Planting:  Plant your Victoria Red Ladder Grape in full sun (at least 7-8 hours of sunlight daily) for optimal fruit production. They prefer acidic, well-draining soil. Adding lime and sand can help. They can't withstand temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. For optimal growth, these plants should be planted 8 to 10 feet apart since they tend to stretch.

Watering: Victoria Red Ladder Grape Vines are drought-tolerant and can usually survive on rainfall after the first year. Adjust accordingly if you live in a hot and dry area without good irrigation. When planting new grapevines, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water more or less than twice a week in the first few months, depending on your climate.

Pollination: Most species of grape are self-fertile but a good rule of “green thumb” is to always plant in pairs. Not only will this assure you a healthy yield of fruit but it will also cover the possibility that the grapes need another separate vine for pollination to kick-start the fruiting process.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing helps growth and fruit production, but don't overdo it. Apply the recommended amount at planting and once or twice a year during the growing season. Don't fertilize at the end of the season, or new growth may suffer in colder weather.

Harvesting: Taste is the best determining factor if it’s time to harvest or not. When fruit appears, test its ripeness by picking a few grapes from different areas and tasting them. If the grapes are sweet, start picking as they ready for harvesting and eating.

Tips:

• Grapes will not continue to ripen after picking, so be sure not to pick them prematurely.
• Color and size are not necessarily good indicators of ripe fruit. Only pick the fruit after you’ve tasted it and are certain it is ready.
• Grapes are certainly a multi-purpose fruit, being used for wine, baked goods, jams, and for eating fresh off the vine. A fantastic plant addition for any fruit lover!