Harold grapes: variety description and cultivation features

Today, such an early and very tasty grape as Harold can boast of its leadership. Earlier, in the northern regions, such a culture was not grown at all due to the cold climate. Today, thanks to the strengthened efforts of breeders, this variety is not only not afraid of big frosts, but is also very hardy, with a good yield of hybrid.

Harold grapes are grown for personal use and for commerce. From it turns out a great wine with a pronounced muscat flavor.

Having worked, the breeders created an amazing, early fruit variety of the hybrid, known to many growers as “Harold”. He was bred by crossing two distinct varieties of Arcadia, as well as Delight. Characteristic varieties can fit in two words - super early and frost-resistant. The growing season of this table variety is about 100 days. At the end of July, with the right care, you can please yourself with the first tasty fruits. How grape is tasty, so it looks like - a detailed description of the variety:

• bright brown vine is flexible and powerful;
• grape leaves stand out for their rich color of green color and heart-shaped form, and also have a very large size;
• flowers self-pollinated;
• large oval berries are very fleshy, differ in light green color and have a pleasant taste with bright notes of strawberry and nutmeg;
• cylindrical brush, pointed to the bottom, very dense, and their weight can reach 500 grams.

This variety can be attributed to the most popular and widespread grapes that grow well in the harshest regions of Russia. Such vineyards are popular in the Moscow region, where they are grown as amateur gardeners and professionals.

Another feature of the Harold grape is its high content of beneficial vitamin C. Therefore, this variety is simply indispensable in maintaining immunity. Characteristic of this amazing hybrid and perfectly harmonious taste. Indicators of sugar and acidity are just perfect (sugar - 20%, acids - about 5 g / cubic dm).

The benefits of Harold grapes are not exaggerated. Its composition is rich in many nutrients and active substances, which, in turn, are simply necessary for human health. This variety can be used for the prevention of many diseases:

• it is beneficial for the cardiovascular system;
• prevents thrombosis;
• helps with migraines;
• removes cholesterol;
• improves kidney function;
• lowers pressure;
• used to treat asthma;
• inhibits and prevents the appearance of malignant cells;
• relieves constipation;
• saves with a breakdown.

Variety "Harold" fell in love with many growers. It is a pleasure to grow it, since the hybrid has almost no flaws, but is endowed with the best of all the other representatives.

This hybrid can be considered the first of many varieties, and a number of its advantages will favorably emphasize its superiority:

• quick fruit ripening;
• high frost resistance;
• does not crack, berries do not turn into peas;
• perfectly transports transportation;
• excellent immunity to many diseases (powdery mildew and gray mold);
• has high yields (one bush can give about 14-15 kg);
• possesses excellent refined taste, fragrant aroma and attractive appearance.

Also, the Harold variety is excellent in tolerating low soil moisture or aridity. Many reviews of winegrowers indicate that with proper and thorough care, you can collect a double harvest of fruits. Typically, this process is carried out in the last days of August.

The second harvest can not boast of large clusters. They are usually much smaller than brushes collected during the main harvest.

Like all hybrids, the Harold variety has its drawbacks, which are not so significant and do not prevent the grapes from taking the place of honor as a leader. Its weaknesses include the following features:

1. the vine is prone to overloading the fruit, so you need to monitor and control the required number of flowers (20 pieces), as well as shoots;
2. spring frosts are dangerous to grapes: in order not to cause the plant to freeze, the vine must be harbored (it’s great to treat film material);
3. Birds are the main pests. It is recommended to enclose bushes with a special net to avoid damage and harm.

Unpretentiousness of a plant is expressed in its ability to grow well in any soil. Its planting is carried out according to the classical scheme, which every gardener or grower who has decided to start growing this hybrid should know:

• Spring is the perfect time for planting Harold;
• landing pits are harvested, usually in autumn;
• pit size must be at least 80 cm in diameter;
• drainage and fertilizer are necessary for arranging the pit;
• under the root of the seedling itself, a slight elevation is made from the fertile upper layer;

• it is necessary to install a peg for tying up the vine after its growth;
• the seedling is chosen with a characteristic strong root, it must subsequently be cut just before planting (this way they get rid of weak and undeveloped shoots);
• grapes tend to grow strongly, so young plants are located at a distance of 2.5 meters;
• having filled the seedling with earth, it is recommended to leave a small depression around the plant - this will facilitate the process of watering and mulching;
• after planting requires abundant watering.

Having received the first fruits, you can not rush to pick clusters. Berries have an amazing ability - after ripening, they can hang on a bush until September and not deteriorate.

The grade "Harold" does not need any special care. However, due attention is still required, no plant can do without it. For this grape will be sufficient to carry out some mandatory and simple care activities. Accordingly, the hybrid will delight every year with a decent harvest of its gardener.

• Watering, usually standard. It is advisable to start in April and finish in November. Humidification of the plant for the first time occurs during a period when the shrubs of grapes open after a long winter. The maximum amount of water the hybrid requires during the period of bud swelling and flowering. Abundant watering continues throughout the growing season. The irrigation of the soil before the shelter of the vine for the winter is completed.
• For better fruiting and growth is necessary mulching. Functional mulch can come from straw, peat, humus, or dry plant leaves.
• Shelter process carried out very carefully so as not to damage the hybrid. For this purpose, a special material or plastic film is used.

• Pruning should be regular and timely, only so the grapes will give a great harvest. Need to pluck extra flowers, shorten shoots to about 25-30 eyes.
• For adult plants is necessary and annual feeding. After flowering hybrid do not forget to make different fertilizers: potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonium nitrate. From organic chooses manure or compost.
• For the excellent development of the plant it is necessary to carry it out regularly. prevention and protection.

The main feature of this variety is its double harvest.That is why decent care and attention are simply obligatory. Only in this case the main shoots and young stepchildren will bear fruit.

Despite the fact that the hybrid "Harold" is a frost-resistant variety, it still needs to be insulated for the winter (shelter). This is especially necessary for those vineyards that grow in the northern strip, where frosts can exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

The most preferred material that can be used to protect the grapes from the cold is polyethylene. It perfectly retains heat and at the same time saves the plant from snow, strong wind, low temperature. Preparation of plants for wintering is carried out according to a special scheme.

• Initially, the associated bushes are not laid on bare ground, but on a kind of litter, and are well fixed. This is necessary in order to prevent rotting.
• Then set a certain arc of metal.
• At the end of the installation process arcs, stretched and well attached plastic film. It can only be used in one layer. That will be quite enough.

Harold grapes have excellent resistance to the two most common plagues - gray mold and powdery mildew. However, before the beginning of flowering, the hybrid must be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or a solution containing fluorine, a fungicide.

The most dangerous disease for "Harold" is the leaf-maker. It affects everything: leaves, flowers, young shoots and ovaries, as well as the fruits of the vine. To get rid of this misfortune, the hybrid is sprayed before the buds appear and after their blooming. To rid the plant of this disease, you will need three spraying:

1. from April to May you need to do the first spraying;
2. the second processing is performed at the very beginning of flowering;
3. sprinkle the third time in early July.

Insecticides are the most effective tool in combating a disease such as a leaf maker. Ventilation will also serve as a good preventive tool in the fight against this terrible disease. Insects such as mites or wasps do not pose a danger to the hybrid. These pests are simply not interested in this variety. An unpretentious early grape variety “Harold” is an excellent option for planting in the southern and middle regions of Russia.

Also, this high-yielding, frost-resistant hybrid for the northern regions will also be an excellent addition. Its appearance is so attractive, and the taste is unique, that this variety has become the favorite of many winegrowers and gardeners.

Review of Harold grapes in the next video.