Grapes - a thermophilic plant that needs good insulation in the cold. Shelter of grapes for the winter is practiced even in the southern regions, taking care of the preservation of high-quality varieties, and in the middle and chernozem zone this technique is mandatory.
The first frosts come when the vegetation has not yet ended, so there is no natural fall of leaves on grapes.
By the time of shelter, overgrown shoots over the summer, it is necessary to accumulate the necessary amount of plastic substances, fully mature. The bark should be lignified, acquire a characteristic light brown color.
Before sheltering grapes for the winter, you need to start preparing the bushes for winter. Unripe shoots die even with minor frosts. There are special techniques to accelerate the ripening of the vines, this is especially true in cool and humid summers. For a successful wintering, it is necessary that at least 3-4 internodes are well ripened.
When to shelter grapes for the winter?
Send grapes to winter apartments begin depending on weather conditions. The approximate period for the middle band is October-early November. By the time of shelter, the first frost should pass. The vine, which has been quenched by cold, acquires a light brown hue.
The higher the winter hardiness of the variety, the lower the threshold temperature for shelter. For bushes of European selection with winter hardiness of the vine at 15-18 0 , the extreme permissible limit for shelter is a temperature of -4 0 . Modern hybrids withstand lower temperatures (-5-8 0 ).
A few days at a temperature of -10 0 C can lead to loss of the eye. Winter hardiness may fluctuate. So, if the bush gave a rich harvest, its resistance to frost is reduced.
Young plants cover first of all, before the onset of cold weather. Gardeners noticed that sheltering ahead of schedule did not have a negative effect on the vine. If it is not possible to visit the site at a later date, you can trim and shelter in early October.
Ways to shelter grapes for the winter
- The easiest method is earthen shelter. The soil should be light and loose, and cover with a cover of 30-40 cm. The earth should be taken away from the plant to prevent exposure of the roots.
- In areas with harsh climates, where there is little snow, there is the possibility of freezing of the roots. There, sheltering grapes for the winter is carried out in layers: on a 15-centimeter ground layer lay spruce branches or straw, then sprinkle with earth again.
- An air-dry shelter is recommended in the middle lane. Under the vine, a spruce or ruberoid is laid, then it is bent with brackets, a spruce or straw is again placed on top. A frame is placed above the shelter and covered with a film or roofing material. It can be replaced by a design of wooden panels.
- Tunnel film shelter: the vine is pinned to the ground, arcs are installed above it and tightened with a black plastic wrap. Due to the low cost and availability of materials, it is widely used, but has a drawback - the risk of aging. To prevent this, you can first put a layer of corrugated cardboard on the arcs, which absorbs excess moisture.
- Snow shelter is a simple, effective way to preserve the vine. Bushes bend to the ground and fall asleep 40-50 cm. Even European varieties winter well under a snow blanket, but the weather is unpredictable, and there are no guarantees that a lot of snow will fall.
- Shelter of grapes for winter with agrofibre prevents the development of necrosis. This breathable material prevents condensation from accumulating. It protects well from autumn and spring frosts, but in regions with severe winters it is not suitable as the main means of shelter. It can be used as the first layer of tunnel shelters.
It is impossible to cover grapes with foliage, sawdust, manure, household garbage.