Each perennial garden plant requires some preparation for the winter period, and you need to take care of quality and competent warming on time. And so the question is relevant: how to cover grapes for the winter? Each owner knows that this process is very important, but far from simple, and it takes a lot of time. Therefore, many would like to find a way that would allow grapes to be wintered safely, and would not be too laborious.
Under what conditions and how to cover grapes in winter
If sheltering grape varieties grow in your garden , and many table and technical varieties belong to them, then you should definitely take care of protecting them from frost. Moreover, this must be done even if you live in regions located closer to the south. The fact is that even minor frosts, alternating with thaws, cause icing of the vine, and such a crust no less detrimental to the plant than severe frost. In addition, snowy and windy winters are serious enemies of grapes, and an experienced gardener always remembers this. Before you cover the grapes for the winter, you should remove all immature shoots, because they will still freeze. In addition, you need to consider that in constant dampness, grapes can rot, so you need to take care of the dryness of the shelter. Dangerous for plants and temperature extremes. For example, at + 10 , he begins sap flow, but if the indicators drop to minus values, water will freeze in the tissues, which will lead to their rupture, and all grapes can die. How to cover a plant for the winter so that this does not happen? Firstly, the shelter must be reliable, and secondly, it is necessary to equip it when a stable temperature is close to zero.
Warm "coat" for grapes
Shelter plants can begin in mid-October. There are several ways to "preserve" the vine and roots for the winter. You can simply tie the vine in bunches and lay it on the ground, sprinkling it with a layer of soil 7-10 cm thick. And some winegrowers prefer to wrap the bush in burlap first, and then cover it with earth to a height of 35 cm or cover it with wooden shields. On top of the latter, it is necessary to spread and securely fix a plastic film or roofing felt - these materials will protect the plant from melt water. For additional warming of the vineyard, it is recommended to throw a thick layer of snow on it. Another way to cover grapes for the winter is to use a white plastic film. Interestingly, under it the temperature is 1.5 degrees higher than under black polyethylene. Remember that it is necessary to warm not only the vine, but also the roots. By the way, the vine tolerates frost more easily than the root system.
Provide snow retention
Snow retention is a very important step in the process of how to cover the grapes for the winter. In order for snowstorms, accompanied by strong winds, to not be able to remove the snow "fur coat" from the vineyards to the ground, it is necessary to install 1.5-meter wooden billboards for snow retention in accessible areas. Similar functions can be performed by fruit trees (apple trees, pears, plums and sea buckthorn), planted from the side of constant winds.