Grapevines and a flat yard. OK to mound into raised beds?

11 years ago

Hello,
I started two rows of wine grapes in our backyard this Summer and have a question about burying the trunks of the vines.
It's a flat yard with some low spots so the plan is, instead of pulling up all of the vines and starting over, I'd like to build up the area with dirt mounding.
Can I simply raise the dirt level between rows a few inches and several inches around the vines?

Thanks for the assistance,
Robert

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Comments (6)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Though I'm not at all sure what your intentions are, it doesn't sound like a good idea. I'm picturing your vines being buried by several inches of soil....or surrounded by high moundsof soil, putting them in a pit. What do I have wrong?

I suggest that the Fruits and Orchards Forum might be a better place for your question. C'mon, I'll take you over there! Lots of good people in that forum who may be able to help you figure things out.
robert_snelson
Original Author
11 years ago
They are currently on flat ground I want to raise the surrounding area, from the vine outward. I will see what the other group suggests as you pointed out. Thanks!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
on most things... trunks are made to be dry .. in the air ... not in the ground ... and constantly moist...

there are a few things.. like tomatoes.. that dont care ...

mounding wouldnt be bad.. but you dig the plant out first.. make your mound ... and then replant at the proper height ...

for as much work as you are going to do.. with hauling soil .... popping them out of the ground is extremely minor... and i dont know why you would skip such... for the minute or two.. it would take to lift them properly ...

confirm such in the fruit forum ... maybe grape is one of the exceptions... let us know

ken
ronalawn82
11 years ago
Robert_snelson, I am unsure. Long ago and far away, the recommendations were to grow grape vines along a 3- or 4- strand wire fence and to "mould up" the base of the vines. This cultural practice was recommended to shed water during times of heavy rainfall.

I looked at this LINK and it seems to suggest that mounding up does no harm. However, what starts out as a "vine" (green and succulent) will eventually become a "trunk" (lignin, suberin etc); in which case I would be very cautious with mounding up.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
It still sounds to me like the plants will be located in a pit, with the surrounding ground being mounded up around the plants.........the trunk and root system being located in a depression, all the water flowing down to that lowest point.

Am I missing something, or reading into it?
ronalawn82
11 years ago
Robert_snelson, "...so the plan is, instead of pulling up all of the vines and starting over..." It sounds as if you want to reap successive crops off the same vine(s). I believe that this is the normal (commercial) culture. This LINK does mention mulching - but as a moisture conserving practice.