In the spring, many experienced gardeners plant grapes with seedlings. To get a good crop, you need to know how to do it right. In this article you will learn all the details of this procedure and the optimal dates for the lunar calendar in 2019 and 2020.
Optimal planting dates in different regions
Grapes are very popular in the suburbs and central regions. It is necessary to focus on weather conditions, but in general, landing begins in the second half of May. You can plant plants in late April and early May, but then the seedlings are placed in a greenhouse.
The earliest planting begins in the South, where already from the second half of the month growers planted cuttings and seedlings with might and main.
In Siberia and the Urals, spring planting of grapes is necessary after 2-3 days from the standard planting period, when frost has passed and nothing threatens the plant.
Lunar Calendar Dates
In the current 2019 year, according to the lunar calendar, the most favorable period for planting seedlings of selected grapes is the month of April, or rather the period from 11 to 17 of the day, and from 21 to 26 of the day.
April is the best month for planting, so these days it is worth making some time for gardening in order to enjoy the yield of your favorite grape variety in the future. This can not always be done, but if these days do not work out, then at least you should avoid gardening during adverse times, and according to the lunar calendar 2019. The following periods are considered as such:
- 6, 7 and 21 in March;
- 5 and 19 in April;
- 5 and 19 in May;
- 3, 4 and 17 in June.
In 2020, favorable days for planting grapes will be:
- March 3-5;
- March 17;
- March 27-28;
- April 1-2;
- April 7-8;
- 14th of April;
- April 28th.
Among the adverse days of 2020:
- March 14th;
- March 22-23;
- April 19-22.
Pros and cons of spring planting
Of the main advantages of spring planting, the following should be noted:
- Acceptable temperatures. In the spring, especially in April, there is no need to experience relatively serious frosts, therefore, the risk of seedling death after planting is excluded.
- Survival rate. Thanks to good weather conditions, the seedling perfectly passes the adaptation period, takes root, and thanks to this, its resistance to low temperatures is significantly increased. He is kind of tempered.
- Training. There is a lot of time for the advance preparation of the soil, which during the winter will have time to be well-nourished with useful substances. Over time, they will move to grapes, which will better cope with weather conditions and even parasites.
Along with the advantages of spring planting, there are also disadvantages:
- Treatment. Before planting a seedling in spring, it is necessary to cultivate the earth from harmful microorganisms and parasites that wake up and become active just in the spring.
- Weather. It is difficult for weather forecasters to predict weather conditions recently, so the risk of frost in the early spring still remains and this must be taken into account.
- Grade selection. With the choice of varieties in the spring it is rather scarce, as wine growers try to sell them in the autumn. We'll have to buy seedlings in the fall and take care of them until the beginning of the spring planting period.
Choosing a planting time should be based on personal capabilities and preferences, then at any time the vine grower will have wonderful plants.
Choosing the Right Grade
Many beginners miss the moment of choosing a variety, which is a gross mistake. It is important to select a variety according to the weather characteristics in a particular region and personal preferences in terms of not only taste but also care.
To begin with, it is worth sorting out the ripening dates, since different regions have different temperatures, and climatic conditions are not always suitable for the grape variety. The fruit may simply not ripen if there is not enough heat.
Important indicators are frost resistance and weakness to various diseases. Choose complex-resistant grape varieties and various hybrid forms that have the most attractive characteristics. You can learn about the best frost-resistant grape varieties from this article.
What should be a seedling?
There are two types of seedlings: vegetative and lignified, while before choosing, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main characteristics and features of each type:
- Under the vegetative understand the stalk that was planted in early spring. It is often called green, because by the next green when the planting should take place, usually the stalk already has several green leaves.
- Lignified seedlings are called a year-old grape bush. They dig it out in the fall, and then store it in a cool place and always in wet sand. To preserve it, it is important that the percentage of humidity in the room does not fall below 85, because under other conditions, mold and other microbial organisms can develop.
Suitable landing place
Equally important for the future grapes is the chosen place. It is desirable that this is a well-lit piece of land where the plant will receive maximum solar energy. You should also consider such nuances of landing:
- Planted cuttings should be located at a distance of 3-6 meters from large trees. This rule is due to the fact that trees strongly draw useful substances from the soil, and grapes simply do not get the necessary elements for growth. If the root system has grown too much, then the distance must be increased.
- It is recommended to plant cuttings in the southern and western sides of the buildings. So, plants will receive the necessary heat even at night - it gives the heat of buildings accumulated over the whole day. Cuttings will grow better and give a good harvest faster.
- There is not always a place to place the plant near the building, and then you should pay attention to the elevated areas. It can be a slope from the southwest, west and south sides.
- Do not place the cuttings in the lowlands, because there frosts and any temperature differences are felt most strongly - grapes may simply not stand it.
- It is advisable to bypass the side of the place where groundwater is located close to the soil.
Soil features
The soil should be sufficiently fertile. According to statistics, most of the nutrients are in the upper soil layer, so the upper layer (about 10-15 cm) is not thrown out during the preparation of the pit. It is used in the future, alternating with fertilizers and thereby preparing excellent soil for the future vineyard.
Requirements
It is necessary to take into account all the requirements that will help to get a good harvest. We will talk about them further.
What depth should I plant?
The opinions of winegrowers vary greatly in this regard. Some believe that the pits of 50 cm are quite suitable, others are sure that the recess should have a depth of at least a meter. Under moderate climatic conditions, gardeners prefer to plant cuttings to a depth of 70 cm.
At what distance should I plant?
The distance between the cuttings, if several seedlings are planted, must certainly be taken into account by the gardener. The distance depends solely on the type of grape. So, it is desirable to plant weak and medium-sized species at a distance of 1.3-1.5 m, and strong varieties require a slightly different approach. They require at least 1.8-2 m, and the most optimal is 2.5 m, if the owner of the site has this opportunity.
Insufficient distance will affect the quality and growth of the grapes, because the cuttings will not receive sufficient nutrition, lighting and ventilation. This seriously increases the risk of the disease, and yield will be significantly reduced. Also, thickened plantings age faster.
How and what to fertilize the soil before the procedure?
In most areas, the soil does not contain enough natural nutrients and components, and if you choose the wrong place, the growth of grapes remains a big question. In order to exclude plant death, various diseases and increase immunity, it is necessary to fertilize the area where the future vineyard will be located.
Experts recommend the use of mineral and organic fertilizers. You can make several layers of this type:
- chernozem 10-15 cm;
- a bucket of rotted manure;
- a layer of fertilizer to choose from (150-200 potash, 400 grams of ordinary or 200 grams of double superphosphate);
- may additionally use a pair of cans of wood ash;
- another layer of black soil.
Preparing planting material
The choice between a seedling or a cuttings depends solely on the needs and wishes of the owner of the site, but you will have to prepare the plants in any case.
Shanks (Chubuki)
First you need to leave the cuttings in a calm condition at home for several days. It doesn’t matter if they were bought or were dug up by a wine grower well in advance in the fall. They should adapt a little to temperature.
If the cuttings are grown and prepared on their own, then you need to check their condition for mold, browning or painful spots. If mold is detected, they can be washed in a solution of potassium permanganate, in which disinfection is also carried out for 30 minutes. This can be done even if the handle is in perfect condition. After half an hour, the cuttings are washed with ordinary running water.
The next step is slicing to update slices. At the same moment, wine growers simultaneously check the middle on the cut, noting the color. The black and brown dried middle can be considered dead. Make sure the slices are smooth.
After this, soaking, furrowing, treatment with a stimulant of root formation are carried out, and even then they put on germination.
Seedlings
With seedlings, the situation is a bit simpler. Preparation begins in 1-2 days, it includes competent trimming of the root system and soaking in a solution of a growth stimulator.
Sometimes purchased stimulants growers replace a solution of honey and water in a proportion of 1 tbsp. l for 1 liter This will provide a great start for the seedling and allow it to quickly take root, and therefore strengthen.
Methods of planting seedlings
There are many ways of planting grapes and each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages, which should be guided when choosing.
Classical
In the classical method, seedlings are well washed before planting. Cut the container (if it was in the container), put the seedling on the bottom of the pit, and on the north side of the peg for tying, fill the plant over an earthen coma, compact and pour over warm water. Next, the pit is poured to a height of up to the first leaf, but this is after watering.
On the trellis
This method allows you to well organize the vineyard. For this scheme, it is necessary to prepare the place in advance by installing the trellises in the necessary order, depending on the number of seedlings. And then there is a landing, as in the first embodiment.
Keep a distance of at least 2 m, make supports from metal pipes with a diameter of 10 cm. For tying, a wire with a diameter of 5 cm is used - it is important that it be in a plastic shell.
On the ridges
This method is well suited for the northern regions, as it provides maximum heat and eliminates flooding. To begin with, a trench is prepared (located in a southerly direction) 10 m long, 1 m wide and 30-40 cm deep.
After this, soil is poured above 30-35 cm from the ground, mulched, insulated, heat-retaining material is placed, cuttings are planted 40 cm in depth. As irrigation, a metal pipe with a diameter of 30 cm is used.
In the greenhouse
Planting in a greenhouse differs only in that the seedlings are watered once a week and well insulated. Watering is desirable to reduce as flowering and fruit formation.
In containers
In the northern regions, grapes are planted in containers. To do this, cuttings are planted in plastic bags without a bottom, but they must be placed on a suitable pallet. Their standard size is 30 by 40 cm. Humus and deciduous soil are used as soil, before planting, the roots are sprinkled with clay with manure (Kornevin can be used), and left at home for storage.
When the first kidneys appear, packets are sent to a site located in the shade for a couple of days, after which they are transferred to the sunny area. When the weather becomes warm, and the most suitable for planting grapes spend seedlings buried in the ground.
Moldavian
A long vine is twisted and tied with a strong rope, after which it is planted in a hole. At the same time, no more than 2-3 kidneys are left on the surface. Plant care is the same as with the classical method.
Thickening
With a thickening of 1 square. m is grown at least 7 bushes. This method is more suitable for warm areas. The branches are cut short enough, planted in the classical way, grown in bush form.
Features of planting grapes in the lowlands
Lowlands are considered inappropriate places. Due to the lack of sunlight, stagnation of water and freezing, the seedlings are in danger. Landing in the lowlands is possible, but the method of A.G. Kudryavtseva, who suggested planting plants in trenches and wrapping them well with heat-preserving material (bricks, slate, ordinary boards).
Subsequent grape care after planting
After planting grapes, it must be carefully looked after. How to do it right, we will talk further.
Watering
After planting, at least 10-14 days must pass for the first watering to take place. It is advisable to do this in the evening and pour 2-3 buckets of warm water under the bush. Subsequent watering occurs after two weeks, and then it should proceed from the drying of the substrate.
Loosening
Loosening is considered an obligatory step in the care of grapes, since this way the substrate passes air to the root system. Loosen the earth periodically, you can exclude this moment if you sprinkle the earth around the plant with a light layer of straw or hay.
Top dressing
With proper planting, there is no need to constantly fertilize the earth. This is only required if the soil was poor and the grapes grow quite slowly and poorly in general. Then organic and mineral fertilizers are used, which are bred in water. Usually, the dosage indicated by the manufacturer is on the packaging and should be followed.
Read more about what top dressing is suitable for grapes in the spring in the next article.
Pest and Disease Treatment
Spraying grapes in the spring from pathogens must be carried out before budding. Experts recommend the use of fungicidal preparations that process not only the vine, but also the sleeves, trunk and ground at the base. If there are a lot of pests, then the procedure should be repeated after 10 days.
Pruning
Pruning is done at the beginning and end of summer. The undergrowth is removed, as are the upper roots of the seedlings. An important step is the cutting of the first roots from the surface, for which they remove the topsoil to a depth of 20 cm.
After the work done, the pit must be re-filled. Pruning is not worth it, because real and full pruning is done only for 3 years of plant growth.
Garter
With long vines, the garter is carried out by long wooden pegs or trellis. Also, metal pipes can be used as a base.
Wintering
Warming is simply necessary for young seedlings. In winter, grapes are laid in a trench, after which they are mulched. If we talk about the thickness, then it should be chosen according to climatic conditions in a particular region.
Possible mistakes during spring planting of grapes
Even experienced growers can make the mistake of planting young seedlings. Of the most popular, it is worth noting the following points:
- strong deepening (the bush will grow poorly);
- seedlings from other regions (local climatic conditions are not suitable for them and they die);
- inappropriate place (a little light, places, flooding and freezing interfere with the normal growth of the plant);
- plantings of strongly and undersized varieties nearby (some prevent others from developing).
Useful tips and tricks
Use trusted suppliers or prepare seedlings on your own. It will not be superfluous to prepare the ground for planting in advance in order to further engage in other stages of care.
Try to adhere to these rules when planting, so as not to make a mistake with the depth or distance between plants, because this critically affects the growth of the seedling and the future harvest.
Plant grapes at the right time and in the right weather conditions, otherwise you can forget about a favorable outcome.
Growing grapes is a rather complicated and painstaking process that requires careful study and consideration of the needs of a particular variety. However, hard work is rewarded when it comes time to harvest. With a competent approach, the quantity and quality of fruits will always be at their best.