Planting grapes in central Russia for beginners

To ensure grapevines take root well, young seedlings need to undergo preliminary procedures. How to plant grapes correctly for a beginner: what soil is best for growing grapes, what to do before and after planting, how to water and when the plant does not need watering at all, what to fertilize, how to prune, and much more useful information about growing and caring for grapes.

What you need to know about planting

Before planting young grape seedlings in central Russia in a permanent growing location, they must undergo preliminary procedures and be prepared for planting.

Preparation

Young seedlings need to be hardened off before planting. For 14 days. seedlings It's essential to take the dog outside regularly. On the first day, it's best to keep the air conditioning to no more than 15 minutes. Then, increase the hardening time by half an hour each day.

For the first seven days, young shoots require protection from sunlight. For the remaining three days of hardening, it's best to keep the young grape shoots outdoors constantly. Frosts are an exception. In such cases, it's best not to expose the young grapes to sub-zero temperatures.

Pre-hardening procedures are essential. Young seedlings that aren't hardened off may take root poorly or not at all and may stop developing.

What soil should I choose for planting grapes?

Grapes are an unpretentious crop and can grow in middle zone Russia has a wide variety of soils. There are only two types of soil that are absolutely unsuitable for grapes: saline soil and soil with high groundwater levels (swampy soil). The best option is sandy and rocky soil. This type of soil prevents water stagnation, which is very beneficial for grape growth and development. This crop does not like high humidity.

Grapes are resistant to winter cold and can withstand temperatures down to -15-18°C, and some varieties even down to -25°C.

Choosing a location

When you choose a place for grape plantings, consider the following key points:

• This is a sun-loving crop. An area with a constant source of light is ideal for planting grapes in the main spot;
• The location where you plan to plant grapes should not be exposed to winds. This is especially true for the north side;
• southwest and west are the most favorable directions for planting grapes in central Russia;
• Level sites are best for growing grapes, but gentle slopes (southern and southwestern) are also acceptable. Lowlands and north-facing slopes are dangerous for grapes. In such areas, there is a high risk of damage to fruit buds by frost, which can occur in late spring.
• When choosing a planting site, consider what previously grew in that area of ​​the plot. Fruit plants are the best predecessors. If grapevines were already grown in the same area, then that part of the land is not suitable. Vegetables and flowers should first be grown in the area for several years.

Preparing the pit

Below are step-by-step instructions for preparing a planting hole:

1. Dig a hole measuring 60 x 60 cm. The depth of the hole should be 0.8-1 m.
2. Be sure to line the bottom of the hole with drainage. Since grapes prefer rocky soil, the drainage should consist of small brick fragments, pebbles, and crushed stone.
3. After the drainage layer, fill the hole with a mixture of sand, crushed stone, and fertile black soil. The proportions of the ingredients are as follows: sand – 0.5 bucket, crushed stone – 1 bucket, black soil – 3 buckets.
4. When planting grapes, be sure to adjust the soil's acidity. Dolomite flour or ash will help with this. Add them to the hole. If the soil is slightly acidic, you'll need 1 cup of dolomite flour and 1.5 cups of ash. For acidic soil, use 2 and 3 cups, respectively.
5. Add the final 25 cm layer of fertile soil.
6. Don't dump everything into the hole at once. Do it gradually, watering each layer and compacting it lightly with your hands.

Planting diagram

Grapes don't like being transplanted, so you should choose a permanent planting location from the start. Maintain the required distance between seedlings. This distance depends on the size of the vine:

• 3 m for long (from 2.5 m);
• 2 m for short (1.5 m);
• 1.5 m for single-vine plants.

The required distance between rows should also be maintained: 2-2.5 m. Other crops can be planted in these spaces. Strawberries and greens are the best companions for grapes.

Planting depth

The planting depth of seedlings will depend on the soil type:

• up to 45 cm if it is black soil or clay;
• up to 60 cm if it is sandy soil;
• up to 55 cm if it is loam or sandy loam.

If the groundwater level in your area is close to the surface of the earth, then consider the following points when planting:

• make high earth embankments (1.5 m wide and 0.5 m high);
• Line the bottom of the planting hole with slate. This will allow the plant's roots to rest against it and begin to grow outward. This will prevent the roots from growing deeper into the water.
• Create a special drainage system: dig two holes 1-1.5 m deep. The holes should be 1 m apart on both sides of the plant. Fill these holes with bricks, pebbles, or crushed stone.

When planting, fertilize the soil with complex minerals. It's also a good idea to add ash to the soil. This soil treatment will last for three years.

After the seedling is planted in the ground, it needs to be watered.

Initially, after planting the plant in its permanent location, you should water it with 1-2 buckets of water. After the soil has settled, refill the hole with soil and do not compact it. The soil should remain loose to ensure good air circulation.

After planting, mulch the hole. Fill it with dry leaves, straw, etc. This will help retain moisture and prevent it from evaporating too quickly.

Landing methods

Various planting methods can be used. Their differences lie in the different methods of preparing the planting site with different planting materials.

The classic way

With this planting method, you should dig a hole measuring 80 x 80 x 60 cm in the fall. It's best to do this in advance to prevent settling soil from damaging the seedlings.

Line the bottom of the hole with drainage material made of broken brick, crushed stone, and pebbles. The next layer should consist of sand, crushed stone, and fertile soil (ratio: 1 bucket/0.5 bucket/3 buckets). Also, be sure to adjust the soil's acidity with dolomite flour and ash (described above).

Before planting, trim the cutting. To do this, make a diagonal cut at the bottom, just below the bud. At the top, make a horizontal cut, 3-4 cm from the bud.

It's a good idea to use root growth stimulants (Epin, Kornevin, etc.). Dissolve the stimulants in water in a bucket and soak the cuttings for 2 days. After this time, transfer the cuttings to jars with plain, clean water. The first root shoots should appear within a month.

After the first roots appear, cuttings The plant should be transplanted into a seedling container. Fill it with soil to a depth of 5-7 cm. Don't forget to add a 2-3 cm layer of drainage material before the soil layer (described above).

Be sure to water the planted cuttings. Water frequently, but use small amounts.

With the classic method, transplant the prepared cuttings to their permanent location in May or June. The soil temperature should be your primary guide. It shouldn't be below 16°C. After planting, be sure to water with 1-2 buckets of warm water (the amount of water indicated is per plant) and mulch with a mixture of sand, sawdust, and dry soil.

On the trellis

Grapes are naturally climbing plants, so it's logical to use supports when growing them.

The essence of this growing method is as follows: place a support pole next to the planted bush. Stretch a wire between them.

You can choose the supports at your discretion. They can be made of wood or metal. Wooden ones will last about 20 years. However, steel posts are a better choice. The posts should be 50-100 mm in diameter, and the wire should be 2-5 mm.

On the ridges

This method is more suitable for northern territories.

If you are going to grow grapes using this method, you will need to do the following:

1. Dig a ditch of the following dimensions: length - 10 m; depth - 30 cm; width - 100 cm.
2. Prepare the soil for planting using the method described above.
3. Fill the trench with prepared fertilized soil. The height of the bed above ground level should be 35 cm.
4. Plant young grape shoots in a ridge of soil to a depth of 45 cm.
5. To water and fertilize the plant, use a piece of pipe that is immersed in the ditch.

Greenhouse planting method

Greenhouse method growing grapes This method will allow you to pick your first berries from the bushes earlier than usual. The warm climate promotes rapid fruiting. To plant a plant this way, you need to know the following:

• the planting soil is prepared in the same way as for all other planting methods;
• Before you plant grapes in a greenhouse, root the cuttings first. Place them in a small container. They should remain there until the first root shoots appear. A warm environment is most beneficial for root formation, so keep the cuttings in a warm place.
• When planting seedlings in a greenhouse, consider the distance between them. It should be at least 1.5 cm;
• Water and fertilize once every 7 days.

The Moldovan way

To plant grapes using this method, you'll need a branch at least 60 cm long. Follow the steps below:

1. Twist the grapevine several times into a ring. Secure the coils with rope.
2. Dig a deep hole and place the twisted vine there so that 1-2 buds remain on top.
3. Water as needed. The main thing to remember is that grapes don't like large amounts of water, but they also won't tolerate drought.

Planting using this method should be done in spring.

If you live in a region with hot, dry weather, consider a dense planting method. This method involves planting up to 7-8 bushes per square meter, without staking them as is the case with other methods.

Care

The steps you take after planting are no less important in the grape growing process. The longevity and fruitfulness of the plant depend on it.

Watering

After planting, the plant needs watering. Immediately after planting, water at a rate of 1-2 buckets per bush. Next, adjust the watering schedule according to the weather. A common watering rate is once every two weeks. If the weather is dry and hot, water more frequently. As noted earlier, use only warm water.

Fertilizers

The fertilizer you apply at planting will last for 2-3 years. Then, fertilize annually in the spring. You can use a mixture of potassium sulfate (10 g) and superphosphate (20 g).

Another fertilizer option: a mixture of superphosphate (30-50 g), potassium salt (15-20 g), and ammonium nitrate (25-30 g). Dilute this mixture in 5 liters of water. Use the recommended dosage per bush.

Trimming

Immediately after planting, prune the vine, leaving only two buds. This is necessary to ensure the formation of two new, strong shoots. Subsequently, prune the vine annually.

Preparing for winter

When cold weather sets in, the crop must be covered. Cover all varieties, regardless of whether they are winter-hardy or not.

Covering is done after the leaves have fallen and the first frost has set in. You can use a variety of materials for this:

• spruce branches;
• slate;
• agrofibre.

Protection of grapes during the winter period is carried out as follows:

1. Carefully remove the vine from the support and lay it on the ground. Be careful not to break any branches.
2. Be sure to put a protective layer on the ground: roofing felt, plastic, fiberglass.
3. Secure the laid grapes with low arches.
4. Place arches on top of the laid branches.
5. Place insulation on the arches, leaving an air space between it and the vines. Secure the edges of the material placed on top.

The insulation is removed in the spring, immediately after the snow melts.

Protection from pests and diseases

During the season, spray your bushes to protect them from various pests and diseases. This can be done with chemicals, which you can find at a gardening store, or with folk remedies.

To protect grapes from fungal diseases, spray them with Bordeaux mixture. Moths, flea beetles, and spider mites can also attack vineyards. To protect the plant from these pests, dissolve regular laundry soap in water (one packet of soap per 10 liters of liquid).

Don't forget to regularly weed your beds. This will be equally effective in preventing various diseases of your grapes.

By following all the instructions and tips above, you can plant grapes even without being a professional gardener. Love, attention, and care are the most important things you can give your small, fledgling vine. And then it will surely reward you with a rich and delicious harvest.