In most of the territory of Russia (except, perhaps, the most southern regions), table or wine grape varieties cannot be grown without providing the vine with a reliable shelter from frost. Only a few hardy varieties can do without it. Therefore, the gardener needs to know when it is time to cover the grapes for the winter.
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Do all grape varieties need shelter?
First, briefly about the need for the procedure itself. Indeed, grapes are mostly thermophilic vine varieties that can die at temperatures below -10 ° C. However, there are different groups of varieties according to their cold resistance:
- Minimally cold-resistant - even mild frosts (-10 ° C) are dangerous for them.
- Slightly persistent - can survive temperatures down to -17 ° C.
- Medium resistance - they can survive outdoors at temperatures down to -21 ° C.
- Frost-resistant - able to keep eyes even at temperatures of -28-30 ° C.
Just the latter (Isabella, Taezhny, Alpha) can do without shelter. Also, decorative varieties grown to decorate walls, arbors, fences do not need shelter. However, this applies only to adult vines: even in frost-hardy young seedlings can freeze out. In general, if winters in your climate are mild, then it is better for adult winter-hardy vines to do without shelter.
You also need to take into account the microclimate on the site: it is possible that in winter it is colder than the average for your area. And, finally, you need to take into account the soil on which the vine grows: if the soil is sandy, the vineyards on it freeze out more, and even frost-resistant varieties need shelter on them.
When to start hiding
Choosing the exact time for laying the vine in the winter shelter is very important:
- If you are late, the grapes will freeze.
- If you cover ahead of time, then condensation will accumulate in the warmth, and the vine will simply vanish under the cover.
Therefore, usually in the middle lane, they begin to prepare grapes for wintering in late October - early November. You can focus on the current temperature. It should be somewhere between -5-8 ° C. If the thermometer falls below for at least a couple of hours, irreversible damage to the roots may begin.
As for young grape seedlings of the first two years after planting, the framework for it is more stringent: they begin to cover without waiting for zero temperatures. Young grapes are prepared for wintering when the thermometer begins to drop to + 1-2 ° C, it will not even survive the freezing point of water.
How to determine if the vine is ready for wintering
Grapes before covering:
- must shed the leaves (as a last resort, if, according to forecasters, severe frosts are approaching, the remaining ones can be cut off manually);
- should be slightly exposed to negative temperatures (at least -2-3 ° C). This is necessary so that in the shelter he does not suddenly “change his mind” and does not begin to develop again.
It is not recommended to cover the grapes ahead of time: if it suddenly gets warmer at least to zero, damping off may begin, and at positive temperatures, even the awakening and development of the plant.
Do you shelter grapes for the winter?
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