How to cover grapes for the winter in the first and second years after planting?

Proper preparation for the winter period will help to preserve the annual and two-year grape shoots from freezing.

Many beginning gardeners are concerned about the question of how to cover grapes for the winter, so that it survives the cold and continues to develop in the spring. There are several effective methods that can help a plant withstand any low temperature.

When do you need to cover grapes for the winter?

First, it is necessary to determine what climatic features are characteristic of the region. Usually, the period of "hibernation" in grapes lasts an average of six months. In the southern climatic zones, at rest, the plant spends less time.

Early sheltering of grapes can harm the vine. Since during this period, it can be replenished with necessary substances and trace elements. And if the autumn months are too warm, then in their shelter the grapes can simply overheat and rot.

Late shelter leads to freezing of young shoots.

Therefore, the first autumn frosts (-1-3 degrees) are a signal to the beginning of wrapping up the vineyards.

Of particular danger is a decrease in temperature from -5 to -8 degrees, because these days the buds on the vine can completely freeze.

Specialists divide varieties by degree of frost resistance into 5 groups:

1. High endurance - grape varieties that can withstand temperatures drop to -28 degrees, with 80-100% preservation of the eyes.
2. Increased resistance - varieties that can withstand temperatures of -26 degrees, and in this case 60-80% of the eyes remain.
3. Average resistance - varieties that are able to maintain 40-60% of the eyes when the temperature drops to -21 degrees.
4. Weak resistance - grape varieties withstand a temperature drop of -17, while almost 100% of the eyes die.

There are varieties that have their own unique properties and fit the description of several groups.

Frost resistance of different parts of the bush:

• The root system is the most vulnerable part of the grape. Canteen and technical varieties are able to withstand a temperature drop of -9 degrees, and root crops - up to -14 degrees.
• Sleeping kidneys are the most stable, but the lateral and main ones are most affected by the cold.
• Young shoots are not frost-resistant, but perennial wood is able to withstand low temperatures.

If in winter the temperature drops below -24 degrees, then all grape varieties take cover. Frost-resistant varieties can not be wrapped up at a temperature that does not fall below -20 degrees.

Preparations for the shelter of plants

Before sheltering young grapes, it is necessary to carry out such preparatory steps as:

• A month before wrapping up, remove all the fruits from the bush.
• Then trim: remove plant debris and dried shoots.
• Remove the vines from the trellis, twist them into bundles and tie them up with twine.
• To avoid fungal and other diseases, the plant is treated with copper sulfate.
• 3-5 days before shelter, the soil around the bush is watered abundantly for several weeks with water (at least 20 buckets per plant). Dried ground freezes faster than wet ground. Evaporating, the water will warm the root system of the grapes.

After the work done, determine how the grapes will be covered for the winter.

How to properly shelter young grapes for the winter in the first and second year after planting?

Different grape varieties have their own individual shelter features. For example, in the southern regions you can not hide the grapes, which can withstand temperatures of -25 degrees.

However, professional gardeners claim that in the first and second year after planting, grapes must be wrapped for the winter. The bush is sheltered at the end of September in cold climatic zones, and at the end of October - in the southern regions of Russia.

The most optimal way to shelter young shoots is the earthing method. They are covered with earth, the height of the embankment is not more than 0.3 m.

A few general recommendations for harboring young shoots:

• The main thing is to protect the roots from low temperatures. Therefore, they must be well covered.
• Cuttings and shoots require careful treatment with protective agents to avoid infection by harmful microorganisms and other diseases.
• Covering young shoots with foil, they do not fall asleep on top of the ground.
• You can not use grape leaves for wrapping, as they can be carriers of viruses.

Preparing plants for winter without digging in the ground

In addition to the classical method of covering grapes with earth, there are less common methods:

1. Shelter Shelter. Vines of grapes are bound and laid on the ground. Top with leaves, sawdust, hay or cover with burlap. Then lay the slate, resting on each other. So that he does not move out, the base is strengthened with bricks or stones.
2. Shelter with wooden shields. To use this method, it is necessary to knock down boards from boards in advance. You can use pallets or wooden boxes. On the inside, shields, pallets or boxes can be beaten with roofing material, or covered with it on top. This design will last more than one year. As in the first case, the vines are tied and covered with leaves, straw or sawdust.
3. Shelter film. This method is similar to the construction of a conventional greenhouse. I lay the vines on the ground. They fill up with organic material: hay, leaves, sawdust. Arcs of metal rods are placed on top of them. Top cover with polyethylene, the ends of which are pressed with stones or bricks. For airing, holes are made in the film to avoid decay of the plant.

Before using any of these methods, the vine should be whitewashed with lime.

A few more ways to shelter grapes

How to wrap grapes, each gardener chooses their own.

There are such methods of shelter, such as:

• Hilling.
• Half shelter.
• Full shelter.
• Dry shelter.
• Covering the ground.

Partial Shelter of Grapes

Hilling is the easiest and not time-consuming way to protect plants from frost. So the height of the embankment should be from 0.1 m to 0.3 m. This method will protect the root, but not the ground parts of the plant.

Half-shelter involves wrapping only part of the grape (head, sleeve, start of escape). As a covering material use hay, film or cloth. Layer thickness 4 cm.

How to cover the grapes with earth?

Covering a plant with earth is the most popular and common method.

The effectiveness of the method depends on a number of factors:

• Depth of dug ditches.
• The height of the layer of earth poured from above.
• Soil moisture.

Ideal conditions for wintering grapes is a depth of 0.4 m, and the height of the embankment is 0.2 m. If you do not adhere to these conditions, then the kidneys may freeze.

It is important to remember that due to precipitation and rising temperatures, the earth embankment can be significantly reduced.

To avoid debate, the vine should not be in contact with the topsoil. Therefore, any improvised material is placed on top of the lashes: slate, boards.

Dry shelter in the Urals and Siberia

This method of shelter involves the subsequent implementation of the following steps:

1. The vine is cut, rolled up and put on a layer of sawdust or spruce branches. This will help keep the grapes dry and protect against rodents.
2. Covering material or an old blanket is placed on top.
3. Then they fall asleep with a layer of dry foliage.
4. Metal arcs are placed on top and covered with a film.
5. The film must have openings so that the grape bush can breathe.

At the first thaws, the polyethylene is removed so that the plant does not rot. And the whole structure is taken apart at the end of April. Sawdust can be mixed with the ground to rot and become fertilizer for grapes.

By choosing the right time and material for sheltering, you can protect the grape bush from freezing and various diseases.