How to prepare grapes for winter: what to do, pruning, and winter shelter

Proper preparation of grapes for winter will protect them from cold and pests. Although most grape varieties are the result of selective breeding, one shouldn't rely 100% on the ability of sweet berries to withstand the effects of external adverse factors. Properly preparing grapes for winter involves several stages. The first begins in the fall. The specific timing is determined by the gardener, taking into account the climate zone and the characteristics of the variety. The optimal time is mid-September to early November. In temperate climates, preparation begins in October.

Autumn preparation of grapes for winter

The first step is to carefully bend the vine to the ground before the cold weather sets in. The next step is to apply nutrients. Gardeners should remember the need for fertilizing. grapes before covering for the winter After fruiting has completed. Avoid skimping, otherwise there will be no active growth in the spring. Phosphorus and potassium are often used. When using mineral fertilizers in the garden, superphosphate is added to the soil at a rate of up to 30 g per 1 m². If potash fertilizers are used, potassium sulfate is added to the soil at a rate of up to 20 g per 1 m².

Regardless of the type of fertilizer, the emphasis is on wet root feedingWith its help, nutrients reach their destination faster. Each plant requires 10 liters of water with dissolved fertilizer. In garden plots, owners who prefer organic fertilizers use wood ash as a fertilizer. Up to 200 g is used per plant. It is applied dry during tilling or dissolved. In regions with harsh climates, slightly rotted humus or compost is also used. Each plant requires 15 kg of fertilizer.

Mandatory application of fungicides

Among the tips for preparing grape bushes for winter in the temperate zone, one of the most common is the use of a fungicide. Ferrous sulfate is the most popular. It contains substances that inhibit the growth of bacterial flora. Even with fluctuating temperatures, the berries are safe. When treating seedlings, follow these recommendations:

• spraying can be done before pruning, but this procedure will require 50% more solution;
• treatment is carried out with a 3% solution (if the berries were not diseased) and a 5% solution if the grapes were diseased;
• for every 10 liters of water take 500 g of the substance;
• young plantings can be treated with a 1% solution of ferrous sulfate - 100 g of the substance is taken for every 10 liters of water;
• After processing, the vine will darken a little and this is not scary;
• Urea (100 g per 5 l) added to the solution will help improve the quality of spraying.

Although urea contains nitrogen, it kills pest larvae in small amounts. Spraying should only be done after all the leaves have fallen. Second, all buds on the bush have closed.

Carrying out pruning of bushes

Proper preparation for winter begins with removing individual elements. Each step must be carefully considered, so there's no need to rush. Direct Caring for grapes in autumn Its subsequent winter pruning involves preparing cuttings. These will be used to propagate the berries. You can begin this work immediately after all the leaves have fallen. Whether the bushes are just growing for the first year or for several years, the recommended procedure is as follows:

• the first pruning is carried out in mid-September;
• the second pruning is carried out 3 weeks after harvesting in October;
• During the first pruning, diseased and dry bushes are removed (no more than 15% of the total number of bushes);
• It is allowed to trim only those shoots that are located on the main trunk 60 cm above the top wire.

Gardeners who want to know how pruning grapes for the winter, should always keep in mind the berry variety and the region's climate. Both factors can shift pruning time upward or downward. To ensure the grapes thrive in winter, gardeners pay more attention to the second pruning in October:

• the shoot on the outer side of the sleeve must be pruned;
• up to 3 buds are left on it;
• up to 2 shoots are left on the inside to form a fruiting stalk;
• You need to leave a number of buds that matches the diameter of the vine + about 2 buds.

Compliance with watering rules

Once pruning is complete, the plants need to be watered. The first rule is to water before the soil freezes; otherwise, it's pointless. The optimal time is late fall. The more moisture you add, the less likely you are to get a small harvest. Gardeners report that vines that are well-watered enter the growing season more quickly in the spring. In late fall, preparation includes the following recommendations:

• recommended irrigation volume for sandy soil – 60 liters under each bush;
• for loams the indicator is 30 liters per bush;
• Before starting watering, make a small depression around the main trunk – up to 10 cm.

When watering, make sure the water falls directly into the groove. This way, you can conserve moisture and ensure that each plant receives enough.

Benefits of cataract

Before winter, remove shallow roots located at a depth of up to 25 cm. This recommendation should not be ignored. These roots are located too close to the surface. During winter, when watering and fertilizing are infrequent, they will die off, draining the grapes of their energy. The procedure for removing surface roots is as follows:

• carefully dig up the soil around the trunk to a depth of 25 cm;
• remove the roots with pruning shears;
• the cuts are treated with a solution (3%) of copper sulfate;
• wrap the cut area with 3 layers of film and tie it with twine;
• the hole is filled with earth.

Cataract is necessary for those who grow grapes on a farm or in industrial quantities.

Covering grapes for the winter

A step-by-step autumn treatment of grapes involves a preliminary assessment of the vine's condition. If winter is approaching and the vines are not yet ripe, it's worth temporarily suspending watering and fertilizing. These procedures will be sufficient to speed up ripening. The next step is sheltering plantingsEverything here depends on the amount of snowfall in the region. The less snow, the denser the fabric should be. Work begins with carefully removing the scaffolds from their supports and tying the branches together. They are then carefully laid on the ground.

Reviews

Tamara

The average winter temperature here drops to -20 degrees Celsius. I use potassium fertilizers. I also spray with copper sulfate combined with urea. I stop watering in early October, before nature shows its temper.

Bogdan

To prevent the bush from remaining pruned for too long, I remove several shoots and trim them in early October. The leaves have already fallen. Before spraying, I make sure there are no more open buds.

Valeria

I start preparing early-ripening varieties for winter in mid-September. The leaves have fallen and the buds have closed. First, I remove a few shoots, leaving up to 2-3 buds. Then I add organic matter. We have mild winters, so I try not to use chemicals.

Properly treating grapes in the fall before wintering will ensure the safety of each vine and a good harvest next year. Before beginning the work, assess the region's climate and the variety's ripening speed. Typically, in temperate climates, preparation begins in October. This includes pruning, watering, and fertilizing. To ensure the treatment is effective, it is carried out before the onset of cold weather. This primarily involves watering. Water simply won't reach the roots if the ground is frozen.