Cold-hardy grape
Vitis labrusca and hybrids
Concord, Canadice and Lakemont types: table and juice grapes that shrug off cold winters and humid summers.
Hardiness: zones 4 to 8
Light: full sun
Size: about 6 ft tall, 8 ft wide
Harvest: August to October
From: Eastern North America (hybrids worldwide)
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Native to: Northeast. Hardy in zones 4 to 8.
The story
Riverbank grape and fox grape are Ohio natives. 'Lakemont' is a seedless table grape bred in Geneva, New York. Lakemont's parents are 'Ontario' and Thompson Seedless.
Planting
Full sun. Soil: well-drained (pH 5.5–7.0). Spacing: 6–8 ft. Pollination: self-fertile: each vine sets fruit on its own.
Growing
Water: moderate; avoid overwatering. Winter: Prune hard in late Feb–March. Most of the growth comes off. Spring: Tie new shoots to the trellis. Summer: Remove leaves around clusters for airflow. Hand-pick Japanese beetles. Fall: Taste-test before picking.
Harvest and use
Harvest: August–September. First crop: 2–3 years.
What to watch for
Black rot, powdery mildew, Japanese beetles.
See if Cold-hardy grape fits your yard
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home