Augustine Grapes: Growing and Care Tips

"Augustin" is a table grape variety that even a novice gardener can grow. These undemanding plants tolerate adverse climates and can produce fruitful harvests in less-than-favorable conditions. These qualities also attract professional winegrowers.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Growing "Augustin" on an industrial scale is only possible in southern Russia. The temperate continental climate of the Krasnodar Krai offers ideal growing conditions. On a smaller scale, the variety is successfully grown in home gardens and vegetable plots throughout the country. Its early ripening period and good frost resistance allow for abundant harvests even in northern regions.

Ripening period of "Augustin"

Speed ​​of ripening is one of the main advantages of "Augustin." The ripening period is very short, just 115 days, making it an ultra-early variety. If spring arrives on time, without delays, ripe berries can be picked as early as August.

Characteristic features of the grape tree

The Augustine plant is a vigorous and vigorous perennial vine. Therefore, it is often planted by gardeners not only for its berries but also for ornamental purposes. Its rapid growth is used to decorate green arbors or verandas. The vine has a noble reddish-brown color, but it is difficult to see behind the large mass of dark green leaves. The leaf blades have a beautiful, almost rounded shape with three barely visible lobes. The underside of the leaves is slightly pubescent, while the upper surface is smooth and even.

The vigorous bush produces new shoots well, which root quickly, mature well, and form two inflorescences. The flowers of "Augustine" are bisexual, so the variety produces fruit without pollinators. This robust grape tree can easily support a large number of berry clusters. The bushes begin bearing fruit as early as the second year after planting.

Another advantage of this variety is its excellent frost resistance; the plants easily tolerate frosts down to -25 degrees.

Description of berries and purpose of the variety

Augustine berries average 6-8 grams in weight and are elongated-oval in shape. This indicates the variety's large fruit size. The grapes are gathered into large, conical clusters, weighing between 500 grams and one kilogram. The berries are mostly uniform in size and are loosely arranged, giving the clusters an even fuller appearance. The berries are primarily white in color, gradually turning to yellow with an amber hue as they fully ripen and are exposed to sunlight.

The Augustin grape has a harmonious flavor, sweet without being astringent, pleasant and refreshing. The skin is quite firm, but not noticeable when eating. The flesh is firm yet juicy, containing 4-6 large seeds. A distinctive feature of this variety is its ability to accumulate sugar in the berries, reaching 20% ​​in all weather conditions. This is highly prized in regions where the sun is not a frequent guest.

Its dense structure allows the berries to be transported over long distances without losing their flavor or marketability. This property, combined with its frost resistance, makes the "Augustin" variety popular in virtually every professional vineyard.

Gardeners use the berries primarily for fresh consumption, as well as for making various berry treats. A unique flavor is achieved by adding "Augustin" to compotes. Compotes made from pure grapes of this variety are brewed without sugar or with a small amount of honey, which makes the drink even more delicious and beneficial. And of course, every gardener knows that excellent white wine can easily be made from table grapes at home.

Productivity

The variety's yield is very high, regardless of the growing region. The plants are highly flexible and adapt to any growing conditions, even the most challenging ones. On average, a mature bush yields around 40 kg. However, according to gardeners, it can sometimes exceed 60 kg. When grown commercially, one hectare of vineyard can yield around 130-140 centners of marketable berries.

Advantages of the Augustin grape

• grapes begin to bear fruit in the second year of planting;
• the variety is undemanding to soil composition and climatic conditions;
• good resistance to low temperatures and fungal diseases;
• large size of berries and bunches;
• excellent taste and commercial qualities;
• early maturity;
• The grapes are distinguished by stable and rich fruiting.

Disadvantages of the Augustin grape

• a vigorous plant that requires annual shaping and pruning;
• The berries have large seeds.

Subtleties of agricultural technology

If the planting and care rules are followed, the "Augustina" bush can grow and bear fruit for more than 50 years in one place, without replanting.

Landing rules

Augustine seedlings can be planted in early May or in the fall, a month before the expected frost. Choose a sunny, wind-protected location for the vine. The plant thrives best near the south wall of a house or other building. This way, the vines will be exposed to the sun for most of the day.

The variety is undemanding regarding soil composition and can grow in any location. The exceptions are waterlogged and saline soils. Fertile, loose soil is ideal for grapes. These qualities can be achieved by adding various materials, such as sand or humus.

The planting pit is dug two months before planting. It should be approximately 90 cm wide and about one meter deep. A drainage layer (broken brick or crushed stone) must be placed at the bottom of the pit. Then, install the irrigation pipe. A plastic pipe approximately 1.5 meters long is suitable for this. One end of the pipe should rest on the drainage layer, and the other end should protrude above the ground.

The hole is filled with nutritious soil and left to settle naturally. After this time, the grapes are planted. The seedlings are already well-rooted and planted to the correct depth, with a large lump of soil. Therefore, when planting, simply ensure the correct orientation of the vine relative to the soil surface.

The final stage of planting is compacting the soil and watering the seedling (1 bucket of water).

Vineyard care

In the first year of planting, the grapevines are watered superficially, sprinkling the area around the trunk. One bucket of water is used per vine. The water should be warm and settled. Starting in the second year, water the vines through an installed irrigation pipe. This irrigation method forces the vine's root system deeper into the soil, thereby protecting the plant from freezing. The watering rate is increased to two buckets, applied in several doses.

Fertilizing is an important and necessary procedure. A vigorous plant will quickly absorb all the nutrients from the soil and, without additional feeding, will begin to experience micronutrient deficiencies. The berries will initially become smaller, and in the worst case, fruiting may cease. Furthermore, a "starved" plant is more susceptible to disease and insect attacks. Fertilizing the soil in a vineyard begins in the third year of planting. Experts recommend following the following schedule:

• in early spring (beginning of April) the bushes are watered with a solution of superphosphate or slurry;
• before flowering, substances similar to the first feeding are used;
• after flowering, add ammonium nitrate in dry or liquid form;
• In the autumn months (after harvesting), the grapes are fed with complex mineral fertilizer.

Bush formation

Training of the "Augustina" bush should begin in the second year of planting. In midsummer, the shoots are pinched back, leaving 5-6 leaves on each. Subsequently, each gardener chooses a suitable training pattern based on their preferences and climate. This can be a fan, standard, or arbour shape. It's important to remember that this variety tends to produce a large number of ovaries, so to ensure a high-quality harvest, no more than one cluster per shoot should be left.

Disease prevention and pest control

The Augustin grape variety has good resistance to fungal diseases. However, it is still susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a well-maintained vineyard and carefully monitor the condition of the vines. To prevent these diseases, treat the plants with a sulfur solution or Bordeaux mixture in early spring.

Harvesting

'Augustin' is a table grape variety, harvested selectively, picking individual bunches as they ripen. The bunches are cut with sharp pruning shears in dry, clear weather. Fresh grapes of this variety can be stored for up to two weeks. To do this, place them in wooden boxes lined with food paper and store in a cool place.

Preparing for winter

Preparation for the winter season depends on the grape growing region. In southern regions, where severe frosts are rare, there is no need to cover the vines. In regions with harsh winters and little snow, the plant requires covering. To do this, all shoots are removed from their supports and carefully bent to the ground. Arches can be installed over the laid vines and covered with a thick spunbond. Alternatively, the vines can simply be covered with soil, but it is important not to remove soil from the planting site to avoid exposing the roots. When the first snow falls, an artificial snowdrift can be created on the covered vines.

Gardeners often believe that growing grapes on their own plot is difficult, if not impossible, citing the crop's capricious nature. "Augustin" completely disproves this myth. Easy to care for, resistant to low temperatures and diseases, this variety will reward even the most inexperienced gardener with a bountiful harvest.

Reviews

Albina, Yarovoe

I purchased the "Augustin" vine from a local grape grower. The seedling was two years old and quite developed. I planted it in the spring, and the bush didn't grow much in size the first year. But in the second year, the shoots began growing vigorously early in the spring, and each vine produced a single cluster. The berries ripened by mid-August. The taste was completely satisfactory. I honestly didn't expect to harvest grapes so easily in our weather conditions in the second year of planting.

Natalia, Moscow region

An excellent, high-yielding variety. It's been growing at our dacha for about six years. The bush is now very large. We built a six-tiered wooden trellis for it. In the fall, we bend the shoots to the ground and cover them well with spruce branches, and in the spring, we straighten them out and tie them to a support in a fan shape. The clusters are very large, weighing 600-700 grams, sometimes more. The berries are large, fleshy, with seeds, but very sweet and juicy. I especially like that there's no muscat flavor.