Alachua Muscadine Grape

Where to Plant

• Sunlight: Provide at least 6 to 8 hours of direct, full sun daily. While the vine can grow in partial shade, you will see a significant drop in fruit production and sugar content because the sun is the engine that drives sweetness.
• Soil: This grape thrives in well drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. If you have heavy clay, plant in a raised mound to prevent wet feet, as Muscadines are prone to root rot in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years of establishment, provide 1 inch of water per week to help the deep root system take hold. Once mature, the Alachua variety is quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering during fruit swell can lead to skin cracking or smaller berries. Focus your irrigation at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and minimize fungal issues.

Pruning Tips

Muscadine grapes bloom on new wood that grows from the previous season's buds. Prune in late winter while the vine is dormant by cutting back the previous year's lateral shoots to short spurs about 2 to 4 inches long. Think of it like a yearly haircut that prevents the vine from becoming a tangled mess and forces the plant to put its energy into high quality fruit rather than excessive leafy growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring as new growth appears and again in early summer. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers late in the season because this encourages tender green growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. This late season "soft" growth makes the vine vulnerable to winter kill even in milder climates.