Where can I grow grapes? Example of a Suitability Index map (click to enlarge). Searching for new land to grow your favourite crop typically means looking for localities with similar climate, soil, and topography to places where the crop is already grown successfully. This can be a time consuming and costly exercise. New approaches to climate and soil modelling, funded by the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology, provide a desktop method to survey potentially suitable areas. The procedure doesn't eliminate the need to go out and investigate possible sites 'on the ground'.