Video

When you think of farming in North Dakota, this crop doesn't typically come to mind. Reporter Sarah Gustin tells us how for one crop, it isn't spring planting, but spring pruning. It is a different type of spring work. (Mary Ann Duppong / Grape Grower) It is sure alot of fun growing grapes. It is really interesting. Fasting growing thing I have ever planted to watch grow. Ken and Mary Ann Duppong's vineyard began only five years ago with 8 different varities of grapes. This year they will be harvesting more than 40 different varities... from more than 14-hundred vines. And just like farming, grape growing also involves the joys and hassles...of spring work like pruning and trellising. (Sarah Gustin / KX news) These vines may not be in full bloom, but Duppong's say they still require work. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to trim just one vine. (Ken Duppong / Grape Grower) Once you know how to do the pruning it doesn't take as long, but when we were first starting out we were thinking, well what should we do with this one, what should be do with this one? Duppong's say growing grapes in western North Dakota definitely has it's challenges. Fighting the harsh winds and extreme cold temperatures are just a few. But they say their area has one big advantage. (Ken Duppong / Grape Grower) I just like to go out there in the summer time. If it is dry and everythng else is drying up, the grapes just love the heat. A stressed grape gives you better wine. The Duppong's say they expect the vines to start budding in May. And they plan on picking grapes by early September. In Glen Ullin, reporting for KX News, I am Sarah Gustin. Duppong's harvested about 200 pounds of grapes last year. They say they're planning on marketing this year's grape crop at local farmers markets.