{"id":1226,"date":"2019-06-17T22:25:03","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T04:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ultimatepicklejar.com\/wordpress\/?p=1226"},"modified":"2023-12-11T12:49:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T18:49:20","slug":"raising-maintaining-wild-muscadine-grapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatepicklejar.com\/wordpress\/2019\/06\/17\/raising-maintaining-wild-muscadine-grapes\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Muscadine Grapes: Reclaiming a Wild Planting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reclaiming, Raising and Maintaining Wild Muscadine Grapes<\/h1>\n

Reclaiming, raising and maintaining wild muscadine grapes can be both a joy and a heartbreaker at the same time! We just found a piece of property that we could afford and are quite happy with it! It has sandy loam soil and wild muscadine grapes! We were getting pretty frusterated with the black gumbo “dirt” we now use. You know the kind……………………………. one minute you bog to your freaking knees in the wet stuff OR when dry.. you lose your small dogs in the cracks! The property is totally invaded with wild muscadine grape vines! We are excited and hope to improve the planting after\u00a0 years of neglect.<\/p>\n

Wild Muscadine Grapes: Information<\/h2>\n
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION FROM WIKIPEDIA: <\/b><\/i>\r\n\r\nVitis rotundifolia<\/b><\/i>, or muscadine<\/b>,[1]<\/a><\/sup> is a grapevine<\/a> species native to the southeastern and south-central United States from Florida<\/a> to Delaware<\/a>, west to eastern Texas<\/a> and Oklahoma<\/a>.[2]<\/a><\/sup> It has been extensively cultivated since the 16th century.[3]<\/a><\/sup> The plants are well adapted to their native warm and humid climate; they need fewer chilling hours<\/a> than better known varieties and they thrive on summer heat.\r\n\r\nMuscadine berries may be bronze or dark purple or black when ripe<\/a>.[4]<\/a><\/sup> However, many wild varieties stay green through maturity. Muscadines have skin sufficiently thick and tough that eating the raw fruit is similar to eating a plum and may be an acquired taste.[5]<\/a><\/sup> Muscadines are typically used in making artisan<\/a> wines<\/a>, juice, and jelly. They are rich sources of polyphenols<\/a>.[6]<\/a><\/sup>\r\n\r\nIn a natural setting, muscadines are important plants for improving wildlife habitat<\/a> by providing cover, browse, and fruit for a wide variety of animals.[7]<\/a><\/sup><\/pre>\n
VINES ARE INCREDIBLY LONG LIVED!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Vines can live for decades and are very disease resistant. Check out \"The Mother-Vine<\/a>\" which is thought to be 400+ years old and still growing strong! It covered 2 acres at one time! Now contained in a much smaller area but still thriving and managable!\"400+-year-old<\/a>400+-year-old wild muscadine vine! It once covered over 2 acres!<\/pre>\n
Muscadines are heart healthy! They contain lots of anti-oxidants!<\/pre>\n
Our Project: Tame the Grapes!<\/h2>\n
Here is what we basically have with the new property. LOADS of grape vines! They are totally wild. They have not been cultivated and are not producing a fraction of what they could with good stewardship. Armed with Google and the unreal excitement that owning a prize like this, we hope to change this wriggling mass of vines into a productive arbor both for grape production and a comfortable haven to relax in. The soil is perfect for grapes! A sandy loam that drains well and the hot climate makes the perfect storm.<\/p>\n