i just got my vines and i am wondering how to prepare my soil i have sandy/clay soil that packs like cement when it dries.
I haven't checked the soil pH yet I will either get a soil tester or bring it to my extension agent fortunately we have A&M agricultural close to me
If you are in a zone close to mine and you are growing concord grapes i would be VERY interested in hearing from you
Concords grown in zone 5 here in Western PA.
If your soil is sand and clay and packs hard, you really need to mix in a lot of topsoil so the roots can spread and the plants can feed.
See your extensions agent for tips on growing things in your local area. They can give you the best advice for your soil.
Grapes will tolerate most soils but they need a location well drained and full sun (southern facing slopes , south side of buildings and windbreaks)....they do not tolerarate soil PH outside of this range 5.5 to 7.8 ... any soil ph outside of these numbers will need to be corrected . Your biggest concern should be to the learn the correct pruning methods for producing fruit , do it the wrong way and mostly what you get are a lot of non producing shoots. Read up on this and start out the right foot and your vines should produce well for you .
Grapes grow from the subsoil, so topsoil is of no concern to them.
I am in zone 6b have about 100ft of concord grapes in ph 7.5-8 soil and they are growin like mad.
