Grapes are not the most moisture-demanding crop. However, this does not mean that he can do without watering at all. If it is a hot dry summer, there will be no berry harvest without additional moisture. Therefore, we will figure out how to properly water the vine in the summer.
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Summer watering rules
When choosing a watering mode, consider the following:
- The amount of precipitation. In cloudy rainy weather, the vine is not watered - on the contrary, measures must be taken to drain the vineyard and avoid stagnant water and decay. If there is a drought, watering is needed every 10-14 days.
- The structure and composition of the soil. Moisture should penetrate to a depth of 30-40 cm at least (or better - up to 60 cm: the vine has deep roots). Therefore, less water is required on sandy soil, but watering is carried out more often. On clay and rocky soil, they water less often - but abundantly.
- The age of the vine. The younger it is, the more often you need to water it. Young saplings require watering once a week in the summer, and the old "mother" vine can, if it rains at least once every two to three weeks, not irrigate at all.
- Grape sort. There is a big difference between table and wine varieties, between red and white grapes, etc. Here you need to look at the recommendations for each specific variety.
However, there are some common points. They boil down to the following:
- Watering is mandatory after the grapes have bloomed and the berries have begun to set. A good harvest cannot be expected here without water.
- At the end of July, you also need to thoroughly wet the soil under the roots of the grapes.
- In August, when ripening is in progress, watering is reduced to a minimum: the berries need to dry out slightly, with excess moisture, they will be watery, unsweetened and not suitable for treats or for making guilt.
- If the variety ripens by mid-autumn, it still needs to be watered in August.
Signs of excess and lack of moisture
Both drying out and excessive moisture are dangerous for the vine and the crop. If ripening berries become too soft to the touch, watering should be stopped. Otherwise, there is a risk of cracking the berries and infection of the bush with rot. In general, in summer, they usually watered once a month with normal rainfall, with extreme heat and drought - once a week.
If the grapes lack moisture, the following symptoms appear:
- Yellowish spots on the leaves, dried yellow edges.
- The tops of the lashes dry up.
- The berries do not ripen so much as they dry in the sun.
The most reliable indicator of a lack of moisture is weeds, which inevitably grow in the near-trunk circle of the vine: if they are completely dry, watering is definitely needed.
What and how to water
Grapes do not like cold water, so they are usually watered in summer from containers heated in the sun. One 200-liter barrel is enough for 3-4 grape roots. If it is not possible to heat the water, it should at least be allowed to settle: grapes treat chlorine in tap water even worse than cold liquid.
The amount of water required for irrigation is:
- under normal conditions - 50-70 liters per 1 sq. m;
- during a drought - 80-100 liters for the same area.
Watering can be done in several ways:
- Into the furrows dug in the aisles. The furrow should be 15-25 cm deep and about 40 cm wide. From the furrow to the root of the vine should be no more than 50-60 cm.
- Into the grooves around the bush. This method is suitable for growing one or two bushes on the site. Then a hole is made around the trunk, where water is poured.
Watering is best done with a watering can. It is permissible to use a hose, where water from the barrel heated in the sun is supplied. The pressure should be such that the jet does not erode the soil, but is absorbed into the soil.
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