Everyone knows that grapes need to be properly prepared for the cold, but not everyone realizes that winter hardiness depends on the state of the bush. In this article: what factors affect freezing, how to increase winter hardiness and how to cover grapes so that they overwinter without damage.

In the previous article “Smart Vineyard: Basics of the Basics”, we talked about the fact that there are varieties that are winter-hardy, that is, those that do not even need to be covered for the winter, and those that do not tolerate frost and require reliable shelter. The eyes of winter-hardy grapes, on average, withstand temperatures of minus 12-15 degrees for a long time, and 20 degrees of frost for one to two weeks. Perennial wood of such varieties is able to withstand a decrease to minus 27 degrees. It should be noted that these indicators are typical for bushes in good condition, that is, with powerful roots and well-developed mature vines.

Practice shows that no matter what winter hardiness indicators a variety has, if the grape bush is overloaded, sick or suffers from a lack of moisture, sunlight and heat, then even well-covered, it will freeze and lose young vines, and hence the harvest of next year. AT this case the main rule should be understood - the winter hardiness of grapes is always determined by the state of the bush. Let's see what needs to be done to increase the resistance of grape bushes to frost.

Why does the bush freeze

Almost the entire actively growing part of the root system ( thin roots and root hairs) dies off in winter and gives up its substances to thicker roots. Only the part that has managed to stiffen remains alive, that is, the roots are not thinner than 1-1.5 mm. In the spring, they will sprout again with thin layering, and the development of the root system will continue.

For the normal development of the roots, it is extremely necessary to have a sufficient amount nutrients, which are given to the above-ground part of the grapes during the deterioration of conditions to overcome stressful situations(dry wind, jumps temperatures, severe frost). If in the summer the bush was overloaded, sick or lacked heat, the roots will not receive nutrients, which means that in winter they will not be able to help the grapes survive the frost. Experienced growers believe that to protect the roots it is necessary to mulch the soil in the vineyard. Organic mulch will be useful for all varieties, as it can protect the earth from rapid freezing.

The most lively and tender parts of the bush are the eyes, they live, breathe and evaporate moisture constantly, except for the time of freezing. Three factors can threaten grape eyes. Firstly, these are sharp jumps in temperature from warm to frost, which usually occurs on clear nights and is accompanied by the appearance of frost. Practice shows that in this case, the endurance of the kidneys is significantly reduced. Secondly, frosty temperatures, accompanied by a dry wind, can greatly harm the eyes. Under such conditions, the vines are very dry, and freezing of the eyes is accelerated. Third dangerous factor for the kidneys, long-term icing of the vines is considered. The eyes can withstand a day under a layer of ice without problems, but then there is a danger that they can suffocate.

bushes resistant varieties with mature wood and a developed root system, they will survive the winter without problems. However, it is not always possible to plant such a variety, and the fruits of such grapes are much inferior in taste. Therefore, experienced specialists have developed a number of rules to make the bushes already available in the vineyard as winter-hardy as possible.

How to increase winter hardiness

As we have already found out, healthy, well-developed grapes with strong roots survive the cold best. In order for the bush to develop well, it is necessary to observe during the season certain rules for care, which will increase the resistance of the vine to cold:

1. First of all, you need to pay Special attention the moment to provide the grapes optimal load. How to do it right, we told in the article "Smart vineyard: shaping on a trellis or gazebo". An overloaded bush does not develop well, since all the forces are spent on the ripening of the clusters. Such grapes do not allow the roots to stock up on the necessary amount of nutrients for wintering. An underloaded bush throws out powerful fat vines, but they will not be distinguished by good frost resistance, as practice shows that vines of medium strength are the most resistant to cold, which received maximum sunlight during the summer. Therefore, it is necessary to load the bush so that there are as many of them as possible.
2. There is no doubt that ripen the best way grapes can only be in the sun, even with the slightest shading, the vine does not develop normally - the wood of such a bush will be watery and loose and will not be able to accumulate the necessary nutrients.
3. To increase winter hardiness, it is recommended to ensure that the grapes do not get sick throughout the season. The most dangerous disease in this sense is mildew, which causes the death of leaves. And if the leaf dies, it provokes the growth of stepchildren from sleeping eyes. Such shoots, as a rule, do not ripen until autumn, and the vine may die already from the first frosts in November.
4. Helps increase resistance to cold proper nutrition. As you know, potassium is the main anti-stress substance for grapes. Therefore, experts recommend adding under each bush during the season wood ash(average bucket per season). But grapes overfed with nitrogen will be very pampered and will give fat and lop-sided shoots that are unlikely to resist severe frosts.
5. Properly moistened soil under it will help improve the frost resistance of the bush. Dry earth cools and freezes very quickly, while wet earth has a high heat capacity and smoothes for a long time. Negative influence low temperatures. In addition, the eyes need moisture for normal breathing and development. However, it should be noted that it is necessary to start moistening the soil under the bushes in October-November, and in no case should grapes be poured in the middle of summer, as frequent watering at this time can provoke the growth of young shoots that do not have time to ripen before winter. Well, what is fraught with, we have already discussed.

So, from the foregoing, it is clear that in order for vine bushes to be able to better withstand frost, it is necessary to give them an optimal load, provide maximum sunlight, protect against diseases, and properly feed and water.

How to cover grapes for the winter

growing on most household plots grapes are either not covered at all, or carefully dug into the ground. There are simpler, but no less effective ways. Let's look at some of them.

For example, you can simply pull a bush off the gazebo, cut it off, pile it up and lightly throw it with earth. Various home-made hooks made of rebar or thick wire will help to press the grapes well to the ground. Experts believe that it is enough to cover a bush pressed in this way with a layer of earth of 3-5 cm. Main danger for grapes in winter it consists in strong dry winds at low air temperatures, and if your bushes grow in a calm place, then you don’t need to sprinkle them for the winter - just press them to the soil. Also, instead of the earth, in this case, you can use various improvised materials - corn stalks, straw, weeds. It should be noted that what wetter soil, to which the grapes are pressed, the less the risk of freezing.

Many believe that it is impossible to cover the grapes with a film - it will get worn out. It's a delusion. You just need to wrap it up not tight so that the air circulates freely. The film can cover both trellis bushes and bushes on the gazebo.

Grapes growing on trellises should be cut off, put on the ground, covered with a film on top, which should be pressed down with pieces of earth along the edges. Arbor bushes that need to be covered must be collected in a bundle and freely wrapped with pieces of polyethylene - left in this form right on the arbor.

Well-developed and mature high-stem bushes on trellises can not be lowered to the ground, but wrapped with a film right on the spot. The basic rule in this case is that the winding should not be tight and tight, so that on sunny winter days the grapes do not overheat and suffocate. Wrap with polyethylene freely, leaving small gaps for ventilation. Some experts use roofing material, tarpaulin, rubber, as well as specially made boxes from boards to shelter grapes.

When preparing grapes for winter, the question may arise: when should the bushes be cut? Experts recommend that those bushes that require shelter be cut in the fall, since it is quite difficult to work with uncircumcised ones. But those that you do not plan to wrap, cut better in early spring before the start of sap flow, as practice shows that uncut, uncovered grapes are better able to withstand low temperatures.

When preparing grape bushes for winter, you need to understand the main thing - well-ripened healthy grapes will endure adverse winter conditions much easier. Therefore, the main task in this case is to create optimal conditions for the growth and development of the bush throughout the season. The right load, maximum heat and sun, protection from diseases, as well as optimal watering and nutrition will allow the grapes to retain more vitality and survive the winter more easily.

Related videos

Any plants in the autumn-winter period go into a dormant state, which lasts from 4 to 6 months. - not an exception. He is dangerous not only from severe frosts, but also from unexpected thaws, which can cause sap flow and resume life processes in the plant ahead of time. Alternating decreases and increases in temperature are fraught with the complete destruction of their bushes.

So that young shoots of grapes do not die from severe winter frosts, they must be insulated for the winter. The quality and quantity of the harvest by the end depends on well-conducted and timely work. summer season. There are many nuances and secrets that allow you to save the root system of the vineyard and get a lot of juicy and large bunches.

Before starting work, it is important to determine which of the existing methods will be optimal. Each of them is characterized by its own advantages and disadvantages. To properly cover the grapes for the winter, gardeners usually use three methods:

Hilling

The first method - hilling - is used when growing newly planted cuttings and new vines. Dense earthen mounds up to 30 cm in height are made around them. This method, the least expensive and not the most laborious, is only suitable for covering young grapes for the winter. In those climatic zones, where there are no temperature drops and severe frosts, in the same way it is quite possible to cover adult plants for the winter, but be sure to wrap their tops as well. The absence of severe frosts will allow unprotected buds to survive and not die.

Vineyard semi-cover

Vineyard semi-covering is the second way to protect plants for the winter, in which the crown, located up to 20-30 cm above the soil level, is covered with earth. The rest of the crown is draped with a film, straw or dense fabrics. The thickness of such a protective suit should be no more than 4-5 cm. This method can cover both annual vineyards and plants in those regions in which the climate is warm and frost will not destroy the crown. But if the part of the bush that was left unprotected is exposed to severe frost, the grapes will completely die.

As you can see, both methods have drawbacks. And here it is worth remembering that there are actually three of them ... As you can already guess, the third method is the most correct. This is true! Therefore, it’s time to tell you how to properly cover the grapes for the winter in order to guarantee its safety as much as possible.

Complete vineyard cover

Because the most reliable way- complete cover. To do this, the vines must be completely removed from the trellis. Then defoliation is performed - the artificial removal of the remaining leaves from the grapes. The shoots that remain above the ground must be collected in a bundle and gently pressed to the ground. You can cover the bushes with the help of old blankets, unnecessary clothes. You can use a film on top, but not everyone uses it. The point is this. The film creates a pronounced greenhouse effect. When using it, it is important to ensure that the kidneys are not covered with insulating material, otherwise they will rot in mild frosts, and at the first spring rays they will simply burn through the film, like through a magnifying glass, especially if water collects in it. Therefore, instead of it, press down the vines with boards with slabs and throw earth on top. So you better designate a place to save the vines and release them faster in the spring. In addition, there will be no strong rotting.

So, in the summer it is important to thin out the vineyards in a timely manner, removing stepchildren. First of all, frost will hit the young shoots that will remain for the winter. They won't get required amount moisture and draw strength from the rest of the bush. Throughout the warm season, the grapes should have enough lighting. It is also important to remove ripe bunches in a timely manner.

Timely preparation of grapes for winter does not mean wrapping them up with the very first drops in the temperature column. On the contrary, the first frost can harden the plant, having a positive effect on maturation in the next season. When the temperature drops below -2-3 degrees, it is already worth urgently starting to cover the shoots. It is important to remember: the grape vine is able to withstand frost down to -23 degrees, and the roots will not tolerate drops down to -10 degrees. Why the rush then? Do you think that the roots of grapes are in the ground and frost does not threaten them ?! It seems yes, but do not forget that frost will reach them through the juices of the vine ... Therefore, they cover them in late autumn before or after the first frost. And frosts on the soil in gardens and cottages begin earlier than in the city ...

After the clusters are removed and the entire crop is harvested (as a rule, this is mid-September), the bushes are well watered, preferably with the addition of potassium permanganate. The second step is organic and mineral fertilizer grape bushes using boric acid, superphosphates, ash and humus. The final stage preparation - pruning. Now everything is ready to cover the grapes for the winter and allow them to safely wait out the frost.

Winegrowers have their secrets of hiding. For example, they know that it is better to use a white film as a “fur coat” for a plant. Under it, the grapes will be warmer than under the black one by 1-1.5 degrees.

An important point"wintering" grapes is snow retention. Snow cover must be present on the soil, otherwise the bare ground will simply freeze. So that the wind and snowstorms do not blow snow off the ground, you need to install one and a half meter shields (wooden is best) on the side where the wind most often blows in winter, at a distance of 2.5-3 meters from the last row of shrubs. The fallen snow can be compacted and smoothed with a shovel, preferably before snowstorms.

Grapes are a cultivated fruit plant that not only produces tasty juicy berries, but also covers large areas of the territory from the sun thanks to its creeping shoots.

Many novice amateur gardeners and summer gardeners, when planting a plant for the first time, are wondering how to cover grapes for the winter so that they do not die from frost. There are several common and effective ways shelters that will help the plant survive even in the harshest climate, waiting for spring.

The state of dormancy (hibernation) that grapes need lasts an average of 4-6 months, depending on climatic conditions. In warmer regions, the plant needs less time to "rest".

The roots of the shrub are more sensitive to frost than its treelike shoots. Small frosts (from 0 to -5) the grapes will withstand, but at a colder temperature, lasting several days in a row, they will die.

The question of when to start sheltering grapes cannot be answered exactly, since you need to focus on the weather. As soon as the first cold nights come (in some areas this happens already in early September, in others - at the end of October), you need to start warming the roots of the plant. Experienced growers advise starting the procedure after all the trees have shed their leaves.

Preparing grapes for shelter

Shortly before warming, you need to remove all the fruits, if they are still on the vines. Further, it must be done. When pruning, all unripened vines, dry shoots and other plant debris are removed. Then all the remaining vines are removed from the trellis, twisted into bundles and tied up (it is best to use twine). In order to avoid rot and spoilage, it is recommended to treat the plants with iron or copper sulphate.

A few days before shelter, the soil at the roots of the vineyard should be watered abundantly. Dry ground freezes faster. And moisture will evaporate from the watered, which will warm the roots of the shrub for some time.

Now let's look at ways to better cover the grapes for the winter. All these methods are reliable and you can choose any option that is best for you.

Grape earth shelter

The most common and oldest type of grape insulation, which summer residents and gardeners resort to. It does not require any additional materials.

Grooves are dug in the shoot area. The most optimal depth is 15-20 cm. It is not necessary to dig deep, you can make earthen embankments. Vines are laid in the grooves and covered with earth. Overall Height soil from the roots should be 30-40 cm. Keep in mind that if the thickness of the embankment is less than 15 cm, and the climate in your region is harsh, all eyes may freeze.

Also, one cannot discount the fact that under the influence of precipitation the earth settles. In order to more reliably protect the plant with this method of shelter, it is better to throw additional warming material on earthen slides - boards, fragments of slate, pieces of roofing material. In regions with mild winters, one land will be enough.

Slate grape cover

Slate is an inexpensive material and is great for warming many plants that need protection.

Bunches of vines should be covered with dry leaves, hay, sawdust, or wrapped in burlap. On top of such an embankment, pieces of slate are installed with a “house”. To prevent the slate from moving out, its base can be strengthened with stones, bricks, or earthen mounds can be made.

Shelter of grapes with wooden shields

In order to apply this method, you have to work a little. From wooden planks shields need to be knocked down. If you manage to get somewhere wooden boxes, then they are also quite suitable.

On the one hand, shields or boxes need to be upholstered with roofing material. You can not upholster, but cover the shields with this material from above when they are already installed. A big plus is that the designs will serve you for more than one year, so the costs are justified.

As in the variant with slate, the vines must be thrown with leaves, straw, sawdust, but not with earth. Shields are also installed in the "house" position. Do not forget to cover the ends in such a design (the same roofing material or a piece of plywood will do).

Covering grapes with foil

Here the design is identical to the classic greenhouse. Arcs of wire or bending are placed along the laid shoots metal rods, and stretched over polyethylene film. You can spur the film with bricks or stones. Before pulling it, the vines also need to be thrown with any, preferably organic material but not the earth.

It is impossible to tightly close the plant with a film, it will begin to rot and rot. It is necessary to leave small gaps for ventilation of the greenhouse.

Features of the shelter of annual grapes

An annual plant requires a certain approach in warming. Therefore, many are interested in the question of how to cover young grapes for the winter correctly. . There are no difficulties here. For an annual vineyard, the hilling method is used.

Young cuttings are simply covered with earth, the height of the embankment should be 25-30 cm. This will be enough for the shrub to overwinter, even if there are severe colds.

• When choosing a shelter, keep in mind that it is the roots of the vineyard that need the most protection, make sure that they are securely covered.
• Do not neglect the treatment of cuttings and shoots with protective solutions, otherwise the plant may be attacked by microorganisms and die.
• When making a shelter with a film, you can not throw it with earth.
• Be sure to trim the vines before wintering.
• With an earthen shelter, it is better to take the land away from shrubs so that there are fewer pests in it.
• You can not cover the roots with grape leaves, again, in order to avoid a large number crop pests.

Now you know how to cover grapes for the winter. But do not forget to open it in time. Usually, insulation is removed not abruptly, but gradually: first for several hours a day, then this period gradually increases. The final removal of the insulation is done when a stable-warm temperature is established and night frosts are no longer observed.

Shelters of grapes from the user Igor

I use a slightly different method of hiding. In the fall, when the leaves begin to fall off, I cut off the extra annual shoots. Then I lay the grape branches on their side so that the subsequent branches lie on top of the previously tilted ones. And so along the entire length of the grape bush. Then I make arcs from hazel branches, insert them. It turns out something in the form of a greenhouse frame. And I cover it all with cardboard. Cardboard - ordinary boxes, which are full in stores. When snow falls, it falls on cardboard, it turns out a "thermos". Even in severe frosts, the grapes are well preserved. Doesn't freeze.

Not all horticultural crops are able to safely survive our severe frosts. Therefore, one of the activities carried out in the process of preparing some of them for winter period- artificial insulation, since the natural "blanket" in the form of snow is clearly not enough. As for grapes, it is necessary to cover it for the winter.

The main thing is to know how and with what, taking into account the climate in the region. A competent approach to solving this issue is a guarantee that the vine will not only winter well, but will also please the owners of the site. excellent harvest next year.

If you read all the articles on this topic, it becomes clear that there is no consensus on the timing and methods of sheltering grapes. Such discrepancies are caused by several reasons.

• Firstly, the authors do not take into account the plant variety, although they note that some of its varieties are classified as "non-covering". But for most of the territory of the Russian Federation, this is hardly relevant.
• Secondly, general recommendations somehow "miss" that all regions differ in the intensity of precipitation in winter time(the level of snow cover), average sub-zero temperatures, and the sites are also their location, and hence the degree of blowing.
• Thirdly, it is not always explained which part of the grape (aerial or roots) is more frost-resistant. But this is precisely what determines the specifics of the shelter of the plant.

Therefore, one of the most common questions should be clarified - when should grapes be covered? It is with this that summer residents with little experience experience particular difficulties, determining the timing and volume of this agrotechnical event.

The vine itself can withstand frosts down to - (12 - 14) ºС. A further decrease in temperature leads to the fact that the eyes begin to die. First of all, this applies to "one-year-olds", since an adult bush is able to tolerate up to -20. More difficult with the root system of grapes. For her, the lower limit (soil temperature) is -5 ºС. A further decrease leads to the death of its fibrous part. And if the frozen vine can still recover, then the roots cannot. And this means that the bush is no longer able to bear fruit.

Advice on the question of whether or not to cover the grapes if the winter in the region is mild should be considered only as a recommendation. On the one hand, the gardener does not do extra work, especially since there is already enough of it on the site in the fall. But what about those "surprises" that we last years does the weather throw up? There is a lot of snow, and it falls early, but it is still relatively warm outside. It also happens that you have to wait for precipitation until mid-December, and outside the window it is already -10 ºС or lower. Moreover, plots with vines are not protected from the wind.

Therefore, it is better to still prepare for the most negative option and cover the grapes. But the degree of its insulation, the timing, the materials and methods used, it is advisable for the summer resident to determine independently, focusing not on third-party tips, but on local conditions. If the foliage from the vines has completely fallen off, you can proceed to this agrotechnical event.

Stages of preparation

It is easy enough to list them, because it is certain types works:

• Removal of shoots from the enclosing structure.
• Pruning grapes. .
• Plant and soil disinfection.
• Abundant irrigation of the plot.
• Placement of baits for small rodents.

Hilling

The simplest, but rarely practiced technique. So you can cover the grapes only in the southern regions, characterized by relatively mild winters. This method is attractive in that it does not take much time to organize a shelter. The root system and shoots creeping above the ground are sprinkled with a layer of earth (from 10 to 30 cm, depending on local conditions). It is she who plays the role of natural insulation in the winter.

This is theory. But the practical implementation of this method has a number of nuances that need to be dealt with in more detail.

The earth mound only protects the roots. The vine itself remains without shelter for the winter. All hope is warm weather or heavy snowfall. It is necessary to take into account such moments. First, the location of the plot. If it is well blown, then it is not necessary to count on the fact that the very first snow that has fallen will reliably insulate the aerial part of the grapes - such a “blanket” will simply scatter it around the site. Secondly, the illumination of this segment. At the beginning of winter or early spring, the sun can melt the crust, and the grapes will be left bare. Given that during these periods, sub-zero temperatures can be quite significant (especially at night), then you need to think carefully before deciding to limit yourself to just hilling the vines.

Using only one land is not entirely correct. To reduce volume spring work, preferably mixed with organic fertilizer(peat, manure, humus). This solves a dual task - warming the grapes and introducing nutrients into the soil. In the process of snow melting, even if the vines are completely covered, water will definitely seep into this segment of the territory. And since this process takes more than one day, substances useful for grapes will gradually penetrate to the depth and reach the root system. Considering that the vine "wakes up" before the summer resident begins active work on the site (and it is not a fact that he is immediately engaged in fertilizing), it is more than advisable.

What to consider:

• Determining the height of the mound, you need to understand that it will gradually sag. First of all, under the influence of moisture.
• It is necessary to exclude direct contact of the soil with the vine, otherwise it will begin to rot and rot. Therefore, it is advisable to lay some kind of solid material on top of the earthen embankment - plywood, trimming boards, pieces of slate, roofing material, and the like.

Combined method

It is more commonly referred to as a semi-cover. All vines are laid as low as possible and, so that they do not straighten out during the winter, they are carefully pulled together (tape, nylon cord, etc.).

bottom and root system grapes are protected from frost with woven (for example, agrofibre) or bulk material. There are quite a lot of judgments about the last option, but are all the recommendations acceptable? In terms of the feasibility of powdering the soil with straw, wood chips, sawdust, old foliage (or tops), there are certain doubts. In such a layer, small rodents like to settle down for wintering. Already minus. Besides, experienced gardeners all plant debris collected from the site must be burned (not sent). The reason is that it is on the stems and leaves that there can be garden pests. If they cover the grapes with them, they will safely survive the winter and spread not only over it, but throughout the entire area.

What to recommend? For these purposes, it is better to use needles, but only with long needles (for example, from pine). In the spring, it is easy to remove it from the plot with grapes in order to carry out a number of agrotechnical activities - loosening, disinfection of the earth and vines, feeding with fertilizers (if required). As an option - lower part cover the grapes with a thick layer of peat. It is quite effective as a heater.

The top of the plant can be protected from the cold with burlap, the same agrofiber or fiberglass, even with old rags - there is plenty to choose from. One of the best options- cover the vineyard with spruce branches. It holds the snow cover well, thereby providing additional insulation to the vines.

Full cover of grapes

Most gardeners do just that. After a series of preparatory measures, when the vines are bent to the ground and securely fixed in this position, the enclosing frame is installed. Further - only one of the options for organizing a shelter, which the author implements on his site.

The supporting part is easiest to make from thick wire, the pieces of which are bent into an arc. Such elements are installed along the plot with grapes approximately every one and a half meters.

They are tied to wooden slats- cord, thin wires. They are needed in order to tightly lay the covering material on top, without touching the vines and without damaging them. It is advisable to use three tapestries - two at the top, on the sides of the arcs, and one strictly in the center, along the axis of the "cocoon". This rail will prevent its deformation under the weight of snow crust.

Next - a coating consisting of two layers. The first for grapes is any material, preferably natural. Although you can use, for example, fiberglass. You just need to make sure that the plant does not rot. The author covers the vines with roofing paper or rubberized cloth. They serve no more than 3 - 4 years, but they are cheap and always on sale. Top - thick p / e film. The resulting "cocoon" should not just touch the ground, but wrap a little.

So that the shelter does not scatter under the gusts of wind, it is securely fixed by another row of arcs. They must be installed with the calculation of the most dense pressing of the “cocoon” material to the trellises.

The last stage is fixing the "dome" around the perimeter. For this, any heavy objects are used. For example, cuts metal pipe, bricks. If this place is protected from the wind, then it is enough to sprinkle the edges of the shelter with earth. The need for careful sealing is caused not only by the requirements for high-quality insulation of grapes. This design is a reliable obstacle to penetration under the "cocoon" of rodents.

Defining right time for sheltering grapes according to the "full program", one should not lose sight of such a moment as the properties of the materials used. The same polyethylene film, which, due to its cheapness, is mainly used, becomes brittle at sub-zero temperatures. Yes, and working in the cold, when the fingers do not bend (and gloves are poor helpers in this matter), is not very convenient.

It is advisable to proceed as follows. In anticipation of frosts, when it is still relatively warm outside, spend all preparations, install the frame and cover it completely. But with a small caveat. To avoid greenhouse effect, the end parts of the "cocoon" should be left open. natural ventilation prevent the grapes from rotting. And when it gets really cold outside, it only takes a few minutes to cover the vines completely. The author does not claim to have his own "know-how", but every year he does just that.

Securely covering the grapes, you must constantly monitor the weather. If a prolonged thaw has come, then it will be necessary to arrange ventilation in the "cocoon". It is not difficult to do this - just come to the site and open one of its ends by bending the coating material.

Young grapes need special care. It must be covered earlier than the adult vine. For example, sprinkle a circle around the bush with peat, and cover it with a cardboard box on top, which is additionally insulated (spruce branches, burlap, film).

The article considers only the most practiced garden plots technologies for warming grapes for the winter. There are others - with shields, sheets of slate, plywood, in a ditch, followed by backfilling with soil. There are quite a few of them. Still, complete cover The best way grape protection. After the completion of all events, you can not worry - he is no longer afraid of any "surprises" of the weather.

If all the features of grape shelter are clear, then finding the best way to protect it from frost will not be difficult for any of the regions of Russia. The main thing is to take into account the specifics of your site and the climate in your place of residence.

Happy wintering to your vines, dear reader!

Grapes are loved by residents of different regions of Russia. But the heat-loving culture itself can grow far from everywhere. The work of breeders made it possible to partially adapt the grapes to normal vegetation in the conditions of the Volga region, the middle zone and even colder regions of Siberia and the Urals. One of the measures that help vine cope with local winters - warming. The article contains the basic principles, photo and video advice from experts on how to cover the plant before the cold.

What will the shelter protect from?

Winter warming contributes to the health of grapes and high yields:

• the vine retains under the bark all the nutritional composition necessary for productivity;
• the bark itself does not freeze and does not crack;
• negative factors affecting plant immunity are reduced.

In winter, this culture is at rest. Frost-resistant varieties that are recommended for cultivation in middle lane, the Volga region and cooler places, as a rule, are able to withstand temperatures of -20 ... -30 ° C. However, even when high level frost resistance, they need warming.

1. Temperature jumps. Winter and early spring thaws relax the vine, reducing its hardening. In a sleeping plant, the initial signs of vegetation may awaken, which will severely besiege new frosts.
2. Refundable spring frosts. Awakening kidneys can be destroyed even by a slight cold snap.
3. Annual seedlings are much more sensitive to frost. The level of their resistance is significantly lower than the adult vine.
4. Weak root system. With high hardening of the aerial part of the plant, the roots remain extremely vulnerable to winter weather. Even at shallow depths, the soil is warmer than the air, but can still freeze in cooler regions. Short-term -20 ° C on the ground can destroy the basis of the grapes.

Preparing the vine for insulation

Technology autumn training grape bush differs little in different regions. Before shelter, it is important to properly prune. Get down to business immediately after harvest. Remember weak and poorly fruiting shoots. They, along with dry branches, should be cut first.

Conditionally divide all unnecessary shoots in half. Leave the removal of the second part until late autumn, before the first light but constant frosts settle in your area. Grapes will normally tolerate a slight cold snap, but before the onset of frost, pruning must be completed. The two-stage method is recommended by experienced growers.

Shelter of grapes for the winter should begin immediately after the second stage of pruning. For owners of large or mixed vineyards, procedures are likely to take more than one day, because hybrids ripen in different time and have different frost resistance. First of all, insulate the weakest, as well as young seedlings of all varieties. It is important to carry out this at the moment when the thermometer registers on a permanent basis at the value of 0 ° C. Night frosts down to -6 °C are allowed. Although even slight sub-zero temperatures can burn the vine to the point of losing fertility.

Attention! It is impossible to cover the grapes immediately after harvesting in early autumn. At this time, it is still warm enough for a bacterial breeding ground to form under the covering material. In addition, the vine itself will not have time to prepare for the winter, to accumulate valuable minerals for fruiting next season.

How grapes are insulated in Siberia and the Urals

In regions with cold climates and short summer vine growers practice the 2-stage shelter method. At the turn of September-October, at the first frost, a temporary shelter is built for the vine, which protects the plant and gives it the opportunity to harden before winter. It is done like this:

• do the cutting;
• dig a trench along the width of the shoots collected in a bunch;
• mulch the ground inside the ditch;
• tie the branches of the bush and place in this state at the bottom;
• cover the trench with any suitable material.

Ways to shelter grapes

About 1-1.5 months. the vine will accumulate sugar and other substances while tempering. Then it's time to thoroughly warm the grapes for the winter. There are 2 ways to do this. The first one is dry:

1. Wrap tightly bound shoots with roofing material or polyethylene.
2. Lay them at the bottom of the trench and attach them to the ground with staples.
3. Install arcs above the ditch, which, in turn, cover with a layer of corrugated cardboard ( plywood boards) and polyethylene. The shelter should be without cracks and gaps so that the snow does not fall inside.
4. Additional protection from snow protective layer dry branches laid on top, old boards or even ordinary earth will help.
5. Sprinkle snow on top (if it has already fallen).

Attention! Such a shelter will provide normal ventilation of the vine and at the same time protect it from moisture.

The second option is even easier:

• treat the shoots with lime or other remedy for debate, dry;
• wrap with polyethylene;
• lay in a bound state in a trench;
• cover with a layer of soil from 30 cm;
• put a material that will protect the plant from water ingress;
• cover with dry branches or something similar;
• cover with snow with a layer of 50 cm.

You can open grapes only in April - and then, if frosts are not expected in the near future. Get the vine. Let it dry for a few days and put it back in the trench. The grapes can finally be awakened only in mid-May or later, when it gets warmer.

Ways of warming grapes in the Volga region and the middle lane

The climate here is more gentle than in Siberia, so grapes do not need temporary autumn shelter. Vine growers often use simple ways insulation. For example:

• the vine is bent to the ground;
• gain soil away from the place where the vine grows;
• sprinkle it with grape shoots.

This method is effective only if the vine is covered with snow throughout the winter. If in your region the winter is wet and with little snow, this option will not work - the grapes will freeze.

In this case, the soil is covered from above with a layer of dry foliage, spruce branches. In addition to these materials, you can build a protective frame from old boxes (not cardboard boxes!) or slate lined with a house. From above they are covered with polyethylene. The task is to create a space around the vine with its own warm microclimate.