Features of insulating grapes in Siberia: how to properly cover them for the winter

Many gardeners in Siberia are passionate about growing grapes, but the climatic features of the region make adjustments to this process. Breeders develop new frost-resistant varieties every year. However, grapes still need care and shelter for the winter. How to cover it correctly and with what will be discussed in this article.

Features of the climate of Siberia

In Western Siberia the climate is sharply continental, and the weather conditions in the eastern part of Siberia are influenced by the relief features. Winters in the macroregion are long and frosty, and summers are short. But such conditions also have advantages for gardening. The grapes are resistant to pests and are not susceptible to diseases. In Siberian conditions, it is not affected by the dangerous phylloxera aphid.

Despite the climate, early and some mid-season varieties grow successfully and produce a harvest, provided that the vine is covered and protected from freezing.

Timing for covering grape bushes in Siberia

Siberian autumn takes a short period of time, no more than two months, and quickly turns into a harsh, long winter. For this reason, they begin to cover the grapes at the end of September - beginning of October in order to catch them before the first frost. But there's no need to rush.

You can remove the vine from the trellis earlier, but it is better to wait until the leaves fall and do not pick them off yourself. At this time, complex biochemical processes take place in the vine for the complete ripening of shoots and buds.

At what temperature should you cover grapes?

There is no need to wrap the entire bush at once. Temperature changes can cause condensation to form and dampen the plant. A period is needed when the fluctuations in sub-zero temperatures pass - before the snow falls. It is useful to harden the plant at -5...-8°C. Finally, the grapes can be covered at a constant temperature below -10°C.

Reference. In Siberia, the covering of grapes is completed by mid-October.

Which grapes do not need to be covered and why?

Technical and some table varieties tolerate winter well. The non-covering varieties also include frost-resistant ones: Isabella, Lydia, Amethyst.

Juices and wines are made from Isabella grapes. The Lydia and Amethyst varieties are most often used to decorate gazebos.

How to prepare grapes for shelter in Siberia

Preparing the bush for winter begins in September immediately after harvesting. It includes pruning, watering, feeding. The growth of the vine and next year’s harvest depend on how the plant overwinters.

Trimming

Pruning makes it easier to cover the vines. The best time for the procedure is mid-September, but at least 1-2 weeks after harvest, so that the plant has time to recover. If by that time the bush has not dropped its leaves, they are shaken off by hand. If you prune before leaf fall, the vine will lose its plasticity. Such branches will break when placed in a trench.

Trim the vine down to living wood - its cut should be light green. 1-2 cm of shoot are left above the living bud. After pruning, a certain number of buds should remain on each fruit branch, depending on the thickness of the shoot:

• 5 mm - 5 pcs.;
• 6 mm - 5-6 pcs.;
• 7 mm - 7-8 pcs.;
• 8 mm - 8-9 pcs.;
• 9 mm - 9-11 pcs.;
• 10 mm - 11-13 pcs.;
• 11 mm - 12-14 pcs.;
• 12 mm - 13-15 pcs.

30% of spare eyes are left on the plant in case of freezing.

Important! Fruit-bearing shoots are shortened by 60-90%.

Watering

The frequency and abundance of moisture depends on the composition of the soil. Sandy substrate requires frequent but moderate watering. Clay soil is watered rarely and abundantly. After harvesting, watering can be stopped for a while. This imitation of drought will accelerate the ripening and lignification of the vine, and the grapes will overwinter better.

Moisture-recharging irrigation is carried out at the end of September, on the last sunny days. After it, the lashes will be saturated with moisture, become flexible, and will be easy to bend to the ground. For fruit-bearing plants, the norm is 100-150 liters per 1 square meter. m landings.

Top dressing

During the growing season, the plant uses up its entire supply of nutrients. To set the buds of the future harvest, it is necessary to fertilize it:

1. Spill the soil with a solution of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (20 g and 10 g per 10 liters of water).
2. Once every three years, the following composition is applied to the bush: 1 kg of chernozem, 30 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium fertilizer.
3. You can add boric acid, potassium permanganate, iodine and zinc sulfate to water for irrigation, but not more than 15 g of each substance per 10 liters of water.

Before winter, grapes should not be fed with nitrogen-containing mineral compounds, which cause rapid growth of green mass.

Treatment against diseases and pests

Fungal spores found on bark and foliage survive at sub-zero temperatures. To prevent their re-spread, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying with 1% copper sulfate. In the fight against oidium and mites, the drugs “Nitrophen” and “DNOC” are suitable.

Disinfection of covering material

Non-woven material does not need to be disinfected. But natural is better handle:

1. Dry leaves. It is raked around the trunk and treated with fungicides (Maxim, Oksikhom, Fundazol) or Bordeaux mixture against spores of pathogenic fungi.
2. Straw. Herbs are added to it to repel rodents. This is wormwood, marigold, tansy.
3. Spruce spruce branches itself has disinfecting properties.
4. Wood flooring, mats and straw mats are treated with a solution of copper sulfate in a proportion of 10 g per 1 liter of water.

Covering methods

How to cover grapes for the winter in Siberia? There are many types of shelter. Each gardener decides for himself which method to use. Slate, cardboard, natural materials, and snow are used for shelter.

The influence of climate on the choice of method

In regions with a changeable climate, where winter is accompanied by thaws and rains, air-dry shelters are made for grapes. Guaranteed protection against freezing, getting wet and icing is provided by the tunnel method. In regions where there is little snow, it will not be possible to use a shelter made of snow and earth.

Near-standard instillation

This type of shelter is used for young plants. A vine older than a year cannot be covered in this way. The branches of the vine are fastened together and bent. The standard is buried in a layer of earth 20-25 cm high.

Half cover

This method is used for frost-resistant varieties in the harsh conditions of Siberia.

Procedure:

1. Remove the vine from the support.
2. Lay on the ground.
3. Cover with agrofibre.

Full Cover

Used for young plants and regions where winter temperatures drop to -20°C. They use earth and snow for protection.

Snow

Snow acts as a natural insulator that protects bushes from freezing. The vine is bent to the ground, the hole is covered with earth, and then covered with snow.Every centimeter of snow provides one degree of heat to the plant.

Earth

The oldest and most reliable method. A trench is dug along the row using a shovel, tied vines are placed and covered with an earthen mound 15-20 cm high.

This method has a drawback: the plant can sap, since there are no vents.

Straw or reed

This method refers to the trench method. Dig a trench along the plantings, lay the vines tied in a bunch, and cover the top with straw or reeds.

The method is not very suitable for winter shelter in Siberia, as it may attract mice.

Leafy

The foliage is collected around the bush and placed on top of the vine, 30-35 cm thick, thereby protecting the roots from freezing. But first it must be treated with fungicides, for example, “Fundazol”, “Oxychom” or Bordeaux mixture. A film is stretched over the layer of leaves.

Needles

This is not the best insulation. The needles get wet, freeze, preventing the vine from breathing, and provide poor insulation.

Other materials

Instead of pine litter, it is better to use spruce branches. Coniferous branches allow air to pass through well, disinfect and repel rodents.

Sawdust is also used, but it must be covered with film. This is not a very good option, as the material attracts mice.

Important! Calcium carbide is placed under winter shelters, which repels rodents.

Dry shelter

The safest and most common way. The vine is also bent to the ground, but it is laid on non-woven material or any dry organic matter. This allows the vine to not come into contact with the ground and remain dry. The insulation is pulled over the top, leaving an air gap between the plant and the shelter.

Slate

Slate prevents precipitation from entering the vineyard.A film or agrofibre is laid under the vine and insulated with spruce branches on top. The entire structure is covered with slate.

Film

The material is pulled over metal arcs. It turns out to be a low greenhouse. Cardboard or planks covered with spruce branches or straw are laid under the vine.

Ruberoid

Roofing material is used in the same way as film, or combined with wooden panels. Wooden shields are installed over the laid grapes and covered with roofing felt on top. The design resembles a gable roof of a house. Secure with sprinkled earth.

In boxes

The boxes are used in the same way as roofing felt, or they are attached to metal arches, like a film.

Other materials

You can use polystyrene foam. The bush is insulated with pine needles, covered with pieces of foam plastic and wrapped in polyethylene. In the spring, the polystyrene foam is removed, and the pine needles are left as mulch.

You can wrap adult plants with several layers of agrofibre and secure with twine. A layer of snow is well retained on its surface.

Which method is preferable in Siberia

In Siberia, they prefer the dry method of covering using available materials. Dig a trench or install greenhouses. Great attention when preparation by winter they devote to the root system. The trunk circle is covered with spruce branches.

Features of sheltering young grapes

Young plants are very sensitive to cold, so they need to be protected as much as possible. The young bush is hilled up and a frame made of metal or wood (bucket, wooden box) is put on it. Cover the top with film and roofing felt.

Common Mistakes

Failure to comply with the deadlines and technology for preparing for winter can destroy the grapes:

1. Early Cover. The vine needs to be given time to harden, so it will better survive the winter.First, make a temporary shelter, and when a stable temperature is below -10°C, you can wrap the bushes.
2. Contact with the ground. In Siberia, it is better to use the dry method, when a layer of spruce branches, leaves or non-woven material is laid under the laid vine. This way the vine has a better chance of not resisting.
3. Hasty release from protection in the spring. Don't rush to get rid of the covering material. Return frosts are dangerous for young buds. Release the grapes when the snow has completely melted and the temperature has reached above zero.

Conclusion

In order for the grapes to survive the winter, they need to be prepared - pruned in a timely manner, fed and watered, and allowed to ripen and harden the vine. It is important to take care of shelter, since in Siberia snow alone is not enough to protect against frost and temperature changes. Well wintered grapes Will definitely please you with the harvest next year.