Released by Washington County Extension Agent Matt Orwat ….
Plan Now for Success with Muscadines and Scuppernongs Next Year Muscadine, also known as scuppernong, cultivar ‘Granny Val‘ is not yet ripe in Mid-August, but will be soon. Although muscadine harvest can begin as early as July and as late as September, peak time is just beginning for the bulk of the muscadines grown in the Florida Panhandle.
Generally, muscadines do not store well or last long after harvest, so growers need the ability to spread out the harvest season. This may be accomplished by planting a mix of early, mid, and late bearing cultivars which maximizes the availability of fresh product throughout the harvest season.
Northwest Florida farms grow muscadines as a substitute for traditional grape (Vitis vinifera) cultivars such as ‘Concord’ or ‘Thompson’s Seedless’, since these cultivars are prone to Pierce’s Disease. In fact, muscadines are native to the Southeastern US, and are resistant to a variety of insect and disease pests. This is a significant advantage, because the need for insecticides or pesticides in production can be lower than many other fruit crops.