Grapes belong to the genus of plants of the Grape family. Translated into Latin, Vitis vinifera means cultivated grape, which is a perennial shrub crop that grows in most regions of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The temperate climate allows the vines to germinate annually, producing large clusters of sweet berries that vary in size, color, taste and shape, depending on the variety. Gardeners, thanks to the daily work of breeders, can choose any variety of grapes they like, suitable for the climatic characteristics of the region, soil and individual taste preferences. The variety of varieties, fortunately, is not limited to a few options. There are more than 5,000 varieties in the world. Of these, more than 55% of varieties are suitable for cultivation in Russia and the CIS countries.
Since ancient times, grapes have been grown by farmers and serfs to obtain a good harvest for food. The berries were used both fresh and for making white, rose and red wine. The first sources about the cultivation of branchy shrubs came in our days thanks to the frescoes depicted on the tombs of the pharaohs of Egypt. There are also references in chronicles that speak of the germination of the berry, known to all summer residents, in ancient times. More than 8 thousand years ago, recipes were already known according to which various wines were prepared, distinguished by their tart or delicate taste and refined aroma. Each drink differed in strength and age.
True, if previously the drink of the “Gods” and fresh berries were available only to the highest nobility, in the modern world grapes have become available to all people. Even pensioners and people with low incomes have the opportunity to saturate their bodies with useful vitamins, minerals and microelements contained in the product. When growing grapes in a summer cottage or backyard, you can achieve a hefty harvest in a short time, following the rules of agricultural technology and care recommendations.
Planting grapes in 2022 according to the Lunar calendar will allow you to select the most favorable days for planting cuttings in open ground. The dates may fall in either spring or autumn. The most important thing is that land work takes place during the fertile phases of the Moon, which do not fall during the New Moon and Full Moon periods, barren constellations and zodiac signs that carry negative energy for any garden work. Then the collected bunches of berries will allow you to use grapes, both fresh and as the main ingredient, for preparing the following dishes and drinks: wine, juice, compote, marinade for meat and fish, raisins, jam, preserves and even vinegar.
Young grape leaves can be used to prepare dishes of Transcaucasian and Eastern European cuisines: dolma, cabbage rolls, suluguni, tolma and dolma. You can extract cosmetic oil from the seeds of the berries, which is used to care for the skin of the face, body and hair.
When is it better to plant grapes, spring or autumn?
Planting grapes in 2022 can occur not only in the spring, but also in the autumn season, when there is more than a month and a half left before frost. During this period of time, the young seedling will have time to take root and rest in the winter, before the start of the summer season.
Planting in spring also has its advantages. Many gardeners note that young seedlings take root better in warm soil, having time to fully take root and develop over the summer in order to give their owner the first fruits next year.
Advantages of planting in autumn:
1) moist soil is most favorable for rooting cuttings; 2) after the summer season the soil cools down longer; 3) the soil contains many useful minerals accumulated due to agricultural work and fertilizer; 4) planting in autumn is 85% most successful due to the market. At agricultural fairs you can find more quality plants after summer than after wintering. Most sellers offer fresh seedlings that are of high quality; 5) if you follow the recommendations when planting before winter, the grapes actively grow with the onset of the next season, without receiving stress.
Choosing the best season for planting grapes is not easy. If the gardener has enough time to monitor the rooting of the plant, it is better to postpone the soil work until the fall. If time is limited, and in the summer, no matter how you look at it, you will have to spend free hours in the garden, you should prefer spring planting with a longer growing season.
Treating plants against diseases and pests
Next, a scheme for processing grapes will be presented. The procedure for spraying grapes in the spring against various harmful microorganisms is carried out before the buds begin to bloom. Experts advise using fungicidal preparations for these purposes. They process the vine itself, the sleeves, the trunk, and the soil at the base. If there are a lot of pests, this procedure should be repeated after 10 days.
Trimming
The pruning procedure is carried out at the very beginning and end of summer. All rootstock should be removed. You also need to remove the top roots of the seedlings. A very important step is trimming the roots, the first from the surface. To do this, remove the top layer of soil and a depth of 20 cm. After the work has been done, the hole should be filled up again.
You should not get carried away with the pruning procedure, since full pruning is carried out only in the third year of the seedling’s growth.
Garter
If the plant’s vine is very long, then the garter procedure is carried out using long wooden pegs or a trellis. You can also use metal pipes as a base.
Wintering
Young seedlings require insulation. In winter, grape seedlings are placed in a trench, and then the mulching procedure is carried out. If we are talking about thickness, then it should be chosen based on the climatic conditions in a particular region.
Preparing grape cuttings before planting
Before purchasing cuttings, it is recommended to pay attention to the cuts. High-quality seedlings will have a green wood tint and uniform bark. The sick and old will not conform to these rules and will have defects.
To ensure good quality cuttings, it is worth checking the humidity level. To do this, many agronomists recommend making a small incision using a sharp, pre-disinfected blade. With its help, you can understand whether the future seedling contains sap or not. If a drop of juice appears after the action, then the plant can reproduce.
When you press on a kidney, the bark should not fall off or break. When an incision is made, there should be healthy tissue with a slight fluff. In unusable condition, the inside of the eye is painted in dark shades, close to black. If all the buds look like this, the cuttings should not be germinated. The work will not bring results.
When propagating your own grapes growing in the garden, you should cut the branches into cuttings, making cuts on both sides. The length of each branch should not exceed 45 cm. For accelerated germination, the cuttings are placed in water, without confusing the side of bud growth. More than 2 cm of living tissue is left above the topmost bud, and an oblique cut is made under the bottom one.
Transplanting into a pot and growing cuttings in an apartment
In regions with cold climates, planting in early spring is not recommended. In Siberia, the Urals and the Far East, initial planting in a small container for growing before planting in open ground is recommended. Low temperatures that persist until mid-May are unfavorable for the heat-loving crop. In order not to destroy young grape seedlings, planting is recommended on the 20th of May, when the bad weather gives way to warm air and summer sun rays.
In March, planting is allowed only in warm regions where temperatures reach 15-16 degrees during the daytime. The Krasnodar Territory and Kuban, Rostov-on-Don and the Crimean Peninsula can begin cultivation at the beginning of spring. For the rest, it is recommended to delay planting, choosing a later month for planting - April or May.
Indoor growing of cuttings involves processing and planting and a small container filled with fertile soil. It is recommended to carry out work according to the Lunar calendar, observing the most favorable planting dates.
A day before pre-planting, the cuttings are soaked first in hot and then in cool water, diluted with a small amount of manganese, aloe juice and root. As the optimal container, choose soluble bowls: peat cups, paper boxes from dairy products. Choose fertile soil, offered by garden stores for growing shrubs.
Cultivation, before planting in open ground, at home continues until the recommended indicators are established in the daytime. If the earth has not yet completely warmed up, you should start hardening off the young grape seedlings. To do this, you should take containers with seedlings outside or an open balcony for several hours, and then bring them back. Gradually getting used to the cool air will allow the grapes to quickly acclimatize in the garden without stopping their growth.
It is recommended to water regularly so that the soil does not have time to dry out. At the same time, the soil should not be extremely swampy. Hydration should remain moderate.
As a fertilizer before transplanting, you can use three fertilizers:
1) eggshells; 2) infusion of banana skins; 3) yogurt, diluted 1/2 with settled water.
When to plant grapes in open ground, each gardener can decide for himself. It is enough to listen to the favorable days indicated in the Lunar calendar, dates by region and crop variety to help the plant take root more quickly.
In which regions are grapes pruned in October?
In the northern regions of the country, it is customary to start pruning 30 days earlier - in September. In other regions, grapes are usually pruned in October, but in such a way as to do so before the onset of frost.
In October, grapevine pruning is carried out in the following regions of Russia:
- Crimea.
- Krasnodar region.
- Stavropol region.
- Chechnya.
- Dagestan.
- Ingushetia.
- Kabardino-Balkaria.
- Adygea.
- Karachay-Cherkessia.
- North Ossetia.
- Astrakhan region.
- Saratov region.
- Volgograd region.
- Rostov region.
- Tomsk region.
In the southern regions with a favorable climate, growing and caring for bushes on the plains and in the mountains is allowed.
ATTENTION! The rules apply to all varieties of perennials.
Landing location
Grapes can only be planted on an open surface. Areas with diffuse and shadow lighting are not suitable for culture. Areas that fall out near buildings and fences, areas where trees and other shrubs grow, tall vegetables and berries should be avoided. They will have a detrimental effect on the growth of grape crops and fruit formation.
For northern regions and areas with a cool climate, agronomists recommend placing three-liter jars filled with water around the seedlings. In the daytime, they will better give light to young grapes, and at night they will warm them, making the decrease in temperature not so obvious.
When planting grapes near trees, raspberries and currants, the gardener risks being left without a harvest in the future. Due to the shady area and lack of free space in the soil for the roots, the shrub may stop developing or even die. A lack of nutrients will quickly affect the condition of the grape bush.
You should not plant cuttings in areas with high groundwater. Undermining the root system will lead to rotting and death of the plant. It is best to focus on areas of the site where the water level drops below 3-4 meters.
Compared to many shrubs, grapes react poorly to fertilizing with manure and humus. Many summer residents quite often repeat the same mistake, planting cuttings in the places left after cleaning cesspools. This leads to slow development and poor development of the root system.
It is more correct to choose natural complementary foods for fertilizing the berries, which have long been famous for their effectiveness:
- soaked bread crusts;
- curdled milk diluted with water;
- eggshells;
- cleaning vegetable products;
- urea;
- wood ash.
If the chosen planting site is close to the passage of cars, it is worth protecting the grapes from the effects of carcinogens. The following are suitable for this: film, glass, reflecting light and irrigation, used as the leaves become dirty.
The most reliable landing site remains the area of the personal plot, which falls on the south side. For grapes, sun rays are necessary, and most importantly, not dangerous. The sun will protect the crop from the effects of pests and overflows.
Planting grapes in spring
You can plant grapes both in clay soil and black soil, observing the following scheme: 85x85x85 cm. This distance is quite enough to provide each seedling with favorable conditions in the spring. Neighboring bushes will not block the sun as they grow, leaving enough soil for the development of the root system.
When planting grapes in sandy soil, you should deepen the planting hole another 15-20 cm. The total depth should be a little more than a meter. It is better to dig before winter so that the soil has time to settle and become saturated with melted snow. A deep hole will protect young seedlings from frost, allowing the root system to develop faster.
Before planting in a hole, the bottom should be insulated and fertilized so that the plant cannot freeze and develops better in the initial stages. To do this, you should scatter on the bottom of a bucket of crushed stone and expanded clay, mixed in equal proportions. Place nitrogen fertilizers, banana peel infusion and superphosphate on top. Before planting, each hole should be spilled with 2-3 liters of water and planted. The soil is again spilled on top, moistening the soil to its optimal condition.
To ensure that the root system receives maximum oxygen, does not freeze, is well ventilated and can receive fertilizer at any time, many gardeners dig a plastic pipe into the bottom of the hole that extends to the surface of the planting site. With its help, you can produce complementary foods, providing the root system with optimal conditions for germination.
A few weeks after planting, you can re-feed using water, humate and clay. To administer the solution, use the following scheme: 15 liters per 1 table. l. humate, 5-6 liters of clay. The solution should resemble a liquid cream. Each seedling is spilled around a small amount of solution and watered generously.
The above recipe is also suitable for treating grape roots before planting in the spring. The mash is used to apply to sprouted roots before planting in the ground.
Planting grapes in the spring in 2022 according to the Lunar calendar
In order not to destroy the plant at the beginning of cultivation, you should adhere to favorable periods, excluding the New Moon, Full Moon and phases of the Moon that are influenced by barren constellations. It is worth remembering that during decline, plant juices are directed towards root growth, and during growth - upward.
Favorable days for planting:
- in March - 2 and 31;
- in April - 30;
- in May - 29.
Unfavorable days (prohibited) for planting and caring for grapes:
- in March - from 13 to 15, 19, 27 and 28;
- in April - from 9 to 11, 14, 23 and 24;
- in May - 7 and 8, 12 and 13, 20 and 21.
Planting grapes in autumn
You can plant grapes in the autumn according to the same scheme as presented for spring rooting. A distance of 85 cm is enough to grow a good plant.
Before planting, be mindful of sunlight. Despite the fact that when the weather gets colder and daylight hours decrease, it is difficult to decide on a location, you should choose open areas located in the southern part of the site and not adjacent to buildings, trees and other crops.
After planting, the seedling is immediately insulated with spruce needles and sawdust. A trench is made around the planting site so that when water enters, it is retained in the planting site. On the eve of frost, the seedlings are covered with a box and covered with warm material or rubber.
If you don’t want to dig a large hole for grapes, you can use a 130-degree earth drill. Its width will be optimal for deepening the crop. It is permissible to plant in this way, using the same recommendations as in the classic planting option: insulating the bottom, fertilizing, watering before and after.
Favorable days for planting in autumn
In 2022, grapes can be planted in the fall, choosing the optimal months for planting: September and October. Continued warm weather will allow the plant to take root faster without being exposed to cold temperatures.
- In September, planting is recommended on the 4th and 6th.
- In October - 2, from 9 to 13, from 29 to 31.
Prohibited dates that adversely affect plant development should be avoided. Ignoring the calendar can lead to weak plant growth that is susceptible to temperature changes, diseases and pests. Compared to other grapes growing on the site, those planted during the New and Full Moon periods will develop more slowly, causing many problems for its owner.
Possible mistakes when planting grape seedlings in spring
Even many experienced winegrowers sometimes make a mistake when planting young seedlings. Of the more well-known, malting aspects should be noted: very strong deepening (in this case, the grapes will develop poorly). Seedlings brought from other regions. The local climate is simply not suitable for them, and they will die. Unsuitable site (little space, light, frost and constant flooding greatly interfere with the normal development of the plant).
Useful recommendations and tips:
- Always try to buy seedlings from trusted suppliers. Or prepare the seedlings yourself.
- You should also prepare the soil for planting in advance, so that in the future you can take care of other important stages of care. You should adhere to these rules when planting in order to avoid mistakes with the depth or distance between seedlings, as all this will negatively affect their growth and subsequent harvest.
- Try to plant grape seedlings at the right time and under the right weather conditions. Otherwise, you can forget about a good outcome.
Caring for grapes in spring
For a beginner who decides to start growing grapes, it will be difficult at first to learn how to care for grapes. But a gradual study of agricultural technology will allow you to do the work quickly, without wasting a lot of time caring for the Grape family.
Properly performed, and most importantly, timely care will give the owner a large and tasty harvest during the season, which can be used both for food and for preparations.
As soon as the air temperature outside at night reaches 4-6 degrees Celsius, care should be taken to remove the cover from the crop. If the temperature in the region is not constant and frosts are possible, you should weaken the shelter by making holes in it for ventilation. Once the buds begin to grow, the material should be completely removed.
To protect grapes from climate change, you should spray the crop with Epin. A solution mixed with settled water will protect the developing buds at the formation stage. The effect of the drug lasts about 14 days. If necessary, the treatment should be repeated.
If after winter a large puddle has formed around the bush, you should get rid of the water by scooping out excess liquid or making small grooves to gradually drain the water. In the future, it is recommended to dig a small mound so that water does not accumulate in the plant growth zone, without adversely affecting the rotting of the roots.
After a visual inspection and opening of the bush, old and injured branches after wintering are pruned. Only healthy tissue should remain. Afterwards, a garter is performed to ensure full growth of the vine. It is better to use scraps from nylon tights instead of thin wire. They harm the plant less.
The next stage is spraying for preventive purposes against pests and diseases. It is allowed to use universal products similar in action to Nitrafen. After irrigation with the solution, collecting the first leaves is prohibited.
In addition to cuttings, many grape varieties are propagated by grafting. The procedure is performed in early spring, when the plant sap is directed to the roots. Before carrying out the procedure, you should watch step-by-step master classes that visually demonstrate the process in photos or videos.
Another mandatory agricultural technique is loosening the soil. After winter, the soil squats, making it difficult for oxygen to reach the roots. To make the soil airy, loosen it after abundant watering so as not to damage the root system hidden in the soil.
Fertilizing can be done using both purchased and folk remedies. You should choose fertilizers that are suitable for growth, affecting the development of vines and the growth of roots after damage.
Regardless of the month, if the climate of the region has warmed up to 15 degrees, summer residents begin planting grapes by propagating the bush or cuttings. By following the planting scheme and treatment against unwanted diseases and pests, young bushes will quickly take root and allow the gardener to enjoy a new grape variety the very next year.
Important!
Beginning gardeners are advised to choose simple varieties that are not fussy about care and agricultural techniques. As the hobbyist gains skills, he will be able to choose varieties of berries on his own, focusing on his free time and the amount of fertilizer needed.
Caring for grapes in summer
In the summer months, when hot weather sets in, it is worth taking care of pinching the vines. The length of each should not exceed 1.5 meters.
In early July, it is recommended to carry out secondary feeding based on eggshells, banana infusion and soaked bread.
As the stepsons grow, you should use pruners so that the grapes do not devote all their energy to their formation, but direct the juice exclusively to the vine to form berry clusters.
In the 20th of July, you should visually inspect the bushes, cutting off excess foliage that shades sunlight from fruit formation.
Once a week, agronomists recommend inspecting the bushes for pests and diseases. If any illness occurs, measures should be taken immediately so as not to lose a crop rich in vitamins and minerals. Among the popular means used for prevention are:
- Fufanon;
- weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- cinnamon diluted with settled water;
- Ridomil;
- garlic water.
Caring for grapes in autumn
After the harvest is completely harvested, you should begin preparing the bush for wintering. The first thing you should pay attention to is fertilizing. After abundant fruiting, the vine loses a lot of juice necessary for further growth and the formation of new fruits. Alternatively, use superphosphate in combination with nitrogen fertilizers and wood ash. The ingredients are mixed and diluted with water. Part is used for irrigation, the other for root feeding.
The next stage is trimming and treating the sections with a natural antibiotic.
A few weeks before the cold snap, when the air temperature drops to 4-5 degrees Celsius, it is worth putting the grapes on the ground so that they can lie down before further covering.
The liana is covered with a bag and tied with nylon so that the cover does not fly off in the wind.
As soon as frost sets in, warm material is laid out on top of the bags so that the main trunk is completely protected from external influences. You can use anything that warms to create a shelter: old jackets, sweatshirts, insulated agrofibre, rubber and even felt fabric.
Cold-resistant varieties do not need to be covered in the fall. They are comfortable with wintering in temperate climates, where the air temperature does not drop below -10-15 degrees when winter sets in. If the crop is grown in more harsh conditions: Siberia and the Urals, it is impossible to do without shelter. Temperatures of -50 will not be able to spare even the most frost-resistant crops, chosen for short summers and cold winters. As a covering material, you can use sawdust or spruce needles, covering the crop with slate or rubberized old mats.
Features of planting
You may be interested in: How to cover grapes for the winter in Siberia How and what to cover grapes for the winter in the first year after planting How to properly cover grapes for the winter in the Leningrad region
Grapes have 4 growing methods: pit, trench, drill and scrap. All these methods have their pros and cons, and are used depending on the space and moisture level of the vineyard site. The trench method is used over large areas, just like the pit method. They are good because they are easy to process - you can approach the bushes from any side; easy to harvest and process the vines. Methods with a drill and a crowbar are used on limited ridges, but they tend to thicken the grapes and can dampen the roots in places where sunlight does not reach.
The main mistakes in growing grapes include:
- Planting of unidentified varieties.
- Use of low-productive shrubs for the tribe.
- Planting sick chibouks.
Also, you should not plant varieties together that have different growth rates and needs for water, ventilation and insolation levels. It is useless to grow southern varieties in Siberia and frost-resistant ones, for example, in the Black Earth region.
Grape processing
Unfortunately, even preventative treatment cannot save grapes from external influences. There are diseases and pests that are easily transferred from nearby growing crops. It is almost impossible to influence this process! Even if you treat the entire garden, you cannot get a 100% guarantee that there will be no damage. “Unexpected guests” can move from the neighboring plot from neighbors, as in the case of the Colorado potato beetle. If some spray, the pest settles in others, and so on in a circle.
To avoid losing grapes, you should carefully inspect the bush for diseases and parasites. When it first appears, it is necessary to start fighting while the plant is not yet completely affected. Treatment must be carried out at least twice with an interval of 10-14 days.
Throughout the summer, for prevention, it is worth treating grapes at least once a month, using a solution of colloidal sulfur, Polychoma or Ridomil. Each drug is taken in a small amount per 10 liters of water. 50 ml is quite enough.
Repeated treatment against pests is recommended before flowering so that the set fruits survive until harvest.
Important!
Treatment during the flowering period is strictly prohibited! The grapes will receive all the harmful carcinogens and additives contained in the product. If time is lost, you should carefully monitor the plant, irrigating it with bitter water once a week, without getting it on the ovaries.
The most popular means for processing grapes today:
- Thiovit Jet;
- colloidal sulfur;
- Bordeaux mixture;
- Strobe;
- Quadris.
For prevention, only one remedy is used. When infected - two, combined with each other.
conclusions
It is no secret that the Moon as a satellite has a strong influence on planet Earth. Although we receive more messages from the media regarding the influence of solar activity on the activities of the human body, the Moon is much closer to the Earth, therefore, even with its small size, it can affect people’s life and well-being, health, processes in the body, and so on.
The fact that the movement of the satellite affects the solid shell of the planet and the waters of the world's oceans is no longer in doubt; In addition, it is worth considering the effect on the magnetic field. Therefore, it is quite important to know favorable lunar days for certain endeavors.
Its specific energy manifests itself depending on which lunar day falls on a particular day - the calendar of endeavors reflects both the best and unfavorable lunar days for various types of activities. Of course, the influence is calculated strictly in accordance with what phase the moon is in in a given period.
Correct pruning of grapes
In order not to harm the crop, you need to learn how to prune grapes correctly, removing only old, damaged and fruited arrows. In autumn, special attention is paid to replacement knots.
When to prune grapes?
The best time for pruning is autumn. In spring, the chance of damage and loss of sap is increased. Therefore, the plant should not be pruned. Prolonged recovery may affect yield and the number of clusters of ovaries.
Pruning grapes in spring
If it is urgently necessary to prune damaged shoots in spring, the procedure should be carried out at a temperature of 4-6 degrees Celsius. If the air warms up to at least 10, the possibility of destroying the plant will increase by an order of magnitude.
Summer pruning of grapes
In the summer, no pruning is done. As the grapes grow, exclusively agricultural techniques are performed, including: pinching, chasing and pinching. These procedures are necessary for a strong harvest and large leaves.
Pruning grapes in autumn
During the autumn months, pruning should be carried out in several stages. First, the crop, links and fruit-bearing arrows are removed, then the tops and weak shoots are removed. Secondly, attention is paid to young shoots, stepsons and tops.
It is recommended to carry out work before the first frost, when the temperature drops to 2-3 degrees Celsius. Pruning a week before placing the vine on the ground will allow the plant to heal wounds and prepare for a period of dormancy.
The photo below shows a diagram of pruning grapes, demonstrating the removal of unnecessary branches and stepsons that affect the formation and future fruiting. With proper pruning, the grapes will easily survive the winter and will not need additional removal of branches in the spring.
Grape formation patterns in October depending on age
The standard grape formation scheme includes 4 years - periods when the bush forms healthy shoots for fruiting. Every year it is necessary to promote the formation of new branches by cutting off excess shoots that interfere with normal vegetation.
1 year
During the first 12 months, the seedling does not have time to develop. It is recommended to trim only shoots that have not grown strong during the season. According to the rules, 3-4 eyes are left. The exception is 2 eyes with a small number of shoots.
2 year
For the 2nd year, you need to make cuts of all fragile sleeves. Gardeners leave only strong, healthy shoots. It is recommended to tie up the grapes before covering.
3-4 year
For fruiting in future periods, you need to leave strong, undamaged shoots. Leave up to 6-10 eyes.
In subsequent years, the perennial grows and bears fruit. Shrub care should be carried out regularly.
