Grapes, one of the oldest fruits known to man, are grown virtually everywhere on Earth.  We at Virginia Berry Farm have chosen hardy, seedless, American varieties in red, white and blue.

Growing grapes is a relatively simple task for the home grower since they will grow in a variety of soils and can be trained onto a fascinating assortment of apparatus, ranging from arbors to architectural facades to trellis systems used by grape farmers.  In many applications the ever-changing appearance of the vines and fruit provides a unique addition to the landscape.

Grapes are known to last more than 100 years if a minimum of care is given to them and they have been provided with a viable place to grow.  Once established, care consists entirely of annual pruning, picking the fruit and dealing with Japanese Beetles.  Fortunately the beetles don't last long so the best thing to generally to ignore them unless they are very bad.

In late summer your plants will be filling with tasty, chemical-free fruit.  It will be ripe when the mature color develops and when the fruit tastes very sweet.  But the beauty of the grape goes well beyond taste - there are the health benefits to consider!

Anti-oxidants and Health

As a healthful snack nothing could beat the convenience or delicious flavor of grapes.  And what could be more pleasant than enjoying a glass of wine with friends.  But that's not all you get when you munch a bunch of grapes or sip that evening glass of wine.

Not only are grapes a good source of vitamins A, C, and B6, and minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, as well as trace amounts of copper, manganese and zinc, they also contain beneficial compounds called flavonoids, very powerful antioxidants.  Antioxidants are know to help neutralize harmful byproducts of metabolism called free radicals that are believed to be the threat that initiates disease problems.  Antioxidants are believed to be important in preventing cancer, stroke, heart disease, and loss of memory resulting from Alzheimer's disease.

These flavonoids include a compound called resveratrol.  A study published in the 2004-year-end edition of the American Journal of Physiology indicates that resveratrol inhibits formation of a protein that produces a condition called cardio fibrosis, a condition which reduces the heart's pumping efficiency when it is needed most, at times of stress.  Recent studies have suggested the use of resveratrol as a cancer-preventive agent in prostate, lung, liver and breast cancer.  In addition to resveratrol, grapes contain a compound called pterostilbene, a powerful antioxidant that is already known to fight cancer and may also help lower cholesterol.

Who knew something to good could be so good for you?  So cheers!  Here's to your health!