Mike and I were born and raised in Arkansas, where there were always plenty of muscadine trees (muscadine grapes) growing in the woods or along the country roads. In fact, if we had $1 for every Musada we ate as kids, we’d be somewhere between Elon Musk and Donald Trump in terms of wealth. But, unfortunately, all we got from eating it was delicious dessert… and no money.
They grow well (and continue to grow well) in Arkansas because of the heat, which can easily reach 100 degrees F in the summer, and high humidity, which can range from 60% to 90% or more. The muscadines we ate were black (I now know they are called noble muscadines). However, as I’ve learned over the years, a wide variety of muscadines grow in the southeastern United States (neither of us traveled the world as kids, so we only grew black muscadines. We knew that). I didn’t know that different varieties are used to make wine, jams and jellies.
Muscadine origin
The first documented references to muscadines date back to the 16th century when Spanish explorers discovered the grape in the Carolinas and other parts of the Southeast.
Muscadines are closely related to other wild grape species found in North America. However, they are thought to have evolved in response to the hot and humid climate of the Southeast, and have developed unique traits that allow them to thrive in such an environment.
Since then, muscadine has been cultivated and developed into different cultivars with different flavours, textures and growth characteristics.
Preparing the soil for muscadines
The fact that muscadine has been grown wild for centuries and still tastes good, even without care, water and fertilizer, suggests that by providing adequate nutrients and water, you can grow it wild. How can I be superior to those who live within me?
The first step in preparing to plant anything is to find a suitable location and prepare the soil. Muscadines need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive and set fruit. They prefer well-drained soil with an optimal pH range between 5.5 and 6.5.
It is important to test the soil pH before planting muscadines to determine if any amendments are needed. You can purchase a soil pH testing kit at almost any garden center or order it online. If the pH is too low or too acidic, add lime to raise the pH.
Muscadines are sensitive to soil pH levels that are too high or too low, which may affect their ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Maintaining ideal pH levels ensures that muscadines have the proper growth to thrive and produce healthy, delicious fruit.
After determining the soil pH and before planting, you can prepare the soil further by removing any weeds or rocks and adding organic matter such as compost or aged manure. This will help improve soil quality and provide the nutrients the muscadine needs to grow.
Take muscadine cuttings
Generally, muscadines are grown from cuttings taken from mature plants, so here are some guidelines for taking cuttings:
Choose a mature, healthy muscadine vine to take cuttings from. Try to find a vine that has produced lots of fruit, healthy leaves, and vigorous growth.
Take cuttings from the vine in late fall or early winter after the vine has become dormant. Cut 6-8 inch long sections of the vine using sharp pruning shears or a knife. Each cutting should have at least two nodules (spots on the stem where leaves grow).
Remove the leaves from the bottom of each cutting, leaving just a few leaves near the top. Dip the cut end of each cutting into rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth.
Bury the cuttings about half their length in well-draining soil in a prepared container or planting bed, leaving the tips of the leaves above the soil surface. Make sure the soil is moist but not wet.
Keep the soil moist and protect the cutting from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Within a few weeks, you should see new growth on the cuttings, indicating that they have rooted successfully.
Once the cuttings have developed strong roots and new growth, they can be transplanted to their permanent location in the garden.
Planting Muscadine Vines
Muscadine vines are very hardy and can survive in a variety of soil types and climates. It is also resistant to many pests and diseases, making it relatively low maintenance compared to other fruit crops. So, to save time, you can buy muscadines from a nursery.
When you buy muscadine vines from a nursery, you’re usually getting a bare-rooted plant or a container-grown plant. Bare-root plants have no soil around their roots, are dormant and must be soaked in water for several hours before planting. This will help hydrate the roots and prepare them for planting. Container-grown plants are sold in pots with soil around the roots and can be planted immediately.
If so, you will prepare the ground as described above, then:
Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball (or the area of the plant with bare roots) and plant the vine so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Water the vine well after planting.
Because they are vigorous growers, muscadines need some support to climb. You can use trellises, arbors, or plant vines near fences or other structures.
Muscadines require regular watering, especially during dry periods. It also benefits from regular fertilization with balanced fertilizers. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label for best results.
To control their growth and promote fruit production, they should be pruned every year in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Muscadines typically ripen in late summer to early fall and are ready to harvest when the fruit is fully ripe and rich in color.
Don’t expect to see any fruit the first year after planting, as the vines focus their energy on creating a strong root system and new growth. However, in the second and third years, the vines continue to grow, mature and produce more fruit.
Muscadine vines typically begin to produce some fruit 2-3 years after planting, although the amount of fruit may not be significant until the vines are several years old. Then, as the vines mature, they can produce larger, more abundant fruit crops.
