Top dressing of grapes with ash, methods of using wood ash

Often in a summer cottage or in a rural house, a large amount of plant waste accumulates, such as weeds, straw, wood residues collected as a result of weeding. Sometimes they are simply taken out of the territory of the site, or burned, not paying attention to the resulting ash and considering it useless waste. Meanwhile, wood ash can be used as an organic fertilizer for the care of garden plants, and feeding grapes with ash is no exception.

Ash is used to neutralize acidic soils in the area with grape plantings, and can also be used for preventive treatment of plants from pests and fungal infections. The most valuable component of ash is potassium, which is present in large quantities, as well as phosphorus and other useful microelements in the amount of three dozen.

The composition of wood ash is influenced by the type of plant waste, from the combustion of which it is formed:

- ashes resulting from the burning of weeds and fresh shoots of tree crops contain a lot of potassium;
- old wood residues give ash rich in calcium;
- ash obtained from potato tops also contains a lot of calcium (about 30% of the total composition);
- ash obtained by burning rye and buckwheat straw is rich in potassium and calcium.

The greatest benefit comes from feeding grapes with ash of such tree species as oak, spruce and birch. The unique composition of oak ash contains 75% calcium, 20% potassium and 10% phosphorus. It is this type of ash that is the most balanced and useful for the nutrition of grapes. Its duration lasts for 4 years, until the fertilizer is completely dissolved in the soil. Microorganisms living in the upper layers of the soil are engaged in its processing, after which nutrients enter
into the root system of the plant.

Despite all the benefits of wood ash, its excess in the soil is undesirable, as it can lead to its alkalization. A strong decrease in the level of acidity is fraught with difficulties in the assimilation by the plant of such an essential element as phosphorus, as well as other nutrients.

Ash for grapes - how to determine needs

At different stages of their development, grapes require different nutrients. So, in the phase of rapid growth of shoots and leaves, the plant experiences an increased need for nitrogen. The formation of grape clusters is directly related to a sufficient intake of potassium. The full assimilation of these nutrients is influenced by the condition of the grape root system. Phosphorus helps in its formation.

The lack of one or another substance is reflected in the appearance of plants:

— chlorosis indicates a lack of nitrogen and is manifested in the acquisition of yellow leaves, they become smaller and gradually fall off, and the shoots are weak and small in thickness;
- potassium is very important for the water balance of the plant, its deficiency is expressed in the marginal burn of the leaf plate;
- phosphorus is responsible for regulating metabolism, due to a lack of this element, foliage is deformed, twisting into a tube and acquiring a purple hue;
grape clusters lose their density, and the berries in them quickly crumble;
- the greatest danger to grapes is a lack of calcium, without it the plant can die if you do not feed the bushes with an ash solution rich in calcium-based compounds (sulfates, carbonates, silicates, chlorides).

How to feed grapes with ash - ways

For fertilization of grape plantings, ash can be used both in dry and liquid form. Ash solutions can be used to irrigate bushes. In spring and summer, dry wood ash can be scattered over the area with grape plantings, adding about 1 liter under each bush. ash powder. For all its simplicity, this method helps to effectively deal with pests that live in the soil.

After spraying the ash, cover the ground with a layer of mulch: this will prevent moisture from quickly evaporating from the soil, which will allow beneficial soil microorganisms to process organic fertilizer and nourish the root system of the grapes. Otherwise, their activity will be suspended, and the plant may not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients.

For watering grapes with ash, it is enough to dilute it in 10 liters. water about 300 g of wood ash and leave for 3-4 days. Then the resulting infusion is watered near the trunk space around the grape bushes. This method allows the plant to quickly absorb nutrients and eliminate their deficiency.

The ash solution is also used for the preventive treatment of grapes, as well as for its treatment in case of infection with fungal infections. It is enough to dissolve in 3 liters. water 300 g of ash, boil the resulting mixture, then cool and strain. You can improve the solution by adding shavings of laundry soap to it - this will allow it to stay on the surface of the leaves longer. The resulting mixture is diluted with 10 l. water and used for spraying grape plantings. In August, it is recommended to add dry ash to the soil in the process of digging it up. To this end, you can dig small depressions between the beds or around the trunk of the plant, pour ash into them and place a layer of soil on top.

Benefits of feeding grapes with ash

Autumn is the time for the propagation of grape seedlings. This procedure requires the application of nutrient-rich fertilizers. Most often, rotted manure or wood ash is used.

The advantages of feeding grapes with ash are obvious:
- unlike manure, ash contains a lot of phosphorus, which is extremely important for the formation of a powerful root system of grapes;
- its composition is generally richer and includes a lot of calcium;
- a low nitrogen content (only 2-3%) reduces the risk of a plant getting a chemical burn, which quite often happens when applying manure fertilizers.

The rapid rooting of cuttings will be helped by soaking in a solution that stimulates root growth. To this end, you can place the cuttings for a day in a container filled with 2 cm of water.This will allow them to be at the mark most favorable for the formation of roots, since both the presence of water and air are important for this.
From above, the container can be closed with plastic wrap and a bag to create a greenhouse effect and thereby create favorable conditions for the emergence of roots. After that, you can transplant the cuttings into open ground: the optimal time for this procedure depends on the climatic characteristics of the region. In the south, it is best to transplant in the fall, in the conditions of the domestic middle zone - in the spring.

When planting cuttings, it is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- dig out planting holes with a depth of 40 to 50 cm;
- fill the bottom of the holes with a thick ash solution;
- plant a stalk in the substrate so that several buds remain on its aboveground part - later they will sprout.

The soil around the cutting should be mulched, which will allow it to retain moisture and nutrients for a longer time, as well as protect the roots of a young plant from frost or overheating.The aerial part of the cutting can be covered with a plastic bottle to protect the plant from cold wind, frost and bright sunlight.

In the spring, you can periodically remove the shelters, adapting the young plant to new conditions.

Top dressing of grapes with ash - video

The cultivation of grapes requires compliance with certain agrotechnical standards, which include the application of fertilizers. The correct choice of dressings will allow the plant to grow and develop quickly and subsequently give a bountiful harvest. Wood ash and infusions and solutions prepared on its basis represent a balanced organic fertilizer rich in nutrients vital for grapes.