How to choose the right grape variety and plant it

How to choose a variety

Planting and caring for crops in open ground dictate their own rules. For growing crops in garden plots, especially in the Trans-Urals, it's best to choose cold-hardy and vigorous varieties. Another important factor in choosing a variety is its resistance to diseases and garden pests. And, of course, yield.

If you're planning to grow grapes in the Far East, where summers are short, it's best to choose early-ripening varieties. The most popular varieties for growing in Russian gardens are Arcadia, Druzhba, Vostorg, and Impulse.

Selecting soil and location

The rules for planting grapes are simple: if you plan to plant the cuttings near a fence or building, try to choose a south-facing location to ensure the growing bush receives sufficient sunlight. Furthermore, the building's wall will accumulate heat during the day and release it to the plant at night. Growing grapes in open areas is also possible, but even here, it's best to choose south-facing slopes and avoid low-lying areas where frost is more likely.

Beginning gardeners often ask: can this crop be planted next to large trees? We answer: the vine does not really like such a neighborhood; it is better to plant it so that the distance to the nearest tree is about 5 m.

Grapevines can be planted in the fall or spring – the choice of time depends on the variety, region, and stage of development of the seedling. Cuttings are planted exclusively in the spring, as are immature plants, but well-developed bushes with woody vines are quite capable of surviving a harsh winter without loss.

Before planting grapes, you need to properly prepare the soil for the crop. The soil is prepared approximately one calendar month before the intended planting date. To do this, thoroughly clear the selected area of ​​weeds, add organic fertilizer and wood ash, and harrow the soil thoroughly. Now we form high (about 30 cm) and wide (up to 1 m) beds and install trellises.

When there are no more than two weeks left before spring grape planting, you can dig the planting holes: deep (up to 50 cm) holes with a diameter of 50 cm. Place a layer of drainage material at the bottom, add two buckets of compost, and optionally add wood ash and superphosphate. Cover everything lightly with a thin layer of fertile soil and leave for another 14 days.

When is the best time to plant?

As already mentioned, each gardener determines the timing of planting grapes independently: it is correct to plant grapes both in spring and in autumn. Planting grapes in the spring from seedlings is advisable if the seedlings are already a year old and the shoots have developed some woodiness. In this case, try to plant between late March and the end of April, otherwise the grapes may not take root in the garden.

If planting garden grapes in the fall, it's important that the seedlings are well-developed, with mature vines and strong roots. However, when planting grapes this way, they will still need additional protective cover.

Technology and basic rules

So, the long-awaited and crucial moment has arrived: planting the grapes. The planting hole for the future vine of the chosen grape variety has been prepared, and the roots of the seedlings have been thoroughly soaked in a clay slurry. The plants are planted, carefully straightening the root shoots, trying to position them in the hole so that the buds face north, but the root heel faces south. Proper planting requires planting the seedling approximately 40 cm deep—this will reliably protect the roots from increases or decreases in soil temperature.

Some gardeners believe that the soil for newly planted grapes shouldn't be overly wet, as this can damage the root system. However, avoid letting the soil dry out excessively; growing grape seedlings in soil without moisture is impossible. Another common question: how and when to water the plant? It's best to do this when you notice wilting leaves on the vines. Water should be added to the drainage hole, preferably in the late evening.

Features of spring planting

However, grapes are most often planted in the spring—planting and caring for the plant is easier then, and it's immediately clear whether the seedling has taken root. Before planting, inspect the vines; they should definitely have awakened buds. The standard spring planting pattern for grapes is 50x50 cm.

We recommend placing a protective layer of mulch around the planting site, and trimming the seedling to no more than two buds. Once planting is complete and the grapevine has established itself, the next step is caring for the grapevine: remember to monitor and water the plant regularly if necessary, remove weeds, and loosen the soil.

Features of autumn planting

Fall planting is largely similar to spring planting, with the exception of timing and slightly different care. This should be done before the first frosts on the soil surface can damage the plant. Planting occurs in September or early October, maintaining standard spacing between seedlings. However, it's important to carefully cover the vines for the coming winter. This can be achieved using a special covering material or by mulching the planting area with sawdust.

We would like to emphasize that only cold-resistant varieties are suitable for winter planting; they will certainly survive the winter and will be able to begin active growth with the arrival of the first warm days.

Planting by cuttings

There are various methods for planting grapes, but one of the most popular is using cuttings. These retain all the qualities of the parent plant, with excellent rooting properties. The cuttings should be collected in the fall, wrapped in plastic, and stored until spring.

As you can see, planting a grape vine isn't as difficult as it might seem. The key is choosing the right location to ensure the vines are comfortable, warm, and well-lit.

Advice: Avoid planting different grape varieties close together, as they can sometimes cross-pollinate, resulting in each of your lovingly grown grapes losing its qualities.

You'll only truly appreciate your efforts when it's time to harvest or bask in the pleasant shade of a spreading bush. Believe me, the experience is worth the effort!

Video: "Proper Planting of Grapes"

This video will teach you how to plant grapes correctly.