When can I expect my grapes to ripen at my altitude?
Question:I live in western, MA. This is the first year I have seen grapes on my vines. I live at 1200 ft. Everything is a bit behind here.
Approximately when can expect to eat my grapes?
Answers:
It depends more on the variety of the grape than on your elevation. Some varieties are early season, some midseason, some late season. Also, a hotter summer will ripen the grapes earlier than a cool and rainy one. So there is not a specific answer to your question without more information.
I grow 2 kinds of grapes, both considered "early." Depending on the weather conditions, I begin picking them in late July or early August. I live at a much lower elevation than you, in a milder climate. When they look as if they are ripe, I will pick one or 2 grapes from a cluster to taste test them. If they aren't as sweet as they should be, I will leave them for a couple of days and then try again. Late season grapes around here ripen in September and early October.
You will probably get your best information from locals, maybe from a local plant nursery. But the taste test is the most accurate way of knowing when your grapes are ready.
Grapes are a fall harvest. This is my first year for grapes as well, but I'm in OK so not nearly as elevated as you. I was told that grapes are best right after the first freeze, but that doesn't sound quite right so I'll be taste testing my grapes until they seem right. Good luck with yours.
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