skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Grape varieties good for Jelly - personal experience?

16 years ago

Hello all,

I am going to putting in a couple of grape vines next spring. I am going to be using the grapes primarily for jelly. I've read the threads here and looked at web sites such as Double A Vineyards. I was hoping to get some personal experience from some of you of disease resistant varieties that will work well in my Zone (5). I'm assuming seeded is best.

Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

furo
16 years ago
I have always enjoyed the "old reliable" Concord grape. The vines I have were originally planted by my grandmother. They have been producing for over 50 years. There have been many jars of jelly, juice and grape butter made from them over the years (along with several batches of wine). I recently planted a Niagara and a Catawba but they are still too young to produce much. If I could have only one choice and no other it would be Concord.

Woody.
kiwinut
16 years ago
Plant 'Alwood' instead of 'Concord'. It has a good fruity Concord-like flavor, but is much more resistant to black rot than 'Concord'.
Related Discussions
Cedar Waxwings eating grape jelly
Q
Comments (14)
I never have used frozen fruits. I suspect the Orioles and / or Waxwings responsible for taking our blueberries, strawberries and raspberries before WE can get to them. They like our pears too. :-) For offering jelly we use a shallow dish, like the kind you would put under a flower pot so it doesn't spooge water everywhere. Its shallow and heavy enough that they don't flip the thing when they perch on the edge. So how do you give the Orioles nectar? I placed some in a shallow dish and the starlings had a bath in it. LOL! What a sticky mess they made! Then they needed to rinse off in the regular water birdbaths. Would they drink orange juice? C3D
...See More
grape jelly confusion!
Q
Comments (5)
This is the device you would want. The very old Victorio had wooden pusher and had big wing nuts to hold the conical sieves onto the housing, which for grapes can get badly stained wood. The newer models are designed much better. They have been on eBay too, but always choose the type that offer twist on strainers held on with a single small thumb screw. They also have an O ring seal at the crank shaft. The grape spiral is an optional item, as its shorter auger to allow seeds to pass out the end without jamming. I also use the Roma for red raspberries and tomatoes with two sizes of strainer screens. Nothing better than seedless red raspberry jam, that can get all the juices extracted in no time.
...See More
Grapes OK for jelly after frost?
Q
Comments (5)
I've never seen a prohibition on canning any after-frost fruit except tomatoes. Did you see the thread on "table-ripened tomatoes" where Carol posted the details on Penn State's somewhat less restrictive rules on which tomatoes are ok? It seems to relate to end-of-season blight...is there something similar in grapes? The concerns with tomatoes are 1) higher pH, which shouldn't be a problem since grapes start at a much lower pH than tomatoes, and 2) frost-damaged cells can be more susceptible to fungus. I don't know whether that applies to grapes. I hope someone with experience will join in. I can't tell from Ken's reply whether he's ok with canning after the frost or whether he's just talking about concords in general. Melissa
...See More
Picking Concord grapes for jelly
Q
Comments (1)
I make jelly every year from my concord "Fredonia". Fredonia is an early ripening variety that's ready in August instead of Sept/Oct and mine are nowhere near ready yet. Concord can hold at reddish purple for a while before getting that good color in them indicating flavor. Concords taste best when they are dark, blue black and look frosted or dusty like blueberries. Mine get there after a good dose of heat the end of July and August. They will be very full then also. I supplement rain with watering for the next 2 weeks to help and then taper off so they can develop sugars in the heat. Just have a little more patience and you'll have some wonderful full sweet grapes. Good Luck with your jelly.
...See More
salmon1an
16 years ago
I've had good luck with a variety called King of the North. It makes a good flavored jelly and is very hardy, disease resistant and productive.

Valiant is another super hardy grape that is very productive and makes a good tasting jelly and aromatic juice.

Lastly - I've also used Fredonia which has a Concord-like flavor and makes a good jelly.
furo
16 years ago
I guess our vines have been lucky, no disease, only the occasional late freeze and sometimes not enough rain (or too much rain late in the season and split grapes). The only pest seems to be birds and squirrels. We had a late hard freeze this spring and as a result ruined the newly forming buds, so no grapes this year, the late freeze put the hammer on a lot of the vineyards and orchards around here too.
You could probably say that one of the reasons I am partial to these Concords is that they are part of the family now. Lots of good memories associated them. The same is true with the cherry tree, was planted by my grandmother, is over 50 years old too. Don't know the variety, was always just called a pie cherry.
I am sure that whatever variety you choose will be a good one. Have you checked with any of your neighbors to see if they are growing grapes and what variety they grew? They might even give you a sample from their vines (or even a cutting to start your own). Generally folks that grow things are proud of their plants and very willing to share advice, as is exampled in these forums.
Woody.

Related Stories

LIFE The Good House: An Experience to Remember

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

A home that enriches us is more than something we own. It invites meaningful experiences and connections

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sea Grape, a Hardy Coastal Delight

By Steve Asbell

Up to the high-tide line or even indoors, sea grape draws smiles for its looks and cheers for its tenacity

GARDENING GUIDES 6 New Plant Varieties That Beat Out Their Parents

With better resistance and fewer demands, these garden beauties are worth a spot on your wish list

ARCHITECTURE World of Design: A Tokyo Exhibit Experiments With the Future of ‘Home’

By Junko Kawakami

Japan’s architects and housing industry explore new ideas for dwellings that respond to changes in society, tech and the natural world

GARDENING GUIDES The Surprising Ingredients Every Good Garden Should Have

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

See what to do — and not do — for lasting rewards in your landscape

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Explore Your Garden Personality: The Artist

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Drawn to shapes, textures and colors? Let your landscape be your canvas

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Accessibility With Personality in an 1870 Home

By Rikki Snyder

Hand-painted murals and personal touches fill an accessible home with warmth and charm

KITCHEN DESIGN Personal Style: 50 Clever Real-Life Kitchen Design Details

Get ideas from savvy homeowners who have a knack for creating kitchens celebrating personal style

HOLIDAYS Gift Wrap Ideas That Add a Personal Touch

By RedAgape Blog

Give more meaning to your gift giving with these simple but creative designs

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Ways to Create a Romantic Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Delve into a sensual garden design that sings of love and speaks to the senses

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

what is wrong with my indoor mango????

13

Peach variety recommendations, please

2

Small pomegranate for container?

1

No flowers on my apricot tree?

6

Beginner apple tree initial care

0