Growing grapes in the country: 7 main rules
Content:
Growing grapes is a fairly simple activity, you shouldn't be afraid. You will have a rich harvest, only for this you need to know all the nuances of caring for the vineyard. Read useful tips and rules in our article.
Rule # 1. Choosing a place for growing grapes.
The grapes need a certain place where it will be quiet, light and not blown by the wind. Not a bad place will be near buildings, it will give a certain warm atmosphere at night and hide the grapes from the through wind. The southern slope is ideal for planting. Where large bushes or trees grow, it is better not to plant grapes, an unnecessary shadow will form and it will be deprived of useful substances.
There are times when grapes are planted along the road, but then it is imperative to take care of a dust barrier.
The grapes are very well developed root system, which can grow up to two meters. Therefore, the groundwater should be at a shallow depth.
Rule # 2. Choosing a regional variety.
Before buying a grape variety, you first need to understand all the nuances of the growth of this type. Different varieties may grow differently in different geographic areas. Find out if your climate is right for your chosen grape. You can ask your friends who love grapes, which variety grows best and is not afraid of pests. The most popular are Moldova, Arcadia and Lily.
If your task is not just to grow grapes, but to make wine from them, then you better turn your attention to technical varieties.
Rule # 3. Growing grapes and light.
If you want a good harvest, pay special attention to light and temperature. He should be warm and light.
It is necessary to plant grape bushes at a distance of more than one meter and from north to south. If this is not possible, then get a reflective film, which will be an excellent protection against drafts.
Remember to water, but don't overdo it. Grapes are a very whimsical bush and in one irrigation run, you can spend about 10 liters of water. Another important rule: after watering, be sure to loosen the soil.
Rule # 4. Growing grapes: pruning and shaping.
There is one pruning method that even a beginner can handle - "according to Guyot". When pruning, only three young stems are left. One of them is cut very short so that it has only three buds. The rest are left with six to seven buds. They will bear fruit. A year later, the long stems must be completely cut off, they have already yielded their harvest, but the previous work is repeated on the short stem. This manipulation must be carried out every year.
Important: pruning in the spring cannot be done, the grapes are in the very peak of growth and there is a rapid flow of sap.
Rule # 5. Harvest.
The main task for the gardener is to achieve a huge harvest without destroying the plant. It is deceiving that opinion, if there are many shoots, then the harvest will be rich. It is very difficult for grape stalks to support the weight of the berries, it will quickly break. In this case, circumcision will come to your aid, but for different grape varieties this ritual is peculiar. There is one option that can be suitable for each type of grape - this is an average pruning, in which case there will be an average of 30 eyes on the bush.
If the care is correct and of high quality, then the grape bush will yield up to 70 kg. harvest.But there are also pleasant exceptions - this is a crop of 100 kg.
Rule # 6. Correct fertilization.
If you want to get a rich harvest and use fertilizer, this is fine. The main thing is not to overdo it. In this matter, it is important to adhere to a certain system. In the spring, when the grapes are about to bloom, nutrients must be added to the soil. They should include phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. After that, it is best to sprinkle the soil with its fertile option.
And now the moment has come when there is only a week left before flowering. It is necessary to completely repeat the fertilization procedure and add a large amount of water for subsequent watering. The last stage of fertilization must be carried out at the time of flowering.
Of course all mineral dressing it is best to buy from specialized locations.
Rule # 7. Dangers await you.
If you took up the cultivation of grapes, then be prepared to meet with various pests. When it becomes more or less cool outside, it will be necessary to process the plant and do this every decade. Experienced people even have their own recipes for painful remedies.
One example:
Take small grass, put it in a bucket of water, add kombucha (one glass will be enough) and leave to brew for two days. It should become cloudy. This concentrated solution should be diluted 1 to 7 with water and the grapes should be processed up to twice a week.
If your grape looks sick and the leaves turn yellow, it is most likely a mineral deficiency.
