Lewy:

I am not the grape expert around here, but I do know that fall is not the time to prune grapevines. Yours are too young to prune anyway, and there will not be much more growth in TN in late September. You mention 5 1/2 hours of sunlight, which is not enough for grapes, but your photo shows quite an open planting area. If at all possible, grapes should be planted in full sun to allow for quick drying and good air circulation. Disease is often the biggest problem with grapes, both on the vines and the fruit. In TN, with anything close to normal rainfall, it should rarely be necessary to water grapevines, especially if they have a little organic mulch around them. You might want to deep water once in an extended period of drought of more than, say, three weeks.

I almost hate to tell you the rest of this, but in all honesty I have to:
Seedless Concord is about the worst possible choice for a grapevine. I had one here for over 10 years, and in all that time got maybe 1/2 dozen clusters, with grapes smaller than standard Concord. Seedless Concord just does not produce, but when I replaced it with a Standard Concord I had lots of grapes within 3-4 years. I took out the Seedless, and predict you will eventually do the same. You might as well it now while the vines are still small and easy to remove. I know this may sound extreme, since you just planted the darn things.

If you want a really fine flavored, productive grape, I suggest you plant Jupiter from the Univ. of Arkansas program. I don't grow Jupiter, but have seen repeated positive comments on this grape from others, here and elsewhere, and not a single negative. All these people can't be too far off the mark.

When, and if, you replant, I would suggest you space the vines a little farther apart -- after all you have the room to do so, and try for maximum sunlight. And I think you may need a little stronger trellis than a few steel posts can provide. I would suggest 4x4 treated posts or any good wooden fencepost.

Now I hope we also hear from some real grape experts, who may have a little different take on things than I do.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Thank you for your honesty. My original plan was a to get a jupiter and a standard concord. The local nursery talked us into the seedless concord as this was the only type they had. Maybe I can just add a jupiter or just start over and go with my original plan. I wish I had a better spot to plant with more sun, but my space is limited. Part of my yard is a low area and has poor drainage. The woods behind my house blocks a lot of sun.

Thanks,
Steve

Don nailed it. It's a travesty that anyone would retail concord seedless. It's that bad. ANYTHING would be better, but Jupiter would be the best

I've grown Concord Seedless for 9 years and it is by far the least productive variety I grow. Don't waste your time with it - get Reliance or Jupiter, which taste great and are much more productive.

Would Mars be one you'd suggest, Mr. Yellman?

Andrew:

I am not really a grape grower, with the exception of one Concord vine, so your guess is as good as mine. My experiments with vinifera grapes failed badly, and they have been gone for years.

I have read some positive info about Mars, and Reliance too, but the most favorable comments are on Jupiter. If I wanted to grow grapes I might plant all three, but if planting only one would choose Jupiter.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA