How to Transplant Grapevines

Grapevines produce heavy stems that quickly spread when planted in a sunny, well-drained location. For that reason, a grapevine may quickly outgrow a small spot in your garden. The younger the grapevine is, the greater the chance that you can successfully transplant it to a new spot. When you need to move a grapevine, follow some simple techniques to reduce the shock to the plant and and increase its chances of survival.

Things You'll Need

• Long spade
• Pruning shears (or nippers)
• Compost
• Vitamin B-1 solution
• Support structure (fence or arbor)

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Instructions

• 1

  Transplant a grapevine in early spring, before the new leaves appear.

• 2

  Prune the old hardwood vines to within 2 feet of the base. Make your pruning cuts just on the outside of a stem node. This will encourage new growth from the node.

• 3

  Choose a good spot for your grapevine. Grapes need full sun in order to grow vigorously and produce an abundance of fruit. For the best results, pick a spot with well-drained soil beside a fence that runs north and south. The fence should be made of sturdy chain link or well-spaced pickets. A solid fence will restrict sunshine for at least part of the day.

• 4

  Prepare the new hole before you dig up the grapevine. A hole 2 feet in diameter is a good size. Dig to a depth of 2 feet or more. Fill the bottom half of the hole with compost or other organic matter.

• 5

  Mix a bucket full of vitamin B-1 solution. B-1 tonic is available from nurseries, or you can make your own by crushing a 100mg B-1 tablet and mixing with water, allowing it to dissolve. Use two tablets for every gallon of water. A typical grapevine will use 4 or 5 gallons of water during the transplanting process.

• 6

  Dig up your old grapevine by driving the spade into the ground approximately 1 foot away from the base. If your grapevine is more than 5 years old, increase the distance to 1-1/2 feet away. Drive the shovel in at a 45-degree angle, slanting inwards under the plant.

• 7

  Lift and transport your grapevine, enlisting the help of an assistant if is very heavy. A wheelbarrow comes in handy here, but you can also place the root ball on a square of burlap and pull it to the new location.

• 8

  Position the root ball in the new hole and pour enough of the vitamin B-1 mixture around it to saturate the compost underneath. Use more compost to pack around the sides of the root ball and pour in more B-1 solution after every few inches of compost.

• 9

  Water your transplanted grapevine every day to encourage new root growth.