When can you transplant grapes to another location in the fall?

Traditionally a southern crop, grapes are now grown even in the cold regions of Siberia and Northwest Russia. To harvest a successful crop, gardeners must delve into all the intricacies of berry growing: fertilizing, replanting, pruning, wintering. Grapevines are usually transplanted to a new location in the fall, when the plant enters dormancy. If all agricultural practices are followed correctly, ripe, delicious berries can be harvested from the bushes within a couple of years.

General information about grape transplantation

Why do it? transplanting grapes? The reasons are different:

• incorrectly chosen location for the crop in the garden;
• site redevelopment;
• construction of an outbuilding;
• inconvenient neighborhood (there are bushes or trees growing nearby that interfere with the grapes);
• the specificity of the variety was not taken into account first landing (the bushes have grown large, there is not enough feeding area for planting).

When planning the procedure, consider agricultural practices and crop characteristics. It's best to replant grapes in the fall, when the vines are no more than 5-6 years old. This is because they adapt more quickly to new conditions. The best time is spring or fall, the period when the vines are "dormant."

The new planting site is prepared in advance, with necessary fertilizers and soil cultivation. Before transplanting mature grapevines, the above-ground portions will need to be pruned to help the plants cope with stress and establish better. After the transplanted vines have adapted, the flower heads are removed from the vines, preventing them from bearing fruit for a couple of years. The vines will gain strength, become stronger, and after two to three years, fruiting is permitted.

Why is replanting done in autumn?

According to agricultural practices, grapes are replanted in early spring or fall. Experienced winegrowers believe that it's best to replant grape vines in the fall, as this allows them to establish faster and is less susceptible to disease. The weather and local climate are also important considerations.

What are the advantages of replanting grapes in the fall:

• the plant goes into a period of "rest";
• autumn rains will ensure regular watering of the bushes;
• After summer, the soil remains warm, so the root system does not experience much stress.

Grapevines undergo a gradual transition to dormancy. After the leaves fall, the aboveground portion of the plant goes dormant first, while the roots are still very active. This allows the vine to establish itself in its new location before the cold weather sets in.

The timing of transplanting different grape varieties varies and depends on the region:

• in the southern regions – in late October or early November;
• in the regions middle zone, V Moscow region – from mid-October;
• in the North-West, in the Urals – the beginning of October.

Consider the current season's weather forecast and local conditions. The most important thing is to ensure that the transplanted bushes are not exposed to early frost.

Threats to grapes during transplantation

When planning to replant grapes, remember to provide the plants with proper and complete care. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in the loss of the vines, the loss of the variety, and the loss of the harvest.

Threats:

• for a couple of years you will have to stop picking berries from the transplanted vines;
• berries of a certain variety often change their taste;
• Transplanted plants are more susceptible to infections (the insidious phylloxera is especially dangerous).

Avoid planting new vines in the same location as previously removed plants, as this can lead to plant diseases. There's a high risk of losing a plant when replanting grapes older than 7-8 years, but with proper care and maintenance, even these plants can survive.

Grape varieties and transplantation specifics

Several varieties of grapes are grown in the central and northern regions:

• table (for picking berries);
• maiden;
• wild (for landscaping).

The last two species are undemanding, requiring little care and growing in any growing conditions. The vines grow quickly, twining around supports, making them so popular in landscape design. They transplant easily, quickly establishing roots in their new location and growing luxuriantly.

Wine and table grape varieties require special care, including during replanting. Failure to follow proper agricultural practices often leads to the death of valuable, high-yielding varieties.

Autumn work: we are finalizing the deadlines

It is difficult to specify exact dates for grapes, as various factors are taken into account:

• variety;
• condition of the bushes;
• age of vines;
• climatic conditions of the area;
• weather.

One of the main conditions is the complete fall of leaves, indicating that the plant is approaching a state of “rest”, but the root system is still strong.

In what month

Leaves begin to fall from grapevine vines in September and October. The soil is warm at this time, and roots are fully functional. This is a good time for replanting, but long-term weather forecasts are important.

Don't delay the work, but don't rush it either, otherwise the bushes planted in the warm autumn will quickly begin to grow and bloom. If autumn arrives late, the latest deadline is mid-November, no later.

In the Moscow region

The usual time to transplant grapevines in the temperate climate zone is October. Depending on the specific year, this may be done a little earlier, in late September, or a little later, in late October. Don't wait for the soil to cool, as cold temperatures can make it difficult for the vines to establish.

In the Urals

In the Urals, as in the Northwest, vines are transplanted in the first month of autumn. In September, the leaves are in full swing in these regions, the weather changes rapidly, and a series of warm days instantly give way to cold and damp temperatures. To avoid stress and the death of the vines, transplanting is done without delay, choosing a clear, sunny day for the job.

In Siberia

Is it possible to transplant after the harvest in Siberia? Autumn transplanting is not suitable for this region; winter, not even autumn, arrives too early. Global warming certainly plays a role, but Siberia still lives up to its reputation as a land of cold and frost. Therefore, it's best to prepare the holes for the bushes in the fall and plan all the work for the spring.

Preparation

First, choose a location: one that receives plenty of sun and is free of drafts. It's recommended to plant the seedlings near walls or fences that provide protection from the wind.

Southern and southwest-facing slopes are suitable, with rows oriented south to north. Maintain proper spacing between holes to avoid dense plantings and tangled vines.

Preparing the grape bush

The vines are pruned, leaving branches no taller than 18-20 cm. The cuts are treated with gardening pitch, then the bush is dug around. It is important to keep the underground trunk, roots, and heel of the bushes intact.

For better survival, the roots of the dug-up bushes are immersed in a special mixture (two shovels of mullein and a shovel of clay mixed in water until the consistency is creamy).

Preparing the pit

Well-prepared soil is essential for grapevines to quickly adapt to their new location and prevent disease. Soil preparation begins 3-4 weeks before the planned work. After digging the holes, they are left to settle, then fertilizer is mixed into the soil.

Nutrient mixture:

• black soil (4-6 kg);
• superphosphate (250 grams);
• wood ash or potassium salt (150 grams each).

Mix the ingredients, and pour half into the bottom of the hole. After planting, cover the roots with the remaining mixture and soil, and compact them lightly.

Planting dug up grapes: methods

Bushes are transplanted, as well as cuttings, seedlings or cuttings in various ways. They take into account:

• age of the grapes (older bushes have a harder time withstanding the procedure and get sick more often);
• condition of plants;
• conditions.

In some cases, it is better to transplant the bushes with a lump of earth, while in others, you will have to work hard and care for the plant, transferred to a new location with exposed roots.

Transplanting with a lump of earth

For young plants, repotting with a root ball is common. The benefits are obvious:

• the roots are in their usual environment;
• the risk of damage to the root system is eliminated.

About 3-4 days before the planned work, stop watering the grapes. Prepare the hole so that it accommodates the entire root ball and roots.

Stages:

1. The vine is cut, leaving no more than two branches.
2. Carefully dig around the bush from all sides.
3. The plant is lifted after cutting off the lowest roots.
4. The bush is moved to a new location.
5. Place the bush in the hole, carefully straightening the roots.
6. Fill the hole with soil and nutrient mixture, and water generously with 2-3 buckets of water.

Bare-root grapes

The method for transplanting plants with a bare root system is slightly different.

Stages:

1. The bush is trimmed, leaving 3-4 branches.
2. Two shoots and three buds are left, the rest is cut off completely on the sleeves.
3. They dig around the bush.
4. Remove soil from the roots and cut off the lower roots.
5. Place the bush in a prepared hole (level - 18-20 cm lower than the previous one).
6. They add soil and water the plantings.

Typically, when transplanted with bare roots, the plant begins to produce berries after two years.

Consider the age of the bush when replanting.

Experts recommend replanting grapevines before they reach 7-8 years of age. However, for various reasons, winegrowers are not always able to adhere to these guidelines when replanting vines at any age.

Be prepared for the fact that older bushes will require more attention and care. They're a lot of work, and the process isn't always successful. This is due to the plant's powerful root system, which makes it harder to establish itself in a new location.

Despite the differences in age, the approximate work plan is the same for both young bushes and veteran grapevines.

Moving two-year-old grapes

Transplanted two-year-old bushes, if proper agricultural practices are followed, take root easily. Consider the following:

• when digging, retreat from the plants by approximately 30-40 cm so as not to damage the root system;
• they deepen the shovel to a depth of up to half a meter;
• After transplanting, the vine is cut back to three buds.

It is advisable to transplant seedlings with a lump of earth.

Transplanting three-year-old grapes

A three-year-old bush's roots penetrate to a depth of 80-100 cm, but most of them are located on the horizon, up to half a meter deep. The root system's width reaches a radius of 100-120 cm, and this should be taken into account when digging.

The spade is inserted to a depth of 80 cm, and the distance from the base of the plant is 50-60 cm. Pruning of the vine is mandatory, according to the standard - up to 3-4 buds.

Old grapes: what to consider

Old grapevine plantings require special attention. The underground part of the plant is located primarily at a depth of 50-60 cm, although the longest roots extend down to 150-200 cm. Therefore, when replanting, it is difficult to avoid root deformation, which complicates the vines' adaptation.

Experienced winegrowers, when replanting old vines, prefer to transplant them using layering. However, this method is only effective if the distance between the old and new locations does not exceed 2.5 meters.

The selected shoot is bent to the side and covered with soil in the desired location for rooting. After some time, it takes root, but grows, receiving nourishment from the mature plant. The new shoot is completely separated after two years, having gained strength and no longer requiring the mother's nourishment.

If you decide to transplant a large, mature bush entirely, you'll need to dig up the roots and soil, preserving as much of the plant's underground volume as possible. You can remove dark, non-viable root sections, leaving only the viable, light-colored roots.

Caring for a bush after transplantation

After moving the crop to a new location, it's important to provide the plants with proper care. There aren't many steps to take:

• watering (until the vines are covered for the winter) approximately once a week;
• mulching the soil around (sawdust, humus).

Provided fertilizer was added to the planting hole, there's no need to feed the grapes after transplanting. However, gardeners who need to get their plants off to a quick start use pipe feeding.

1. At the bottom of the planting hole, make drainage from stones, pebbles or broken bricks.
2. A pipe (plastic, asbestos) with a diameter of up to 10 cm is installed in the pit.
3. The pipe should rest against the drainage layer with its lower end, and its upper end should protrude from the soil.
4. After planting a bush through a pipe feeding the grapes nutritional compositions.

The pipe is convenient for watering the plantings. The following year, all the blossoms are removed from the grapes, and the procedure is repeated two years later. This is done to strengthen the grapes and improve the adaptation of the bushes.

Covering grapes

In temperate climates, transplanted grapes must be covered for the winter. Agrofibre is ideal for this purpose, protecting the plants from severe frosts and freezing.

The bushes are wrapped in fabric, and a frame of arches is created over the plantings, which is also covered with non-woven material. In regions with harsh winters, the soil is additionally mulched.

Transplanting secrets from experienced winegrowers

Experienced gardeners have accumulated many "secrets" on grape cultivation techniques, including transplanting. Helpful advice from experienced growers will help you avoid mistakes and minimize the risk of grapevine failure.

1. Grapes are replanted in pre-prepared soil: fertilized and weed-free. Avoid planting grapes in areas where grapes have already grown. Otherwise, new plantings are at risk of infection and dangerous pests.
2. Ash and humus are used as mulch, but never vine cuttings or dry grape leaves.
3. Don't dig huge holes for mature bushes. There should be enough space, but not too much; 1-1.2 square meters is plenty.
4. When transplanting bushes, it's best to preserve the entire root system. However, if dark, thin, or lifeless roots are present, it's best to trim them off. To disinfect and speed up healing, soak the roots in a special clay slurry.
5. If there is no root ball, replanting is carried out as quickly as possible so that the plant does not have time to wither.

Conclusion

When faced with the need to replant plants in the fall, novice gardeners shouldn't panic. Knowing how to properly replant grapes in the fall and following the recommended cultivation practices can save the plants and reap another harvest in the near future.