Vitis 'Prairie Star' - 'Prairie Star' Grape

Discover the 'Prairie Star' Grape, a variety of exceptional hardiness, one of the most cold-resistant! This ultra-vigorous and highly productive grape vine offers clusters of greenish-white grapes with a sweet and distinctly musky flavour. Ideal for making dry white wines or fruity juices, 'Prairie Star' is a robust and reliable choice for northern gardens, transforming your space into an inexhaustible source of flavours.

Harvest: Production & Flavours

The 'Prairie Star' Grape is renowned for its remarkable productivity, offering a generous harvest of mid-season grapes. Its fruits are very versatile, suitable for both processing and fresh consumption.

• Harvest Period: Late August - Early September
• Visual Description: Medium-sized, round grape clusters, greenish-white in colour with thin skin.
• Flavour Profile: Sweet, with a characteristic and very aromatic musky flavour. The flesh is juicy and tender.
• Culinary Uses: Excellent for producing dry white wines, grape juice, jellies, or for fresh consumption by those who appreciate its unique flavour.

Planting Guide

To ensure the success of your 'Prairie Star' Grape, follow these key steps:

1. Ideal Location: Plant your 'Prairie Star' in full sun for optimal growth and better fruit ripening. A sturdy support (trellis, pergola, fence) is absolutely essential to guide its very vigorous development.
2. Soil Preparation: This grape vine prefers well-drained, deep, rich organic soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0). Generously amend with compost before planting.
3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill with your amended soil mix and gently tamp down. Space plants approximately 2.5 to 3.5 metres (8 to 12 feet) apart to accommodate its vigour.
4. Pollination:
   • Type: Self-fertile. The 'Prairie Star' Grape does not require another grape variety to produce fruit.
   • Suggested Partners: No partners are necessary.

Care Guide

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the first year of establishment. Once well-established, this grape vine tolerates dry periods better, but regular watering during fruiting is beneficial.
• Fertilization: In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer or one specific to grapevines. An annual application of compost around the base of the plants is also very beneficial.
• Pruning: Rigorous annual pruning is essential to control its vigour and promote production. Perform dormant pruning (late winter/early spring) to structure the plant and prune for fruiting. Summer pruning can help manage its rapid growth.
• Protection:
  • Against Birds: Grapes are highly appealing to birds; bird netting is strongly recommended as harvest approaches to protect your clusters.
  • Winter Protection: Thanks to its extreme hardiness (Zone 3), the 'Prairie Star' Grape generally does not require additional winter protection.