How to Grow Concord Grape

Concord Grape

Vitis labrusca 'Concord'

vine

Concord grapes are dark purple table grapes known for their bold, musky flavor and slip-skin characteristic, making them easy to eat fresh. This vigorous American grape variety is the classic choice for juice, jams, and fresh eating, with a long history dating back to 1849. The vines are hardy, disease-resistant, and productive, thriving in cooler climates.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily; 8+ hours preferred for best sugar development

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Water: 1 to 1.5 inches per week during growing season; deep, infrequent watering is preferable to frequent shallow watering. Reduce watering after fruit sets to concentrate sugars. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

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Spacing: 48-96 inches

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Days to maturity: 150-180 days from budbreak to harvest; 2-3 years before first substantial fruit

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Planting depth: Bare root vines planted 2 inches deeper than nursery soil line; transplants planted at same depth as pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility

pH: 5.5-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure sulfur if pH is too high

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 4-8; best in cooler climates with cold winters

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

Growth Stages

Dormancy & Bud Break

Winter through early spring; 1-2 weeks for bud break

Bare canes with dormant buds; buds swell and break in spring with fuzzy shoots emerging

Prune during dormancy (late winter). Remove winter damage. Apply dormant oil spray if needed. Provide sturdy trellis system.

Shoot & Leaf Growth

Spring through early summer; 6-8 weeks

Vigorous green shoots develop leaves; tendrils and lateral shoots form along the cane

Train shoots onto trellis system early. Remove weak or competing shoots. Monitor for powdery mildew. Water consistently.

Flowering & Fruit Set

Early to mid-summer; 3-4 weeks

Small inconspicuous green flower clusters appear; flowers self-pollinate and berries begin forming

Thin clusters if overcrowded to promote larger fruit. Avoid excessive nitrogen to prevent vegetative growth. Monitor for Black Rot and downy mildew.

Fruit Development & Maturation

Mid-summer through late summer; 8-12 weeks

Green berries enlarge and gradually turn dark purple/black as sugars accumulate

Remove excess foliage to expose fruit to sunlight but protect from sunburn. Manage watering to avoid splitting. Thin berries if needed.

Harvest & Dormancy

Late summer through fall; harvest 2-4 weeks

Dark purple berries reach full color and sweetness; leaves begin yellowing and dropping in autumn

Harvest ripe clusters by cutting stems. Prepare vine for winter dormancy. Clean up fallen leaves. Prune after harvest for next year's growth.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Clover comfrey legumes garlic chives

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas fennel black walnut trees

Common Pests

Hand-pick early morning, use pheromone traps away from vines, apply neem oil or spinosad
Use phylloxera-resistant rootstocks; Concord on its own roots is moderately resistant
Remove mummified berries, apply spinosad at bloom and fruit set, manage weeds
Improve air circulation through pruning, apply sulfur spray, use fungicides in wet springs
Copper fungicide sprays, improve drainage and air circulation, resistant to many fungicides
Remove infected berries and wood, improve air flow, fungicide sprays, sanitation

Uses

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Fresh eating, juice & preserves

Culinary

Concord grapes are famous for their distinctive musky flavor and slip-skin, making them ideal for eating fresh, pressing into juice, and making jams and jelly. Their high pectin content makes them naturally suited to preserve-making. [source]

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Wine & fermentation

Culinary

Concord grapes produce distinctive sweet and fortified wines with characteristic grape flavor. Historically used for kosher wine production. [source]

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Antioxidant content

Medicinal

Concord grape juice is rich in resveratrol and polyphenols, compounds studied for cardiovascular and antioxidant benefits. [source]

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Natural dye

Household

Concord grape skins produce deep purple natural dyes suitable for coloring textiles and food applications. [source]

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Wildlife food source

Wildlife

Concord grapes attract birds and beneficial insects; the vigorous vines provide habitat and nesting opportunities for wildlife. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest in late August through September when berries are fully dark purple and easily come off the stem. Taste test for sweetness—grapes do not ripen further after picking. Harvest entire clusters by cutting with pruning shears. Concords are excellent for fresh eating, juice, jelly, and wine. Handle gently as skins slip easily when ripe.

Fun Facts

🌱 Concord grapes were first developed in Concord, Massachusetts in 1849 and are the only grape variety native to America that is widely cultivated commercially.
🌱 The distinctive 'slip-skin' trait—where the skin easily separates from the flesh—is unique to Concord and other Vitis labrusca varieties, making them easier to eat than traditional wine grapes.
🌱 Concord grapes are so iconic in American culture that they are the state berry of New York and appear on Welch's jelly and juice labels, which has used Concords since 1918.

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