Ways to hide grapes for the winter in the Moscow region
The grape is a thermophilic crop. It is grown mainly in the southern regions. But the growers of the Moscow region can also grow berries on the site. At the same time, it is important to choose suitable varieties and shelter grapes for the winter in the Moscow region. Simple rules for wintering the culture guarantee flowering in the spring and further fruiting.
Ways to hide grapes for the winter in the Moscow region
Varieties for temperate climates
Crop varieties should be selected based on the characteristics of the climate of the region. Berry types must be:
- very early or early;
- winter hardy and disease resistant;
- self-pollinated;
- suitable for open ground.
The place of planting of the culture is also considered an important factor. It shouldn't be windy. Choosing non-sheltering (that is, those that do not protect in winter), grape varieties, remember that in the winter without snow, even these types of crops can die. The roots of the bush will freeze and the plant will not bloom in spring. The maximum snowless temperature that the bush can withstand is -12 ° C.
In the presence of protection in the form of snow, the stability increases to -50 ° C. This is the reason why, in the absence of a layer of snow, even non-covering crops are recommended to be covered. There are many ways to protect yourself: from simple and cheap to complex and expensive.
Procedure time
In the Moscow region, grapes are sheltered for the winter at a night temperature of -2 ° C. Hiding a culture too early or late leads to:
- condensation and root decay;
- death of shoots due to lack of nutrients;
- infection with fungi or infections in an excessively hot and humid environment.
All these factors do not contribute to the development of the bush and a good quality harvest, therefore they cover the berry not in winter or late autumn, but with the first constant frosts. To effectively cover the plants, healthy shoots are chosen, and during the fruiting season, the crop is looked after. And so she endures the winter better.
Preparing a plant for wintering
Preparation for winter is carried out as follows:
- Wait for the plant to shed its foliage.
- The bush is pruned, the vine is pressed to the ground with staples. It should not touch the ground.
- Wooden sawdust or bars are placed under it.
From pests and infections, the vine is treated with lime or copper sulfate. Do not put polyethylene or fallen leaves under the vine: this leads to condensation and decay.
Mildew sick bushes do not leave to winter. They are cut, uprooted and destroyed.
Also choose the material for the shelter of the culture. You can cover grapes for the winter in the Moscow region with several materials: earth, coniferous branches, slate, roofing material, agrofibre. The material should be taken care of in advance. If necessary, it is dried and cleaned from wet soil and mold.
The age of the vine is also important for choosing a method. Young bushes are covered with a "house", trying not to bend or break.They are protected in several ways simultaneously. Older and stronger plants can be bent to the ground or covered with one of the available methods.
Ground cover technology
Straw keeps warm well
This method is difficult in that it requires thorough preparation. First, the vine is laid out in the dug grooves, fixed there with wooden bars or staples. For shelter, dug dry, loose soil not within the vineyard.
Sprinkle the vine with straw or peat. For the Moscow region, it is better to use a three-layer shelter:
- 5-15 cm of soil;
- 5-10 cm of organic matter;
- 20-25 cm of loose dry soil.
Additionally, the grapes are covered with snow, since it has a good ability to protect crops from freezing.
Coniferous branches as protection for the winter
The advantage of this method is its availability. The needles protect well from frost, but only with a stable minus. Also, the smell of spruce and pine scares away rodents. This is not a very reliable method, but in combination with others it creates additional protection for the culture.
Roofing material or film covering
This method requires minor construction skills. The construction is created like this:
- They put metal arcs, stretch a film on them or put up a roofing material.
- The vine is covered with straw or coniferous branches.
- For durability, the film is fixed with bricks.
The disadvantage of this method is that the materials do not allow air to pass through. From time to time, the culture is aired, which creates additional difficulties. Unlike roofing material, slate allows air to pass through and protects it from precipitation.
Hay, sawdust and the same needles are spread inside. But slate is an expensive material, and not every winegrower can afford it.
Using agrofibre
This method is the most optimal of the above. Agrofibre is a special material, polypropylene, created to insulate berries, protect them from moisture and not block the air. The fabric is fixed over the vine with bricks. It allows air to pass through and traps snow, which gives the bush additional protection.
If the bush is adult, it is not necessary to cut it: it is wrapped in several layers of polypropylene and secured with twine. Plants are covered with leaves if they are healthy and dry.
The timing of plant opening after wintering
The grapes must be opened in the first week of April. Although if the weather is still frosty, the removal of protection is postponed at least to 0 ℃ on average per day.
If the vineyard is nearby, it will be useful to prepare smoke heaps and bombs to protect the vine from frost. They are placed on the sides of the vineyard and set on fire when the frost hits. One heap acts on 100 sq. m.
How to cook a smoke pile:
- Straw, dry leaves, shavings are needed inside to ignite.
- Leaves, tops and fuel oil are spread on top for smoking. All are sprinkled with a layer of earth.
- Set fire to the structure from below.
The recommended pile size is 1 x 1.5 m. If it is not possible to protect the plants in this way, they are sprayed with plain water. It grasps into an ice crust and keeps the bush from temperature extremes.
Conclusion
Grapes in the northern regions need to be covered for the winter to protect them from temperature extremes. Shelter with earth, coniferous branches, roofing material, agrofibre protects plants from the cold. Additionally, the snow cover serves as a protective layer in winter.
All materials should warm the plant, keep moisture out, but promote air circulation. Humidity will lead to the development of fungi and rot.
It is necessary to open the grapes in the first decade of April, as a preparation for this procedure, smoke heaps or bombs are made.