Northern grapes
Content:
Recently, the opinion that viticulture is the privilege of only the southern regions is losing its credibility. Every year the grape extends its vines more and more to the north and, thereby, confirms the status of a frost-resistant berry. However, what attracts gardeners to grapes and makes them prescribe a berry in their areas of the Black Earth Region, Non-Black Earth Region, Moscow Region, the Baltic States, southern regions of Siberia and the Urals? Firstly, the already mentioned indifference to frost, in the fight against which the grapes emerge victorious, but the cultures traditional for the northern regions are defeated. Secondly, fast fruiting. Third, the rapid increase in harvest volumes. But the intention to achieve a large grape harvest will not be enough. For this, lovers of sunny berries need to know which grape variety can fall in love with the northern climate, and what a number of rules must be followed when planting a bush in the north.
What do wine lovers from the northern regions rely on when choosing a culture.
There are several notes.
First note.
Firstly, the already mentioned indifference to frost, in the fight against which the grapes emerge victorious, but the cultures traditional for the northern regions are defeated.
Second note.
Secondly, fast fruiting.
Third note.
Third, the rapid increase in harvest volumes. But the intention to achieve a large grape harvest will not be enough.
What you need to know when purchasing grape crops.
To do this, lovers of sunny berries need to know which grape varieties can fall in love with the northern climate, and what a number of rules must be followed when planting a bush in the north.
What grape varieties will the northern regions be happy with?
Despite the fact that grapes are a berry of the sun, some varieties are able to withstand severe frosts. Let's pay attention to the standard set of grape varieties (most are characterized by high frost resistance), which every self-respecting grower should have on his site.
Grape variety 'Laura'.
The weight of the bunch reaches more than fifteen hundred grams, the weight of the berry is ten to twelve grams. Milky-white fruits are oval-shaped. Withstands frost up to minus twenty-three degrees. Little susceptible to disease, ripens early.
Grape Variety 'Codryanka'
The weight of the bunches is about ten hundred grams or more, the weight of the berry is seven to nine grams. The fruits are oval, dark purple in color. This variety ripens after the 'Laura' grape and is also resistant to frost (up to minus twenty-three degrees) and diseases. The flesh of the berry is crispy and firm. Differs in high productivity.
Grape variety 'Radiant Kishmish'
Bunches "Radiant“Weighing fifteen hundred grams and more, the weight of the berries is three to four grams. Fruits are pink, oval, without seeds. In the selection of raisins it takes the first place because of its taste and market characteristics, despite the low level of frost resistance.Ripens in about one hundred fifteen to one hundred twenty five days.
Grape Variety ‘Talisman’ (formerly ‘Kesha-1’)
The bunches of this grape variety are very large, therefore their weight reaches twenty hundred grams or more, the weight of the berry is twelve to sixteen grams. With proper care, the weight of a berry can increase to twenty to twenty-five grams. The fruits are white, round. Withstands frost up to minus twenty-five degrees. Resistant to rot and mildew. Has an early-average ripening period of one hundred twenty seven to one hundred thirty five days.
What are the advantages of the above varieties.
Such a starter kit, even if incomplete, will give you an annual worthy harvest of juicy berries and the right to be called a winegrower.
How to plant a grape bush correctly so that it takes root in the north?
The main recommendation.
If we have decided on the grape varieties for the northern regions, then the question of the method of planting a grape bush will arise before us immediately after the purchase. Do you want to copy the method of planting grapes typical for the southern regions (it is most often described in the literature)? Then nothing good will grow from a newly planted bush. Soil and climatic conditions play a decisive role in the method of planting, which determine which of the two main methods you should apply in order to enjoy the harvest of juicy berries every year.
The first method for landing.
Is your site located in the southern regions or the steppe zone, where the winter is snowless and the groundwater runs far from the earth's surface? Then the method consists of planting grapes in a hole or trench will suit you.
The second method for landing.
The second method is to plant a bush of grapes on the ridges. It will bear abundant fruit in deciduous and mixed forest areas. In winter in these regions there is heavy snow, the snow mass is abundant and stable, and in summer a lack of heat is a common phenomenon and groundwater is at the surface of the earth.
Planting a vine bush in a hole or trench
It cannot be said that this method is used only in the southern regions. Landing in a trench or pit has its own, although not popular, distribution in the north of Russia. But a grape bush is more likely to bear fruit if it is planted in ridges. The main advantage here is that a bush planted on ridges will warm up faster at the roots than a bush planted in a trench or hole. This directly affects the rate of ripening of the crop. In the north, where every ray of sunshine is invaluable, this factor will be decisive when planting grapes.
Planting a bush of grapes on the ridges.
Another enemy of planting in a trench or pit will be the proximity of groundwater to the earth's surface, which will lead to an excess of water. Here again, planting on ridges saves, in which drainage pipes are stretched between the bushes. Their installation consists in placing the pipe on stone or rubble. Part of the pipe is covered with roofing material, and soil is poured over it.
What should be the soil near the ridge?
The composition of the earth should allow water and heat from the sun to easily and quickly penetrate to the roots of the bush, which will provide them with the necessary nutrients and contribute to early fruiting. Thus, the best composition of the land for the ridge will be a complex that combines in a one-to-one-to-one ratio. To do this, you need: 1) a mixture of fine gravel and coarse sand; 2) loam and organic humus; 3) also the content of five hundred grams of potassium sulfate per one square meter of the mixture; 4) you still need to remember about three hundred grams of superphosphate. Keep in mind that such a soil composition is not the ultimate truth.
Under what conditions can you make a bed.
It is also possible to make a ridge of the land that is on your site, provided that the grapes are planted on the ridge.Don't forget about drainage pipes! Use them for watering the bush and fertilizing, which will save you from unnecessary costs, since the necessary solution with liquid fertilizing will be directed immediately to the roots of the bush.
Where to plant a grape bush?
The location of the bush on your site also affects its yield. We must not forget that grapes are a berry of historically southern regions, and each ray of sunlight affects the quality and quantity of the fruit it brings. Plant a shrub on a southern slope if possible. If not, then choose a place that is lit by the sun all day. The direction of the rows should be from south to north. The required distance between the rows is two and a half to three hundred centimeters. The distance between bushes in a row also affects fruiting. The bushes should be planted about two hundred and fifty centimeters apart or more.
Conclusion.
Now, knowing all the details of viticulture in the north, you can easily grow a vineyard and win the title of a vineyard of the north. With the correct choice of grape varieties and adherence to the planting rules, the success of your grape business is guaranteed!