes to make wine, you might want to invest in an instrument called a refractometer to measure the sugar content of your grapes. This tool makes it easy to find out how much sugar is in one or more berries. The juice of the berries is squeezed onto the refractometer plate, the plate is closed, and then by holding the instrument towards the light you can look into the eyepiece and see what the sugar reading is.
A less expensive means is to use a hygrometer. You need at least 50 berries to determine the sugar content by this method though. Hygrometers are more accurate than a refractometer and that's the trade-off. The hygrometer is floated in the grape juice obtained by squeezing the berries and the sugar content is read off the scale in the neck of the hygrometer.
Acidity can be measured by the titration method. But this is more in the realm of the chemist than the hobby grape grower. Because the pH of the juice is related to the acidity, it is more convenient for the small grower to use a portable "pH pen". A pH of between 3.00 and 3.55 generally indicates that the acidity of the grapes is in the for making wine. This also will depend on the variety.
The seeds of the grape berry are also an indication of ripeness. If the seeds are green or light tan, the grapes are usually not ripe. Ripe grapes have brown, mature seeds. Along with this, the ease with which the berries can be pulled off the cluster also can indicate degrees of ripeness. Ripe grape berries can be pulled from the cluster with little resistance.
Birds, raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife that like to eat grapes can also be an indicator that your grapes are ripening and ready for harvest. These pests will harvest and eat your grapes as soon as they are ripe. Of course, you don't want to allow them to eat your grapes before you have a chance to harvest them. Bird netting and fences are needed to keep these pests at bay and allow only you to have the pleasure of your grape crop.
There are many fine books on growing grapes. If you want more information on how to grow grapes in your backyard or garden you can find my selection of suggested books at: http://www.ristcanyonvineyards.com/grape_growing_books.html
More information on growing grapes (especially under marginal conditions where grapes are not usually found growing), can be found at Jim's website. Just visit: http://www.ristcanyonvineyards.com
 Google News Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:51:33 GMT Fantastic finishes: 5 NFL games down to the wire - Washington Post
Washington Post - Dallas Cowboys' Mat McBriar (1) has his punt blocked by Arizona Cardinals' Sean Morey as Monty Beisel (52) looks on during overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. Blocked punt downs Dallas Backups Burst Through Line and Lift Cardinals in Overtime Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:15:50 GMT Forecast: Summery Sunshine Sticks Around - Washington Post
Washington Post - Columbus Day will feel a lot more like Labor Day as temperatures climb to around 80 degrees. This unseasonably warm weather will continue for the next several days. Enjoy a warm, sunny Columbus Day Beautiful start to the work week Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:03:26 GMT UK government takes stake in three banks - CNN International
CNN International - LONDON, England (CNN) -- The British government on Monday said it would make a multi-billion investment in three of the country's major banks to help them through the "first financial crisis of the global age. In quotes: Bank bail-out reaction TEXT-Lloyds TSB terms for acquisition of HBOS Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:18:47 GMT 1.5 million G1 Android phones pre-ordered - TG Daily
TG Daily - By Wolfgang Gruener Chicago (IL) - T-Mobile’s upcoming G1 may not be the best-looking iPhone rival, it may not have the most complete feature set and T-Mobile may have undersold the device at the recent launch event. Get ready for next-gen mobile HTC G1 Android Phone Racks up 1.5 Million Pre-orders Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:21:21 GMT European, Asian markets bounce back - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - LONDON (AP) - European markets opened strongly Monday following Asia's lead in response to the widespread government efforts over the weekend to shore up the world's troubled financial system. The financial crisis A light at the end of the tunnel? World stock markets welcome European bank rescue Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:23:04 GMT Manatee dies before reaching rehab site - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - By Emily Canal After a 27-hour trip to Florida, Dennis the manatee, rescued from the frigid waters of Cape Cod, died in Orlando yesterday as SeaWorld employees carted the mammal to a rehabilitation center. Video: Rescued Manatee Dies After Mass. Rescue Manatee rescued off Cape Cod dies en route to Florida Sea World Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:21:21 GMT Dodgers stand up to Phillies in Game 3 win - FOXSports.com
FOXSports.com - by Ken Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. LA revitalized at Moyer's expense Kuroda's pitch serves its purpose for Dodgers Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:00:36 GMT Legitimate Work From Home Jobs |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Severe environmental stressors are the most frequent causes of sudden... Read More Bird watching brings enjoyment to many people. Selecting and correct... Read More When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions.... Read More All good things eventually come to an end and so... Read More Part Two in a SeriesOnce you have your landscape design... Read More What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The... Read More Summer is the most enjoyable water gardening season and the... Read More Flowers can be an integral part of cooking. While most... Read More Rising from a muddy pond, a lotus flower blossoms. Such... Read More The technnology secrets will help home owners maintain lawns in... Read More Landscape paintings are a beautiful way to spruce up the... Read More There is simply no better vantage point from which to... Read More I made my very first garden when I was six... Read More Now we are fast approaching the hottest time of the... Read More Don't force yourself out of the most profitable hobby in... Read More Keeping Your Soil HealthyYour soil is the most important part... Read More Having an ample supply of good rich compost is the... Read More A garden fountain can add beauty and serenity to you... Read More Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden... Read More Solar lights are very popular for lighting yards and gardens.... Read More The Basics of Hydroponics Gardening.What is hydroponics gardening?Derived from the... Read More If you enjoy making your yard as beautiful as it... Read More If your fish hang out at the bottom of the... Read More Teak furniture is tropical hardwood that has a rich, golden... Read More A wild flower garden, just like any garden you wish... Read More
Adsense
websites
Maintaining Oxygen Levels in Fish and KOI Ponds
For the Birds: Selecting and Placing a Bird House
Understanding Weeds - But mostly How to Kill em
Closing Up Your Container Garden
Laying Out Your Landscape Part Two
Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are?
Hot Feeding Tips
Edible Flowers in Your Garden
Fleur De Lotus: Purity in a Sullied World
Professional Lawn Watering Techniques - Wireless Sensors for Lawns in Drought Areas
Choosing the Perfect Landscape Painting
An Outdoor Swing is A Great Way to Relax
Garden Fencing
Gardening Tips for Early - Mid July
Gardening - Natural Science NOT Rocket Science
Chicken Soup for the Soil
Composting the Easy Way
Tranquility in Your Own Back Yard
Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit
Solar Garden Lights
Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners
The Benefits of Using Landscape Software
Lazy Fish Worries
Teak Furniture - The Proper Way to Care For & Clean It
Wild Flower Garden - Make Amends...Your Plants Will Love It
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Beauty With Indigenous Species
A garden a serves a man's every day need for... Read More
Growing Tomatoes Organically
Tomato Seeds Vs. Tomato Seedlings?Whether you start your own tomato... Read More
Letting Nature Grow Your Garden
It is wisest to let Nature have Her way. Nature... Read More
Why You Should Always Have Garden Furniture
You've put a lot of work into your garden, from... Read More
The Swallowtail -- A Beautiful Butterfly
Swallowtail butterflies are some of the most beautiful butterflies found... Read More
How to Grow Blueberries
Along with lip-smacking sweetness, flower and foliage are also worthy... Read More
Pruning Roses Secrets
Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and... Read More
The String Algae Blues
Now that Spring is upon us and things are coming... Read More
Winter Gardening Looking Towards Spring
Ok, the title "winter gardening" might be a tad bit... Read More
Unique Flowers make a memorable gift!
Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral... Read More
Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Come to My Garden
Ladybugs, also called lady beetles or ladybirds, can be a... Read More
Teak Furniture - The Proper Way to Care For & Clean It
Teak furniture is tropical hardwood that has a rich, golden... Read More
Tips On Caring For Your Cut Flowers
Imagine it's a special occasion and you've just received a... Read More
How to Grow Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial plant with erect, edible stems and... Read More
Want a Garden but Not Enough Room or Soil? Then Hydroponics Gardening could be for You
Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More
Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs
Long a favourite of French chefs, the herb Artemisia dracunculus,... Read More
Store Your Outdoor Furnishings to Make Them Last
In many parts of North America, the end of "porch... Read More
Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (Part 3) Lighting
THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.An Introduction To Indoor Plant Grow Lights.There... Read More
Compost YES, Epsom Salts NO
You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More
Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Heres What to Do
Tips for winter care of trees and shrubsWith the garden... Read More
Landscape Wallpaper
Landscape wallpaper can be a great addition to your computer's... Read More
Who Sells Flower Bulbs?
Flower bulbs offer some of the most distinctive, unusual flowers... Read More
A Rose is a Rose?
There are many varied definitions of what each color of... Read More
Dream Yard
Do you ever dream about what your yard could look... Read More
Tips on How to Plant Roses
When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |