Autumn is the time to prepare the vineyard for winter. This is especially important in the middle lane, where, without human help, the vine is likely to die in winter. Let's figure out what exactly a gardener needs to do.
Pruning for the winter
The exact timing of pruning depends on the climate and the weather in the fall: work should be carried out on a dry, preferably clear day, so that no water gets on the sections and it is clearly visible which shoots need to be removed. In any case, this must be done after the leaves have completely fallen off (a few remaining and already dried ones can be removed manually), the sap flow stopped, and the vine became lignified - that is, after the first frosts, but before the onset of stable frost.
The vine is removed from the garters, sorted out and, for a start, the broken and diseased processes are cut off. Then remove all immature shoots, weak (that is, less than 5 mm in length), the remains of the whiskers and stepsons.
At the very end, cut off the arrows that have finished fruiting. If the vine still remains dense, then all unnecessary annual shoots are cut out - that is, growing from the ground or on a trunk. The remaining branches are shortened so that no more than 15 ocellular buds remain. Such a vine will winter better and it is easier to cover it for the winter.
All work is carried out with a sharp and sterilized (open flame or alcohol solution) instrument, large sections are covered with pitch.
Treatment against disease
After pruning is completed, you need to treat the grapes against rot and mold. The best remedy is a 3% solution of vitriol, iron or copper. Processing is carried out using a spray bottle or garden sprayer, if you need to process a large number of vines at once. Spraying is carried out only in dry weather: rain, even light rain, will wash off vitriol from the surface of the shoots.
The vitriol treatment not only avoids fungal and bacterial diseases. She will also scare away rodents in winter.
Shelter
When the vine is cut and etched, it must be carefully bent to the ground, tied in bunches using garden twine, and then pinned to the ground so that it does not straighten. After that, it is necessary to begin sheltering the grapes for the winter.
There are several ways to make a winter shelter for a bush.
Priming
The most elementary and cheapest way is to simply cover the bush with soil. The thickness of the layer should be at least 10 cm, and before the snow falls, add up to 30 cm. Such a shelter will help the grapes survive in freezing temperatures down to -20 ° C. However, it must be remembered that it is best to apply this method where the soil is sandy and crumbly. The heavy clay soil will simply suffocate the vine in winter.
Straw or sawdust
Another option is to sprinkle dry grass, hay or straw on the ground with a layer of about 10 cm, lay the vine on this "pillow", and add another 15-20 cm on top. In November - early December, it is necessary to increase the layer to 30-40 cm.
If dry shavings or sawdust are used, proceed in the same way, only they must immediately be trampled or covered with agromaterial so as not to be blown away by the wind. And it must be taken into account that it will not be possible to remove the sawdust completely, so some of it will remain in the soil and will decompose, taking nitrogen at the same time. Therefore, in the spring, under the vine, which was covered with sawdust, it is necessary to additionally add a dose of organic matter or nitrogen mineral fertilizers.
Lapnik
Small twigs of spruce or pine scare away rodents, and their resin prevents grapes from rotting. Lapnik is used as straw or sawdust, laying in a layer up to 40 cm in thickness.
Combination
All types of shelters can be used together with each other. For example, put the grapes on a layer of sawdust, cover it with spruce branches or sprinkle it with soil, and lay a layer of straw on top of it.
The main thing in this case is not to use materials that do not allow air to pass through. Otherwise, there is a risk that when the temperature drops, moisture will collect inside, and the eyes will be blown out.
Snow
Even grape varieties that endure winter (usually pink and red) love warmth. Therefore, if severe frosts are expected, they can be covered with a layer of snow, throwing it up throughout the winter.
Read also: All do not care! How to deal with blackening and curling of pear leaves?
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