Preparing grapes for winter is a necessary step to ensure stable growth and fruitfulness. Fully preparing the crop for the winter will protect the vineyard from frost. Caring for the fruiting crop can vary and depends directly on the region where the vines are grown.
Autumn preparatory activities
The health and fertility of a grape crop largely depends on how well the autumn preparations for winter are carried out. Proper autumn care will give the grapes additional strength and ensure their reliable preservation even during the harsh winter.
You may be interested in:Irrigation technique
During the period of intensive leaf growth and berry ripening, the plant requires regular watering. Many gardeners make the mistake of overwatering their grape vines, believing this will increase yield. Excess moisture can have unpleasant consequences:
- deterioration of the taste of fruits;
- rotting of the bush;
- the occurrence of various diseases.
To avoid such problems, the soil should be moistened moderately. If the planted area has predominantly sandy soil, water frequently, using small amounts. Clay soil requires less frequent watering. However, when watering vines planted in clay soil, the amount of water should be increased. When performing this procedure, you should be guided by several factors:
- depth of groundwater;
- amount of precipitation;
- air temperature.
If autumn is rainy, the vineyard may not require any additional watering. As winter approaches and temperatures gradually drop, watering frequency should be reduced. Properly performed watering will ensure adequate moisture for the vines and increase the frost resistance of the fruiting crop.
You may be interested in:Fertilization and pruning
To properly prepare grapes for winter, the soil in the planted area must be well fertilized. After the berries ripen, the fruiting plant weakens significantly and is unlikely to survive the harsh winter without additional fertilizing. Grapevines do not require annual fertilization. Grapevines will survive the winter well if fertilized at least once every three years. Experienced winegrowers advise fertilizing the crop with a mixture that includes:
- 30 gr. superphosphate;
- 30 g of potassium fertilizer;
- 1 kg of black soil.
This amount of mixture is enough to feed one vine. Additionally, to boost the vine's immunity, water the vines with a solution prepared from 10 liters of water and dissolved phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The soil should be soaked to a depth of at least 25 cm with this solution. Various microelements can also be added to the composition of the feeding liquid:
- potassium permanganate;
- ammonium molybdate;
- boric acid;
- iodine.
Pruning a vineyard is a necessary measure that helps increase yields, improve fruit quality, and speed up the ripening process. Pruning the vine significantly simplifies the application. covering materialsIt's important to remember that this procedure can only be performed after the leaves have completely fallen. Pruning too early will result in a deficiency of plastic substances and increase the risk of the shrub breaking during the winter. Pruning the vine after frost is very problematic, as the branches become brittle and can be damaged in the wrong place. The optimal time is mid-September.
When carrying out such work, damaged and dried branches are removed. The removed parts of the vine should be burned to prevent the spread of the infection to healthy grapes.
The final stage of pruning involves trimming excess shoots that interfere with adequate light and ventilation. At least 30% of the vine's reserve buds should be left on the vine, as these will be useful in case of frost or rodent damage to the main branches. Immature shoots must be removed, as they will die during the winter and pose an additional source of infection in the spring.
Treatment against pests and possible diseases
After pruning, the vineyard should be treated with a special solution to rid the plant of pests and diseases. This will prevent the development of overwintering forms of pathogens and kill parasites living in the vines. One of the best solutions for killing infections is a soda-salt solution, prepared as follows:
- 10 tablespoons of salt are added to a ten-liter bucket of warm water;
- 5 tablespoons of baking soda are added to the resulting liquid;
- The composition is thoroughly mixed until the bulk components are completely dissolved.
The entire grapevine is treated, including the leaves and buds. To completely eradicate pests, the vine must be sprayed at least three times. The number of harmful insects living on the vine can be reduced by thoroughly digging the soil around the vine.
Immediately before covering the grapes for the winter, they should be treated with a solution consisting of 100 grams of copper sulfate and 10 liters of water. To repel mice, place a small container of carbide under the covering material. This substance effectively absorbs excess moisture, and the smell emitted when the carbide is moistened will repel rodents.
Protecting crops from frost
In the central and northern regions, winter frosts pose the main threat to grapevines. To protect vines during the cold season, it is necessary to insulate the vines. Non-woven materials, as well as wooden boards and boxes, can be used for this purpose. The choice of insulation is largely determined by the climatic conditions of the area. grapes are grown, as well as the vine variety itself. Over the past 10 years, varieties that tolerate low temperatures well have been developed.
Northern regions are home to numerous coniferous trees, so spruce or pine branches can be used to cover grapes. This material is highly breathable, preventing vine rot caused by high humidity. Furthermore, spruce branches reliably protect the vines from snow and offer excellent thermal insulation.
When growing grapes in trenches, it's best to use wooden boards as insulation. Once the vines are treated and laid in the trench, they are covered with wooden boards. The boards will fit loosely, allowing for adequate air circulation. As the wooden boards become covered with snow, the insulation properties of the shelter will improve. If freezing temperatures have already set in and no snow has yet fallen, the wooden boards should be covered with non-woven material to prevent heat loss.
Using polyethylene film as insulation is highly undesirable, as it is completely impermeable to water and air, which will inevitably lead to condensation and mold growth. Covering grapes is usually done in late October or early November.
Pre-winter preparations in various regions
When harvesting grapes for the winter in the middle zone, the first thing to do is to remove the leaves remaining on the vine. Next comes the trimming, which involves removing damaged and immature shoots. Grapes should be harvested for the winter on sunny days, when the chance of rain is minimal. In temperate climates, it's best to plant grapevines in holes 70 x 70 cm in diameter and about 20 cm deep, which will significantly simplify pre-winter preparations.
Pre-winter preparation of crops in the middle zone is divided into several stages:
- the processed sleeves are rolled up and placed in the hole;
- a container with carbide is placed on the bottom;
- The hole is covered with a wooden shield.
The methods for preparing grapes for winter in Ukraine and Belarus are no different from those used in central Russia, as the climatic conditions in these regions are quite similar. Preparing grapes for winter in the Urals or Siberia requires a more serious approach, due to the harsh winters in these regions.
To help the grapevine survive the cold winter, it will need to be pruned, which involves cutting back the dew-prone roots to a depth of 20 cm. The resulting hole should be filled with dry sand. After watering and fertilizing, the vines are rolled up and covered with pine branches or a wooden shield. Sawdust or dry tree leaves are used as additional insulation, spread on top of the branches or shield. To prevent them from being blown away by the wind, a single layer of spunbond is laid on top.
Preparing young grapes for winter is especially important. Young seedlings planted this year do not require pruning. Grape vines are pruned only in their second year. Preparing seedlings for winter eliminates the need for additional fertilizers, as the soil has already been fertilized. when planting vinesFertilizing a young vineyard should begin in its fourth year of life.
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Evgeny
The article is titled about grapes in the central climate, but they included a photo of a vineyard with a winter landscape, just like in the south. Or are grapes grown as standard trees in the central climate? Another gaffe. The article says pruning should be done after the leaves have completely fallen, and then there's a photo of two men pruning and pinning down vines with green leaves. You need to be more careful. And before publishing, you need to carefully review the article at least three times to avoid any questions later and build TRUST in the publication.