How and when to water grapes: irrigation features, irrigation methods, is it possible to water while the berries are ripening?

Thanks to their strong roots, grapes are drought-resistant. However, don't forget about watering, especially in the summer heat. Proper soil moisture at the right time promotes vigorous bush growth and fruit ripening, and improves frost resistance and immunity. To ensure a bountiful harvest, it's important to know the proper watering methods and techniques. Proper soil moisture improves plant nutrition. When and how to water grapes in different climate zones?

The Importance of Water for Plants

Water is an essential component involved in all intracellular processes in plants. All nutrients reach the tissues in dissolved form. Micro- and macronutrients are not absorbed by the roots from dry soil. Water facilitates nutrient transport and evaporation, removing excess heat from the leaves. The intensity of this mechanism depends on humidity. In dry weather, water evaporates from plant tissues faster. Insufficient moisture causes the internal temperature to rise above optimal levels, resulting in "heat stress" for the grapes.

When to water grape bushes

Watering grapes is important at all stages of their development. The frequency and regularity of soil moistening depends on various factors: the growing region, the number of rainy days, the soil composition, the plant variety and age, the groundwater level, and the irrigation method. In areas with frequent heavy rains, grape vines are not watered at all. In the south and central regions of Russia, plants need to be provided with timely soil moisture around the trunks.

Watering grapes in spring

At the beginning of the growing season, roots, shoots, and foliage grow rapidly. After the buds open, before they swell, grape vines need to be watered thoroughly. After a winter with little snow, the soil should be replenished with moisture. If spring weather is dry, grapes should be watered in April. The time it takes for the plants to awaken depends on the temperature of the irrigation water: warm water accelerates bud break, while cold water delays it. This should be taken into account if return frosts are expected.

Grape vines need moisture most during the period of new leaf emergence and active vine growth. Plants should be watered approximately 20 days before flowering. On average, the soil is watered three times in the spring. Watering during flowering is not recommended. Otherwise, some of the flowers will fall off and there will be fewer clusters.

Watering grapes in summer

Lack of precipitation and hot weather are common features of summer weather. As the berries begin to ripen, the need for water increases. Grapes should receive half the seasonal watering requirement. As summer approaches, they are watered when the berries reach the size of a pea, and again in late July.

It is believed that keeping the soil around grapes moist in August will only harm the future harvest. The soil should be kept moist until the fruit softens and the skin develops its characteristic varietal color. Watering grapes in the summer while the berries are ripening often leads to skin cracking and the development of gray mold. Late-ripening varieties are also watered in August, as their berries ripen in September or October.

Autumn watering

Can grapes be watered in the fall? To prepare the plants for the upcoming frosts, the area around the trunk must be thoroughly moistened in the fall. In winter, dry soil cracks, and the roots freeze. If there is frequent rainfall in the fall, the vineyard should not be watered. In southern regions, where the vines are not covered for the winter, the soil should be thoroughly moistened after the leaves have fallen. In cold climates, the vines are watered after they have been covered. This is typically done in late October or early November. Late-ripening varieties, whose fruit is intended for long-term storage, should not be watered for a month before harvest.

How to water seedlings

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To ensure good rooting after planting, the soil must remain moist. Pour the liquid into a circular hole dug 30 cm from the stem. It should be 25 cm deep and 60 cm wide. Water the grape cuttings at least once every 7-10 days after planting, avoiding overwatering. Once the water has been absorbed, cover the hole with dry soil. This circular watering ensures uniform soil moisture and root growth.

Each seedling requires 10-15 liters of water, applied within the hole's boundaries. If the bushes are growing poorly, rooting stimulants such as Heteroauxin, Ribav-Extra, or Kornevin are used. In midsummer, rooted cuttings should be watered approximately 2-3 times every 30 days. The frequency depends on the size of the young bush and the climate. In hot weather, the watering rate is increased. To ensure the vines have time to mature before winter, the young plants are given a final, heavy watering in August.

The value of vegetative irrigation

During summer droughts, vegetation irrigation is performed. Its main purpose is to retain moisture in the soil, promoting normal plant development and cooling. To understand the benefits of summer irrigation, it's important to understand the stages of fruit formation.

Grape buds open at temperatures of 12°C (54°F). When the thermometer reaches 25°C (77°F), shoots begin to grow rapidly, and a little later, flowers appear on the vines. The optimal temperature for ripening is 30°C (86°F). Summer root watering improves nutrient absorption. Without sufficient moisture, the berries will be significantly smaller. When the temperature begins to drop to 15°C (59°F), the grape clusters will already appear ripe. Sugar production in the berries ceases.

In areas where summer temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F), it's important to ensure a regular supply of water to the grapevines. In temperate climates, grapes don't require frequent or abundant watering. Plants should be watered as needed, when the soil dries out. In mild droughts, grapes easily absorb water. Stem nutrition also includes foliar feeding. Therefore, to ensure large, sweet fruits, avoid conserving water, as excess moisture evaporates quickly in hot weather.

Irrigation methods

Gardeners use two methods of watering grapes: surface and subsurface. When using the surface method, water is poured into 20-cm-deep grooves dug between the rows. These grooves are placed 60 cm from the vine. The surface method is ineffective for mature vines, as their roots reach a depth of more than 0.5 m. This technique is suitable for seedlings.

The most successful option for surface irrigation is drip irrigationThis method achieves a gradual soil moisture effect. A special tape is placed between the vines at a distance of 25 cm. This tape delivers the required amount of water to the vines, improving fruiting.

The best soil moisture is achieved with subsurface irrigation. A popular drainage method among gardeners is to dig metal pipes 0.5 meters deep near the bushes. The pipes are 10-15 cm in diameter. A 15 cm section of the pipe should remain above ground. Fourteen to sixteen holes, each 10-12 mm in diameter, are drilled in the lower section. A drainage layer of small stones or broken bricks is placed under each pipe. The top hole is kept closed to prevent debris from falling in.

The underground irrigation method has its advantages:

1. For deep soil moistening, much less water is required, since it goes directly to the roots.
2. Frost resistance of grapes increases. Plants actively develop deep roots, which are less susceptible to winter frost damage than surface roots.
3. Water soaks the deep layers of soil, while the surface around the plant remains dry, which reduces the risk of fungal infection.

Features of watering

Grapes are a crop that easily adapts to heat. In the summer, in temperate climates, normal rainfall is sufficient for grapes to ripen. However, when growing cultivated varieties, supplemental irrigation is essential. Proper irrigation helps maximize grape yield and reveal the varietal qualities.

When caring for grapes, you need to take into account the following watering features:

1. It's better to underwater than overwater. Excess moisture stimulates the growth of surface roots, which freeze during severe frosts.
2. If there are long intervals between waterings, the soil dries out. Lack of moisture can cause the berries to crack.
3. Rapid stem growth is a reason to reduce the amount of water. If the bushes are growing slowly, water them and feed them with nitrogen fertilizer.
4. During prolonged periods of dry weather, grapes require generous soil moisture. When the fruit begins to soften and develop its characteristic color, water the vines more frequently, increasing the amount of water.
5. If you water cold water into soil warmed by the scorching summer sun, the plants will experience heat shock. This is caused by the temperature difference. Therefore, watering with well water should only be done in the pre-dawn or evening hours. Another common mistake is watering plants with warm water under high pressure.
6. Rainwater can be used to moisten the soil. It is collected in 200-liter barrels.
7. Moistened soil should be loosened to improve air permeability. This prevents root rot and rapid evaporation of moisture. The soil is loosened when the water has been absorbed and the soil has dried out slightly.

Watering and fertilizing

To grape seedlings To get the plants to bear fruit early and produce a good harvest, it's important to properly balance watering and fertilizing. In the spring, the bush is fertilized with mineral mixtures enriched with phosphorus, nitrogen, and zinc. For best results, combine these with organic matter: chicken manure, compost, and rotted manure.

In summer, after watering, apply a nitrogen-free fertilizer. The last time the grapes are fed is 14 days before harvesting the ripe bunches. Timely soil moisture and regular feeding They increase the grapes' resistance to various diseases. And the berries turn out juicy and sweet.

How often should I water grapes?

The timing of irrigation and the amount of water applied are influenced by various factors: climate, soil composition, weather conditions, variety, soil moistening method, plant age, and fruit set. In arid climates, vines are watered more frequently. If grapes are grown on sandy soils, the intervals between waterings are shorter, and the amount of water applied is smaller. Grapes growing on clay soils or black soil require infrequent but abundant watering. Mature plants and late-season varieties require more frequent watering in summer than young plantings.

Irrigation of grapes is carried out during the following growing seasons:

• after fixing the plants to the support;
• after spring pruning, if the weather is dry;
• when young shoots reach a length of 35 cm;
• during the appearance of buds;
• in summer, when pea-sized berries are formed;
• until the fruit softens;
• in the fall, during preparation for winter.

When using the subsurface method, the soil is moistened at least once every 14-20 days, unless there is heavy rainfall. When using the surface method, weather conditions must be taken into account and the condition of the plants must be monitored. Moisture deficiency can be recognized by weak shoot growth, loose clusters, and small berries. Overwatering causes waterlogging, which manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• increased growth of stems and shoots;
• delayed berry formation;
• wateriness and low sugar content of the pulp;
• uncharacteristic color in dark varieties;
• poor ripening of the vine.

How much water do grapes need?

Each plant needs to be provided with enough liquid to moisten the soil to a depth of 0.5-1 m. The recommended watering rate is 60-90 liters per 1 m.²Sandy soil will require 1.5 times more water. Grapes under 3 years of age require half the recommended amount, while vines under 8 years of age require two-thirds of the recommended amount. After a winter with little snow, approximately 250 liters of water per vine is used for spring irrigation. During prolonged dry weather, the same amount of water is used. Moisture requirements increase during berry ripening. For each growing season, 50-70 liters of water are used per 1 m.².

Consequences of moisture deficiency and excess

With insufficient moisture, grapes develop numerous superficial roots, to the detriment of the main ones. Irregular soil moisture causes the roots to periodically dry out and regrow. Don't expect a good harvest from grapes that are constantly under stress. Over-dried soil cracks in the summer heat, the roots break, and the plants wither.

Excess moisture causes the following consequences:

• nutrients are washed out;
• fungal diseases occur;
• the roots are rotting;
• the berries crack and become sour;
• Ripe fruits do not transport or store well.

If watering is delayed, the berries take on the appearance of wrinkled balls and stop developing. They become limp and tasteless. If there's a lack of moisture, the vine loses some leaves, and the remaining ones become withered. During droughts, lack of water causes the vines and roots to spread, affecting other garden plants.

Reviews

Gardeners and summer residents who have properly watered their grapes are pleased with the results. They note good shoot growth, abundant bunches, and improved fruit quality. watering grapes in summer Regular irrigation allows it to withstand heat better. With deep irrigation, yields increase significantly. Experienced winegrowers choose the underground irrigation method, believing it to be the most effective.

Proper watering is the main thing grape care conditionsIt's important to adhere to the recommended watering schedule and timing. When choosing a watering method, consider climate conditions, soil composition, and planting area. During drought, grapes should be watered regularly. With timely soil moisture, especially in summer, the plants will delight you with an abundance of delicious berries.