Watering grapes: subtleties and frequent errors

Grapes are usually called sunny berries. He owes his wonderful taste first of all to the sun.However, do not underestimate the importance of timely and proper watering. Water is the second most important source of grapevine growth and high yield. Fertilizing and fertilizing with water allows them to speed up their delivery to the root system and increase their absorption.

Grapes can rightly be attributed to the oldest cultures. It is believed that its wild varieties were able to survive even the ice age. Unpretentious to the conditions of planting his seedlings survive and give a harvest on almost all types of soil - rocky, sandy, volcanic origin. Ideal conditions for growing are gentle slopes of mountains, artificial terraces, mountain plateaus. At the same time, a rich, humus-rich soil reduces the productivity and quality of grapes.

For intensive growth and rich harvests, the soil under the vineyard requires deep processing. For plantation (loosening), manual plowing or mechanized plowing is used. The depth of this treatment depends on the climate in the zone of growing grapes, the quality of the subsoil, and ranges from 60 cm in the northern regions to 100 cm in the south. Soil processing with plows is justified with high soil uniformity - sandy, chernozem, with admixture of fine gravel. In Europe, America and the Crimea, the technology of explosions is used to loosen the soil, which is associated with the characteristics of the soil.

Diluted grapes in two ways - with the use of seeds and vegetative propagation. Seeds are more often used for breeding new varieties. In vegetative breeding, annual or biennial segments of the vine are used for planting. For plants with a mature root system, layering can be used. The successes of modern breeding allow you to get resistant to cold and disease grape varieties. Good results are brought by hybridization of various types. So, with its help, obtained varieties resistant to phylloxera.

Young plants need special care.

During the period of growth they will need the following actions:

• watering;
• soil loosening;
• removal of shoots and roots from the stock;
• treatment of fungal diseases.

Once every 2-3 years, the vineyard should be fertilized. In the spring, phosphate fertilizers (superphosphate) are applied, in the fall - potash fertilizers (potassium sulfate). Natural fertilizers use rotted manure and vegetable compost from vineyard pruning waste. The best results are shown by the combined application of natural and mineral fertilizers. Pruning grapes should be done annually, which will ensure high yields, keep it in winter, balance the work of the root system and the surface part of the bush.

Compliance with the frequency and volume of irrigation is of great importance for the proper formation of the roots of seedlings and provides an increase in the yield of fruit-bearing bushes by 1.5–2 times. It is necessary to start planting in the fall from pouring into the pit for planting a large amount of water (up to 20 liters). Then add the soil mixed with fertilizer, establish a seedling, sprinkle with earth and pour in the same amount of water. After soaking, the roots are completely covered with soil. Planting seedlings in the spring follows the same pattern. The difference is in compliance with the temperature regime - in the fall they use the outdoor temperature water, and in the spring, first pour hot water, and after adding soil - heated in the sun.

Planting irrigation contributes to the high survival rate of seedlings. Watering seedlings in the first year after planting is recommended by filling with water a groove dug around the trunk. At the same time, its diameter should be 50 cm, depth - up to 20 cm. The volume of water for one irrigation is made up to 15 liters per bush. This intensity of irrigation ensures the formation of a strong, well-buried root system of the bush.

Starting from mid-July, you can switch to a two-time watering during the month.When weather conditions change and as the seedlings grow, the intensity of watering changes. In August, you can reduce or completely stop watering. In the spring after the opening of the growing season, it is necessary to provide the vine with a sufficient amount of water. At this time, the need for it is due to the intensive growth of not only the roots, but also the above-ground part of the bush - shoots, leaves.

The first spring watering is not for nothing called charging - it helps waking up from a winter sleep and is carried out even before the eyes mature. Watering time is March. The water temperature is chosen depending on the forecast - if there is a danger of frost, pour cool water; if the prognosis is favorable - warm. Lack of rain in the spring will require additional watering. It is better to spend in April. The second spring watering is done before the flowers appear. Do not water the plants during flowering, as this may damage the pollination and lead to the death of the ovaries.

Summer is the period of formation and ripening of the crop. At this time, the task of irrigation is to maintain the level of soil moisture for uniform feeding of the bushes. As the berries approach the mature state, the amount of water should be limited, and then stop watering, which will enable the berries to accumulate sugar and prevent the formation of cracks. Autumn is the time to prepare the vineyard for the winter. Abundant autumn rains will create a natural supply of water for the winter, so artificial irrigation is not required.

Dry weather in the autumn is a reason for abundant watering. It is carried out in the period from mid-October to early November, but in any case before the onset of frost. The main purpose of abundant autumn irrigation is the accumulation of a sufficient amount of water, which should ensure the nourishment and development of the trunk for the next year. During the whole growing season, the evening is the best time to irrigate the vineyard.

All existing irrigation systems of vineyards can be divided into two types, each of which contains several varieties. These include surface and underground irrigation systems.

The use of each type and the choice of a particular system is determined by such factors as:

• climatic zone in which the vineyard is located;
• average temperature of the season;
• vineyard area;
• the characteristic features of the soil on the site;
• experience of the grower who is engaged in cultivation of culture.

Important: The biological characteristics of specific grape varieties in the irrigated area should be taken into account.

The use of an underground drip irrigation system is justified when rowing bushes. Its organization will require laying a drainage pipe at a depth of 60 cm.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• trench digging for pipe laying;
• isolation of the bottom of the trench with plastic wrap;
• laying on the bottom of large stones and powdered gravel;
• placement of a plastic pipe with holes along the entire length (5-7 cm pitch) and a plug at the end;
• backfill of gravel;
• film cover;
• backfilling of the trench with primer.

A hose is connected to the pipe inlet connecting it to the irrigation tank. Water supply occurs every time by opening the tap on the tank for the time of watering. Installation of automatic opening of the crane at the outlet of the tank allows you to choose the best irrigation schedule.

This method has such advantages as:

• no evaporation water loss;
• water delivery right to the roots;
• ensuring the possibility of uniform and centralized fertilization and fertilizing; for this, ingredients dissolved in water are fed through a pipe directly to the root system of each hive.

The disadvantages include the following:

• the complexity and complexity of the work on the arrangement of the system;
• lack of control of the flow of enough water to each bush;
• if the holes in the drainage pipe are clogged, the water supply of the individual bushes may decrease or stop altogether.

These deficiencies are deprived of another type of underground irrigation systems - using drainage wells. A simple and affordable method for self-improvement is to equip each bush with a personal drainage well. The distance from the trunk to the installation site is 50–100 cm.

The arrangement procedure includes the following actions:

• the device of a well, at the same time it is possible to use the manual drill of suitable diameter;
• backfilling with a mixture of sand and rubble to half the depth;
• insert perforated plastic pipe of suitable diameter;
• backfilling of the space between the walls of the well and the pipe rubble;
• shelter rubble ruberoid;
• backfill with primer.

The advantages of this method are as follows:

• no need for frequent watering and economical use of water during the summer - 25-40 liters will be enough for one bush per month;
• in case of partial blockage of the drainage holes of the stem, it will still receive a sufficient amount of water, and in case of complete obstruction it is easy to get the pipe, clean the holes and put it in place.

The trench irrigation system is a technological hybrid of underground drip irrigation and drainage wells. First, drainage is laid in the prepared trench, and then, with a step of 1–1.5 meters, vertical pipes are installed through which water is successively supplied. For filling the crushed stone of the middle fraction is used, which is covered with roofing felt or film, and filled with soil. The organization of the irrigation system using checks (pits filled with compost) will require minimal effort. Its use is limited to small vineyards.

The method of the device is as follows:

• Digging a check - a pit up to 50 cm deep, 20–25 cm wide and up to 90 cm long;
• the formation of an earth mound along the edges of the check;
• fill the check with water to the brim;
• backfilling with shavings, leaves or any other organic waste.

Further watering is carried out by filling the checks with water through a filter formed by organic filler. The advantages of this method of irrigation lies in the fact that along with the water to the roots of the grapes come organic fertilizers formed in the check as in a small compost pit.

The use of the surface method of watering individual bushes is limited by the small depth of water penetration. This irrigation option is used for young seedlings, in which the root system is not yet sufficiently developed. The method of the device is extremely simple - a groove with a radius of up to 40 cm and a depth of up to 20 cm, which is filled with water, is dug out around the trunk.

In conditions of large vineyards, surface irrigation has its own characteristics. Here for irrigation use furrows, laid between the landing rows. Their depth is 20–25 cm, and the width can reach 40 cm.

The location of the irrigation grooves depends on the distance between the bushes of the adjacent rows and the type of soil between the rows. If the distance between the bushes is not more than 2.5 meters, you should dig two grooves with the distance between them 0.5 meters. With a greater distance equip three grooves. The best results are watering along the furrows when using it in areas with a slope of 0.002 to 0.005. The use of this method of irrigation is unacceptable in the presence of slopes greater than 0.02, because it can lead to the development of soil erosion.

Another type of surface irrigation is the system of drip dosed irrigation. Ease of implementation and efficient use of water is often a decisive factor when choosing it for irrigation.The drip irrigation system is a tube that is stretched along the entire row with drip dispensers near each bush. Water supply is centralized. The advantages of drip irrigation are the ability to maintain the desired water balance throughout the growing season - from the first spring irrigation in March to the last in November. As well as the system provides “targeted” application of fertilizers and fertilizers to each bush.

The sprinkler system is another modern irrigation method. The use of special plants to create artificial rain allows you to create as close as possible to the natural conditions of growing grapes. As a result of spraying, water not only gets to the roots, but also creates a moist atmosphere in the surface layer. Effective use of this method requires accurate calculations of the duration and intensity of irrigation.

The wide distribution of grapes, availability for cultivation in different climatic conditions, high drought tolerance give rise to a careless attitude to vine care among inexperienced lovers.

Common errors and misconceptions associated with watering include the following:

• watering in the rainy season, when the plant is provided with natural moisture;
• watering during the blooming of flowers can lead to shedding and loss of the entire crop;
• the use of a hose with a sprinkler for surface irrigation does not allow water to reach the root system and does not benefit;
• the use of low temperature water (from deep wells and reservoirs) inhibits the growth of the bush and can cause diseases of the vine;
• unnecessarily frequent and abundant watering has a more destructive effect on the grapes than a prolonged drought, and also contributes to the defeat of the roots with rot and fungal diseases;
• frequent irrigation with small volumes of water.

Proper watering of the grapes in compliance with all the recommendations of experienced winegrowers provides a rich harvest and allows you to enjoy the wonderful taste of the solar berries and its processed products - grape juice and wine.

You will learn more about how to water the grapes in the following video.