Choosing the best frost-resistant grapes

Traditionally, grapes grow in warm and sunny southern regions. These include Georgia, Italy, France or Kuban.Due to their taste these berries are very popular. In addition, grapes - the main material for making wine. Therefore, more and more often its juicy fruits are being grown in more northern regions. Gardeners in central Russia select varieties that can withstand the frosty winter.

The climate in most parts of our country is not suitable for heat-loving berries. Its branches do not withstand the winter frosts and a long lack of heat. To solve this problem, cultivated cold-resistant grape varieties. The first experiments in this field were carried out by I.V. Michurin. Today, there are already several dozen of these varieties. They can survive the conditions of quite severe winters. Winter hardy rocks can withstand temperatures below 29 degrees. Such breeds differ in the way of wintering - there are covering and coveringless varieties.

Covering grapes tolerate winter temperatures of up to -27 degrees. To avoid defeat by severe frosts, with the onset of the cold period it is covered.

Uncovered grapes are even better adapted to the harsh winters, it can withstand frost at -30 degrees. The most frost-resistant species may not even freeze through at temperatures of minus 40-45 degrees. These varieties are suitable for planting, even in Siberia. In this case, the vine of this culture can be left for the winter without additional shelter. Uncovered grape varieties are designed for making juice and forcing wine thanks to its rich taste.

Varieties resistant to cold usually produce abundant fruit. This is the main subtlety of growing such varieties of grapes and the danger to an inexperienced gardener. In the period when the bunch is gaining its maturity, all the nutrients pick berries. In the event that there are too many brushes, the roots and the vine can be left without makeup. Preparedness plants for frost wintering is reduced. The quality of the berries becomes worse, and the grapes plant itself weakens and dies in the winter.

There are many varieties of grapes, among them there are universal, technical, table types. Some are better suited for processing, others can be eaten with pleasure. An important indicator of the quality of the variety is the high content of juice in the berries. If the sugar content is at least 20%, the fruit is saturated with vitamins and minerals.

For growing grapes in cold winters, the crop must withstand frost, preferably without shelter. Also, good varieties of this berry are quite resistant to attacks of pests and diseases. The disadvantage of this variety is the difficulty in care. No matter how winter-hardy variety may be, part of the shoots and the upper part of the root system freeze in winter and die. Therefore, in the spring grapes need to be cut and timely feed.

The berries in these varieties are small, the shape of the bunch does not grow a perfect cone. Usually they belong to technical breeds, so the crop is processed, these fruits are not consumed raw. Among them are table varieties, but they still lose in taste to their southern counterparts.

For central Russia (for example, for the Tver region) it is better to choose winter-hardy plants with maturation in the early term of about 85-125 days. These include the following cultures:

• "Aleshenkin";
• "Victoria";
• "Beauty of the North";
• "Crimean Pearl";
• "Moscow Sustainable";
• "Lydia";
• "Isabel";
• "Bianca".

For the Leningrad region and pick up the grapes will be more difficult, because the conditions there are more severe. There will be varieties that will yield no later than mid-August and will be able to survive a cool, slightly sunny summer. For this region, suitable varieties:

1. "Amur";
2. "Muscat";
3. "Zilga";
4. "Isabel".

In some southern territories, for example, in Kyrgyzstan, along with the elite varieties of grapes "Kishmish" and "Saperavi", frost-resistant species are also grown, as in some mountainous areas the temperature can drop to -30 degrees.

1. Among all these varieties, the uncovered Isabella and its hybrids can survive the winter. They can winter at temperatures up to -40 degrees. The berries are sweet enough, blue, with a black touch. Reviews of its yield are very good.
2. Grape "Crimean Pearl" - covering, tolerates cold up to - 24 degrees. The berries are white, large, with a rich aroma of nutmeg.
3. Variety "Marinovsky" is often grown in home gardens. It is quite undemanding, high-yielding. Covering it for the winter is not necessary. Description of the variety suggests that grapes are universal. It can be consumed raw and made wine products.
4. Grapes "Svetlana" - large: the weight of the bunch can reach 1 kg. Berries are green, cold-resistant to -25 degrees.

Among the varieties with high resistance to low temperature there are weaving species that can be used to weave a gazebo, hedge or garden arch.

Covering grapes for the winter is removed from the supports and placed under a layer of straw, burlap and polyethylene. Uncovered varieties are easier to maintain - they do not need to be cut in a special way, forming a vine for winter. For such grapes, prophylactic treatment against pests is sufficient; they have good resistance to diseases. Often, to improve the quality of the crop and additional plant protection, the vineyard is processed according to the following folk recipes:

• milk solution in the ratio of 1: 10;
• mullein infusion 10%.

Cultures that do not need to be sheltered for the winter can be left on supports after dropping the leaves. Plants after reaching the age of three can be left on the street, caring like a regular tree or shrub. Before wintering grape need to feed and water. To do this, under each bush vines pour 4 buckets of warm water with the addition of 500 grams of ash.

The most dangerous for cold-resistant grapes is a snowless winter. The root system may undergo freezing, and in the spring the bush will have to be saved. To avoid unpleasant consequences, the soil in the hole with the vine is loosened for sufficient oxygen to enter the soil. Vine must be removed from the support, rolled into rings and put on the ground. After that, they arrange a simulated greenhouse on top - cover it with a film and fix its edges. Vine must take root. With the arrival of spring, the grapes are watered before flowering, stop watering after the beginning of ripening berries.

Pruning grapes will help avoid overloading the plant. Dead whips clean in the spring. From the extra brushes and shoots get rid of during the growing season.

Tapestries under the vine dig into the ground. Seedlings should have a strong root system and live buds. Planting grapes is best in May. Sometimes they land in October before winter. In this case, the seedlings are placed under the banks and covered.

Frost-resistant grapes are quite resistant to disease, however, they sometimes infect plants.

• Powdery mildew leads to poor growth of grapes - the leaves become curly and covered with gray bloom, the berries deteriorate. The disease is treated with drugs "Tanos", "Tiovit Jet", "Topaz".
• Downy mildew (mildew) leaves oily yellow spots on the leaves.On the reverse side of the sheet appears a gray patina, the affected parts rot. Infected areas of the bush are removed, the rest is treated with fungicides (“Thanos”, “Mikal”, “Antracol”).
• Black spot appears as red markings on fruits, vines or leaves. Subsequently, the stains become discolored. With a wide lesion, it is impossible to save the vineyard; therefore, preventive spraying of the plant with antifungal fungicides (Thanos, Teovit Jet, Topaz) should be carried out.

Vines attack and insects. The owners of the vineyard periodically have to protect the fruit from the attacks of pests.

• Wasps. Sweet fruits attract winged insects that pierce the shell of the berries, pulling the juice. Damaged cluster quickly deteriorates. Therefore, in order to save the grapes from wasps, it is possible to destroy the wasp nests early in the spring or to set traps with insecticides. It is also recommended to smoke wasps or cover the vines with a breathable insect screen.
• Mite. On the grapes there are spider, leaf and felt insect species. From tick attacks, plants are treated with fungicides.

See the next video for more on cold-resistant grapes.