Delicious Grapes
Summer Gardening Tips
Colorful petunias will brighten up any flower bed. Their purples, pinks, and reds make a real splash when planted in groups of the same color.
Prune rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas to shape them now. If you wait much longer, you will be cutting off next year’s flowers.
Start seeds of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other cool-season crops now. Transplant them to the garden next month, and they will be producing for you this fall.
Roses need water and fertilizer to keep blooming well throughout the summer. Watch for pests and treat immediately to prevent infestations.
Feed annual blooming plants and hanging baskets every two weeks for prolific bloom. Keep dead flowers pinched off.
Grapes for the Willits Area
Local grape grower and aficionado Richard Jeske is offering a dozen varieties that do particularly well in the Willits area. Most are American grapes rather than European grapes.
- American grapes have a looser skin that slips off the grape more easily, with soft flesh and a distinctive aroma and flavor. They are hardier, resistant to many insects and diseases (e.g., powdery mildew), and mature earlier in the season, ripening well in milder climates.
- European grapes usually require a long, warm growing season and have firm fruit with nonslip skin and a smooth flavor.
- Hybrids are crosses between the two types.
Grapes can also be seeded or seedless. Many people prefer seedless grapes for fresh eating, but many of the best-tasting varieties have seeds. The seeds are nutritious.
Recommended Grape Varieties
- Himrod: A white, seedless grape that is dependable and delicious. Very productive; use fresh or for raisins.
- Venus: A blue grape that hangs in large, beautiful bunches. Vigorous and productive; good fresh and for juice.
- Glenora: A seedless blue grape with small grapes like blueberries. Delicious for fresh eating.
- Reliance: A productive red grape that ripens over a long season. Very dependable; eat fresh or dry for raisins.
- Delight: The most popular European, seedless grape in this collection. A white grape similar to Perlette but with more flavor; eat fresh or dry for raisins.
- Sweet Seduction: An appealing white grape with outstanding muscat flavor. A favorite in taste tests; good for raisins and juice.
- Concord: A classic seeded grape, well-suited to the area.
- Muscat grapes:
- Golden Muscat: A long-time favorite for home gardeners. This white grape is sweet, juicy, and a heavy producer.
- New York Muscat: A blue grape with outstanding flavor; use fresh or for juice or wine.
- Muscat St. Vallier: A white muscat with great muscat taste.
- Seneca: One of the first grapes of the season. A mouth-watering white, seeded grape; delicious fresh or for juice.
- Suavis: A later-season red, European grape with a unique and delicious flavor. Use fresh or for juice or wine.
Grapes are a wonderful fruit for the home garden. They are easy to grow and very productive. Protect your crop from birds and other critters to enjoy the delicious tastes of summer.