Grow Your Own Fresh Fruit!
‘Mars’ (Plant patent 5680), a release from the University of Arkansas, is a vigorous, blue seedless grape that tolerates hot, summer areas. ‘Mars’ Seedless withstands powdery mildew & black rot! The flavor is mild and delicious for fresh eating. The berries are slipskin (having a tough skin that separates readily from the pulpy flesh). Clusters are medium sized, cylindrical, and well filled. Grapes are not particular about soil preference and do especially well in clays and loams that have been improved with organic matter.
The vines are allowed to run as they will the first year and the posting or staking is done the second or third year when you will prune heavily, leaving only 2 or 3 buds on the strongest stem. As it grows you’ll keep only the most vigorous sprout to form the main stem. Shallow cultivation and mulching are beneficial.