How to cover grapes for the winter: options, covering schemes

The vine can freeze in the cold of winter, so it must be protected. Since there are also frosts in spring, the plant can also freeze and dry out during this period. In order to get a good harvest every year, you should definitely cover it for the winter. The most vulnerable place of a berry is its root system, so it is necessary to insulate it especially carefully.

Photo: https://www.kleo.ru/img/articles/-21-10-2019-160752.png

Young bushes, as well as hybrid varieties, are the most frost-resistant. Therefore, even annual seedlings of frost-resistant varieties can also freeze if they are not properly covered before the cold weather.

How to properly cover grapevines before winter? Depending on the characteristics of the varieties and the local climate, there are several methods. Thus, in central Russia in recent years, winters have come relatively late, cold weather is replaced by prolonged thaws, so in such climatic conditions it is worth covering plants in two stages:

first, the vine is prepared: it is pruned, watered and fertilized, then it is laid on the ground and fixed so that it does not unbend;
then it is finally covered, wrapped in a heat-insulating and waterproof coating.

When should grapes be covered?

Grape roots can freeze at temperatures below -5 °C, so all work is carried out before this point. If the root system freezes, the entire bush will die. When the above-ground part freezes, the grapes can be restored.

There are varieties that can withstand frost down to -28 °C, but even they can freeze at a temperature of -20 °C. If the temperature is predicted to drop to at least -4...-5 °C, frost-resistant grapes need to be insulated.

Why is it important to strictly observe the timing of covering grapes for the winter:

if insulation is done too early, there is a risk of the plant rotting, becoming moldy, creating condensation, which causes the crop to die;
if you are late with insulation, the roots will freeze.

Measures to cover the bush are carried out only in dry weather - there should be no traces of high humidity on the soil and plant.

The main condition is that the vine is hardened, i.e., it is given the opportunity to endure the first frosts while open. This rule applies exclusively to adult crops.

How to open in the spring

As soon as it gets warmer outside in the spring and the soil dries out, it needs to be raked. You can’t wait any longer, otherwise the branches will begin to rot.

After removing the soil and plastic bucket, you should restore the hole. That is, the hole should again become the same depth as it was after planting the seedling. Young grapes should grow in a depression.

Covered for the winter with a plastic bottle and soil, young seedlings of 1 year of life successfully overwinter and begin their growing season in the spring. Read here about how to properly and what is the best way to cover an adult vine before frost . I wish you rich harvests!

Choosing timing based on geographic location

The time of warming depends on the regional growth of the crop:

Moscow region and Leningrad region. The average daily air temperature should be no more than -2 °C, so the work process is carried out after November 20 and before December 10. Preparations should begin in late September.
Ural and Western Siberia. Preparatory activities are carried out from late August to early September. Shelter period is from October to early November.
Central Russia. The vine takes shelter 20-30 days after the leaves completely fall off, i.e. in mid-November.
Ukraine. These are relatively warm regions, where the timing of grape warming shifts towards winter, especially with the late onset of “Indian summer”. The optimal period is November, in the south of Ukraine – December.

Preparing grapes for shelter

An important factor is the preparatory measures before covering the grapes for the winter. In the North, there is no natural leaf fall before the first frost, so gardeners artificially remove leaves from the grape bush and remove weeds from the tree trunk.

Processing times

Pruning and other measures to prepare grapes for wintering are carried out after the leaves have fallen. It is important that the night temperature is constant between 0 and -2 °C.

Feeding

Fertilizers are applied 2-3 weeks before moisture recharging. In order for the grapes to overwinter normally and produce a rich harvest in the spring, you need to add nutrients, but it is forbidden to feed them with nitrogen in the fall.

For autumn feeding of grape bushes, you can use the following composition:

For 10 liters of water, take up to 15 g of potassium and 20 g of phosphorus.
Add about 12-15 drops of pharmaceutical iodine to the solution.
Add powdered boric acid (5 g) to the mixture.

The indicated dosage is designed for watering one bush.

Treatment against diseases

To avoid the spread of pests, the bush and the surrounding area are sprayed with copper sulfate (100 g of substance per 9-10 liters of water). The following compounds are used against diseases:

From fungal and infectious diseases. For 9-10 liters of water, take 35-40 g of table salt, 15-20 g of soda, 7-10 drops of iodine.
Against mildew and oidium. A pink solution of manganese or colloidal sulfur is used (10 g of powder per 9-10 liters of water).

If you do not want to use such products, buy ready-made drugs - Topaz, Ridomil or Fundazol. Strictly follow the instructions for use, which are detailed on the products.

Other events

What else needs to be done when preparing a grape bush for shelter:

3 days before insulation, carry out moisture recharging, since completely dry soil freezes more strongly. To do this, dig several holes as drainage holes. Water the plant with 20 liters of water for 1 year of life.
Allow the branches to mature until they turn brown. To do this, remove the shoots from the trellises and spread them on the ground. This will allow light to reach all branches.
Trim the bushes - remove diseased and damaged elements, thin shoots and tops (thick branches growing vertically from the old sleeve). From the young growth, leave up to 8 shoots, which have managed to become woody and grow 4 buds. Shorten last year's shoots so that there are up to 12-15 eyes left.
Make a catarrh - remove the dew roots located at a depth of up to 25 cm (they will freeze). To do this, dig a hole around the trunk, select horizontal root shoots, and cut them off at the base of the root. Disinfect the cut areas with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

What are the ways to cover grapes for the winter?

There are many methods for insulating grapes, but there is a basic rule - the root system is covered to a greater extent. It is the roots that are most often exposed to freezing.

Hilling

This is the fastest and most cost-effective method. The main condition is loose soil and light moisture. For heat capacity, sawdust can be added.

How to properly earth up grapes before wintering - step-by-step instructions:

Clear a 1 m area around the bush.
Use a garden tool to build a mound 13-15 cm high around the trunk.
Treat the area with a weak solution of manganese.
Place herbs that repel mice.

When snow appears, throw it on the hill. If grapes grow in northern latitudes, the height of the hill is at least 25 cm, the radius is 30-40 cm.

An experienced gardener will tell you about hilling grapes in the following video:

Partial cover

This method is suitable for regions with warm winters. It involves the use of soil and available materials - straw, fabric, burlap, film, agrofibre, hay, etc.

The process of partial insulation of grapes:

Cover the lower part of the bush with a layer of soil (as when hilling).
Tie the plant branches into one bundle using twine.
Place covering material or straw on the ground.
Place the grapes, press them with boards or car tires.
Cover, for example, with film.

The thickness of the covering material should not exceed 5 cm.

Full Cover

It is rational to use such insulation in severe frosts. Step-by-step instructions for complete cover:

Remove the branches from the trellises, collect them in one bunch, tying them with a rope.
Dig a shallow ditch to accommodate half the height of the tied vines. Pour sawdust (straw, hay, etc.) into it.
Wrap the branches with geotextile material.
Press the branches into the ditch using gentle movements to avoid breaking the vines.
Cover with soil.
After snow falls, sprinkle the structure with it.

Straw or reed

An eco-friendly and breathable way to insulate grapes for the winter. The first thing to do is to prepare reed, cattail or straw from grain crops. The material is first thoroughly dried under the sun.

How to insulate a grape bush with straw or reeds:

Gather the grape vines into a bunch.
Place straw on the ground and press the grapes on top.
Sprinkle with straw in a layer of at least 20 cm.
After a couple of weeks, add the same amount of covering material.
Secure the structure with ropes, plastic clamps, or cover with netting to prevent the straw from flying away during winds.

You can also learn about sheltering grapes in the following video:

Use of snow

The method is effective in Siberia and regions where there is a lot of winter precipitation for a long time. An important factor is that the grapes must be resistant to temperatures down to -10 °C.

The process of creating a snow shelter:

Tie the vines into a bundle.
Place pieces of plywood or boards on the surface of the ground.
Place the grapes on them and secure them with wire/staples.
Cover with snow. The layer should be at least 40-50 cm.
Press down gently.

Throughout the winter, add snow and be sure to compact it. The higher the layer, the warmer the plant.

Slate cover

Slate is used as a material at hand (in its absence, it is replaced with boards, roofing felt, etc.). How to make a trench shelter:

Dig a trench along the length of the branches that will fit into it. Depth – up to 30 cm.
In very harsh climatic conditions, insulate the ditch with boards along the sides and bottom.
Tie the vine with twine, wrap it with burlap (agrofibre, etc.).
Place the grapes in the trench, cover the top with slate so that it protrudes 15 cm from the sides.
Sprinkle with soil to fix the structure.

Using spunbond

Spunbond is the technical name for a series of covers. For example, agrofibre, airlade, fiberglass, etc. The material is opaque and differs in moisture conductivity only on one side. It is considered breathable, so the plant under it breathes.

Proper air ventilation keeps the grapes dry and warm at the same time. Consequently, there is no condensation, which prevents the branches from rotting.

Spunbond is used in all climatic conditions. Gardeners recommend combining the material with natural raw materials - straw, hay. You can cover grapes with this material directly on trellises, bent to the ground:

Tie the branches and bend them to the ground, which is covered with leaves or straw.
Secure with staples.
Cover with spunbond.
Strengthen the structure (sprinkle with earth).

For the Northern regions, it is recommended to use several layers of covering material.

Useful recommendations for covering grapes can be found in the video:

Shelter made of spruce branches

Among all the varieties of spruce branches, spruce is considered the best for insulating plants for the winter, but pine and fir can be used.

The scheme for covering grape bushes is very simple to implement:

Place spruce branches on the soil.
Place tied grapes on top.
Cover with spruce branches to a height of 35-40 cm.

Using sawdust

The main condition is the dryness of the materials. The procedure includes the following steps:

Cover the ground with plastic film.
Place grape vines on top.
Cover them generously with sawdust to a height of 30-40 cm.
Lay slate, boards or other hard material on top to prevent moisture from passing through.

Covering with foliage

To insulate the grapes in winter, the foliage is collected during the season, thoroughly dried and stored in fabric bags. Leaves infected with pests or diseases should not be used.

Instructions:

Dig a trench up to 18-22 cm deep.
Place grape branches in it.
Sprinkle with foliage to a height of 15 cm.

Cover the top with agrofibre, metal mesh or lay wooden boards. Otherwise, the foliage will be blown away by the wind.

Application of film

Experienced gardeners try to cover grapes with film. Its advantages are its durable structure and good heat conductivity. The following types of film are available:

Most often, polyethylene film is used for covering. It can hold 5 degrees of heat. With medium strength, it has a high level of water retention. But condensation can form inside, which soaks the vine. Therefore, for better protection, it should be placed under materials such as straw or dry leaves. They absorb moisture while also insulating heat.
Reinforced polyethylene is more durable and retains up to 8 degrees of heat. Provides good protection from cold weather. Increased strength makes the material more resistant to mechanical influences.
The film has an air-bubble appearance. This is very high quality and interesting material. Its advantage is that it retains 11 degrees of heat. Using such a film, you will not need to use a water-absorbing layer.

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Advice!

The films help retain heat quite well and prevent water from entering. But most of it will require a water-absorbing layer, which is sometimes difficult to accomplish. Therefore, there are ways to use other covering materials.

Basic rules for insulating grapes

Regardless of the chosen method of covering grape bushes for the winter, adhere to the following rules:

do not place grape branches on bare ground without available materials;
if the ground part remains open and the area is blown by the wind, be sure to install protective barriers on the side of the air flow;
try to cover the maximum area around the bush (at least a radius of 50-60 cm);
mulch the areas between the rows;
disinfect insulation;
To repel rodents, additionally place other plants next to the grapes that do not like pests (tansy, black elderberry, wormwood, wild rosemary, calendula).

Use leaves, weeds, tomato tops, spruce branches, etc. as mulch between rows.

Pros and cons of film shelter

The film is a reliable covering material; it has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of using polymer film: Grapes covered with film are more reliably protected from cold air and will withstand winter better.

When installing a film shelter, large physical costs are not required. To cover the grape bushes with soil, you need to dig grooves between the rows, work with a shovel for a long time, and calculate the height of the layer.

The main disadvantage of film shelter is the risk of the greenhouse effect. If you only have a dark or transparent film on hand, after installation it must be covered with whitewash or white oil paint.

The nuances of covering grapes depending on the region

The peculiarities of climatic conditions oblige us to adhere to the following rules for covering grapes:

Moscow region. It is advisable to use the trench method of shelter. Material – dry (leaves, sawdust, spunbond). Film cannot be used.
Leningrad region. Due to high humidity, the grapes are laid on the surface of the ground (without a trench). Due to stagnation of melt water in the spring, in the fall the vineyard is equipped with a drainage system. To insulate the bush, preference should be given to spruce branches and agrofibre.
Kuban. Against the backdrop of a warm climate, Kuban grapes rarely require insulation - only those that grow in the lowlands. It is enough to use partial cover.
Volga region. There is a sharp continental climate - with little snow, severe frosts in winter and hot summers. Therefore, the cover must be complete and powerful.
Central Russia. The region is famous for its abundance of snow, so the best option is to insulate the grapes with snowdrifts and spruce branches.
Chernozem region. Quite often on winter days the sun shines, warming the air to above-zero temperatures. Because of this, it is prohibited to use non-woven materials that do not allow air to pass through, otherwise condensation will occur. The best raw materials are agrofibre, spruce branches, foliage, etc.

Rules for covering grapes in other countries:

Ukraine. In the southern part of Ukraine, grapes are not insulated. In other regions of the country, it is enough to make a shelter from foliage, spruce branches, spunbond, pressing the branches to the ground.
Belarus. In countries with high humidity, trench structures are not used; grapes are laid on the ground or wrapped on trellises. The optimal material is spruce branches.

Features of sheltering young grapes for the winter

Before insulating young trees, pruning is not carried out, but only the top is cut off to roughen the wood. This is the main difference in pre-winter activities from adult grapes. Watering stops in August.

Features of insulation of young grapes:

Remove foliage if any remains.
Dig a shallow ditch.
Roll the vine into a ring.
Secure the grapes in the trench.
Cover with straw (you can use other material).
Cover the top with boards or slate.

It is necessary to cover the plant before the first frost appears, since the vine of a young bush is still tender and is subject to freezing.

You can watch the video about sheltering young grapes:

Covering with earth

She uses earth cover very often. Everything is done very simply and reliably. Moreover, it is fast and does not require special expenses.

The soil is collected between the rows. But they do this extremely carefully, retreating from the trunk at least 0.5 meters so as not to expose or damage the roots. The vine is laid as described above, and then it is simply buried in a layer of 30 cm. The soil must be moist, loose, and light. The moisture will evaporate and transfer heat to the plant.

If there is not a lot of snow in the region, then you need to dig shallow trenches where you can place the vines. Knowing that the snow will not cover the branches, you need to put more earth on top of the vine.

They also practice layer-by-layer shelter - when a 10 cm layer of earth alternates with a layer of hay, straw or other material.

With this method, it is important to open the vine in time. You can’t wait for it to overheat, dry out or rot under the spring waters.