SKU: 00840369419798 2 Catawba Grape Vines, Bareroot good sized roots!

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Vigorous, deciduous climbing vine that grows by twining tendrils and requires sturdy support such as a trellis, arbor, fence, or pergola.
• Bloom Color: Small clusters of greenish-white flowers produced in late spring.
• Fragrance: Light, sweet floral fragrance during bloom.
• Fruit Flavor: Sweet, juicy, aromatic grapes with the classic American grape flavor, balanced acidity, and a pleasant slip-skin texture.
• Culinary Uses: Excellent for fresh eating, homemade jelly, jams, juice, pies, sauces, syrups, wine, sparkling wine, rosé wine, and freezing. Young grape leaves are edible and commonly used for stuffed grape leaf recipes.
• Medicinal Uses: Grapes are naturally rich in antioxidants including resveratrol and anthocyanins, along with vitamins C and K and dietary fiber, making them a nutritious addition to a healthy diet. They are cultivated primarily for culinary use rather than medicinal purposes.
• Possible Toxicity: The fruit and leaves are safe for human consumption. Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and may cause severe kidney failure. Cats are less commonly affected but should also be prevented from consuming grapes or raisins.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinators. Ripening fruit attracts birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and deer, so protective netting may be necessary. Displays good cold hardiness and moderate resistance to many common grape diseases but should still be monitored for black rot, powdery mildew, downy mildew, grape berry moth, and Japanese beetles.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 4–8.
• Sun Preferences: Full sun with 6–8 or more hours of direct sunlight daily for the highest fruit quality and sugar production.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Consistent watering during flowering and fruit development produces larger, juicier grapes.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 12–20 feet long with a spread of 4–8 feet, depending on pruning and training.

When and How to Prune

• Prune annually during late winter while the vine is dormant, before buds begin to swell.
• Grapes are produced on new shoots that develop from one-year-old canes, making yearly pruning essential for high yields.
• Remove 80–90% of the previous season's growth to encourage vigorous new fruiting canes.
• Retain healthy canes or renewal spurs according to your preferred training system.
• Remove dead, damaged, diseased, weak, or tangled vines whenever necessary.
• Lightly trim excessive leafy growth during summer if needed to improve sunlight exposure and air circulation around fruit clusters.

Planting Instructions (Bareroot into the Ground)

1. Plant bareroot grape vines in late winter or early spring while they remain dormant.
2. Soak the roots in clean water for 2–4 hours before planting.
3. Select a location with fertile, well-drained soil and full sun.
4. Install a sturdy trellis, arbor, fence, or support system before planting.
5. Dig a hole wide enough to comfortably spread the roots without bending them.
6. Position the vine so the crown sits at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
7. Spread the roots naturally and backfill with native soil, gently firming to eliminate air pockets.
8. Water thoroughly after planting.
9. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch, keeping mulch several inches away from the stem.
10. Space vines 6–8 feet apart to promote healthy airflow and vigorous growth.

Overwintering Steps

• Catawba Grape Vines are hardy in USDA Zones 4–8 and generally require minimal winter protection after establishment.
• Water deeply during dry autumn weather before the ground freezes.
• Apply a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone after the first hard frost to insulate the roots and reduce freeze-thaw stress.
• Remove fallen leaves, mummified fruit, and other debris after harvest to minimize overwintering pests and diseases.
• Delay major pruning until late winter while the vine remains fully dormant.
• Inspect and repair trellises, wires, and support structures during winter before spring growth begins.
• In colder climates, young vines may benefit from extra mulch around the base during their first one or two winters.

With its vigorous vines, fragrant spring blossoms, and abundant clusters of sweet, rosy-red grapes, Catawba Grape Vine is a classic favorite for home vineyards and edible landscapes. Whether enjoyed fresh from the vine, transformed into homemade jelly or juice, or crafted into exceptional wines, this heirloom variety offers outstanding flavor, dependable harvests, and ornamental beauty for generations of gardeners.