How to cover grapes for the winter in the Urals?

The protection of southern vines grown in closed and open ground conditions from severe frosts is practically the same in all regions of the Central European Plain.

Therefore, novice gardeners can successfully use all methods of covering grapes for the winter in the Urals:

• using non-woven materials;
• with available means;
• in a polycarbonate greenhouse;
• covered with earth in a trench.

Once the wine berry harvest has been completed, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures aimed at preserving the vines during the harsh winter months:

1. Water the bushes thoroughly.
2. Spray with a weak solution of copper sulfate.
3. Cut off the side shoots to trunks with dense bark.
4. Use garden pruning shears to trim off excess length from fruiting branches.

[sc name=»info-dashed» text=»The length of the remaining vines depends on the grape variety, you should consult a specialist about this – some varieties are cut almost to the root.»]

Other varieties will only need to be trimmed slightly and tied into bundles in several places with a wide strip of non-woven material before covering the grapes for the winter in the Urals. Step-by-step photos will show novice gardeners the correct methods for preparing their bushes for the cold.

The easiest way to cover

If the bushes were initially planted in deep holes, ordinary garden soil will help preserve the vines for the next harvest.

1. Along the trellis, dig a trench of sufficient length and width, so that the formed sleeve can be laid freely on its bottom.
2. Place the tied vines in a hole and cover with soil to a height of 30-40 cm.
3. Leave the ends of the ditch uncovered to prevent warming from causing mold and mildew to grow on the branches.

After snow falls, pile it as high as possible onto the earthen shelters. If the winter is dry and there is no precipitation, cover the earthen shelters with any insulation material—burlap, plastic film, or non-woven materials (such as spunbond or agrofibre).

[sc name=»info-hand» text=»In the first year of planting, gardeners recommend not to carry out autumn pruning of side shoots and leave all the vines - future cold weather and difficulties in climate change will help to identify the strongest, most viable grape shoots.»]

Air-dry method

To prevent the coming cold from damaging the delicate plant, it is common practice to cover the bushes, keeping the branches slightly suspended:

1. Place wooden planks or slab planks along the trellises, supported by pieces of wooden beams.
2. Bend the branches tied into a bundle so that there is a distance of 10-15 cm to the decking, and secure the bushes with special pins or hooks made of steel wire.
3. Place dried fruit tree cuttings left over from spring crown thinning on top.
4. Fill the structure with dry sawdust or oak leaves. You can also use spruce or pine branches to help maintain ventilation inside the shelter.
5. Cover the entire structure with any insulation material—roofing felt, film, or slate. The ends of the structure should only be sealed tightly when the temperature remains consistently below -5°C.

There's no need to rush to insulate your grapes—light frosts stimulate the bark to harden, and the vines will enter winter more robust. Bark is more resistant to mold and fungus than the tender green skin of young shoots.

In the spring, with this method of insulating the grapes, you'll only need to remove the seal, leaving the sawdust and leaves on the vine bundle. This will help the bush recover gradually and protect the plant from sunburn.

To help the grapevine roots awaken and pump sap up the branches faster in the spring, install pipes around the trunks. Once the snow melts and the temperature reaches a constant above-zero level, fill the pipes with warm water. This nourishment helps the vines better withstand sudden frosts in the Urals.

How to cover in a greenhouse?

Gardeners who don't want to be at the mercy of the Ural summer's surprises try to grow early vine varieties indoors. This makes preparing for the cold somewhat easier, as it allows for greater control over the situation and a higher chance of success.

Before insulating bushes in a greenhouse, standard preparation should be carried out:

• trim off the stepsons;
• shorten fruiting shoots;
• feed the root system;
• Spray the branches with a weak solution of copper sulfate.

You can also insulate your bushes in damp weather—greenhouse conditions protect the plant from excess moisture, which can cause fungus or mold on the shoots:

1. Tie all the vines into a single bundle. If the grapes have dense bark, bending them to the ground will be difficult, so vertical insulation will be necessary. For this, it's best to use agrofibre or spunbond – cover the bunches with 2-3 layers.
2. Polyethylene film for vertical shelters is not suitable for winter – it does not allow air to pass through and collects condensation, which is harmful to buds in cold conditions.
3. If the plant's shoots lie easily and do not crack at the bends, they can be tied along the lower trellis, after trimming the side shoots.

Build a frame from available materials and stretch polyethylene film over it. The ends of the grape shelter remain open for ventilation until the temperature drops to -5°C (-5°F) consistently. Non-woven materials, which don't require an additional, rigid base, are increasingly being used instead of film.

[sc name=»info-dashed» text=»The most important thing when using polyethylene to cover grapes for the winter in the Urals is to prevent the vines from coming into contact with its surface.»]

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