Planting and caring for grapes in the Moscow region

The best varieties

Growing grapes outdoors in the Moscow region during the summer is a painstaking task, but the results are expected to be rewarding. Knowing how to properly cover grapes for the winter in the Moscow region, when to plant cuttings, and which grape varieties are best for greenhouse use will help you prepare for the winter and successfully grow your vines even in harsh winters.

To ensure successful grape planting in the Moscow region (especially for open-grown varieties), determine in advance which varieties are best suited for the region. If you're primarily looking for winter-hardy grape varieties, consider Kay Gray, Alpha, Valiant, and Agat Donskoy. The latter variety not only maintains its properties in low temperatures, but also keeps the picked bunches fresh for quite a long time. The best grape varieties for the Moscow region include:

• Isabella. This vigorous sapling produces dark blue berries that are quite large. The average bunch weighs about 140 g;
• Denisovsky. This variety is primarily grown for wine production. Ripe berries acquire a rich, dark blue hue; they are not particularly large, but the bushes grow quite vigorously with proper care;
• Rusven. This vine produces pink-hued, fairly large berries. The fruit has a slight matte finish;
• Kishmish. A single bunch weighs approximately 300–500 g. This variety is early, but the ripe berries retain their flavor for a very long time. Interestingly, this variety is primarily preferred in the Moscow region. This variety is characterized by good resistance to low temperatures (withstands temperatures down to -26°C). Moreover, the berries are seedless.

Knowing how to properly plant grapes in the Moscow region, which cultivation techniques to use, and choosing the best uncovered grape varieties for the region will help you achieve high yields and ensure proper care for your cuttings.

Difficulties of growing

Caring for grapes in the Moscow region is a challenging process for a novice. This crop was once grown exclusively in the southern regions with mild, warm climates. Gradually, breeders developed the best frost-resistant grape vines.

Nowadays, the prospect of growing grapes in the Moscow region or the northern regions of the country no longer seems so impossible. While this plant was initially used to create arches or beautifully decorate arbors, it's now possible to grow grapes for consumption in the Moscow region (and not only in a greenhouse) if you purchase early-bred varieties and cover them for the winter.

Landing rules

Grapes in the Moscow region will yield a bountiful harvest if you follow all the necessary recommendations for planting in loam and other substrates. First and foremost, pay attention to the planting site—it should be protected from winds. However, seedlings require plenty of sunlight, so shading the vines is definitely not advisable. Another important factor for successful cultivation and shading is soil type.

In general, the plant tolerates various types of soil (for example, loamy soils), but gardeners should still follow some recommendations. For example, ensure that the soil, not clay, in the chosen area is deep enough. This is necessary to ensure the root system has room to develop. The soil should also have a drainage layer.

Remember that chalky soil is not the best place for planting.

Care

Knowing how to grow grapes in your garden will help you reap a bountiful harvest of ripe, nutritious fruit. But in addition to the basic planting rules, which are essential to master, you'll also need to follow care recommendations. Growing grapes in the Moscow region from seedlings is generally not too difficult, as they aren't particularly fussy. However, proper viticulture should include the following essential steps:

• Pruning. To know how to grow grapes successfully, remember that in the first few years after planting, the vines produce fruit quite heavily. As a result, the vines can become overloaded. That's why pruning is essential. This procedure is performed in spring and fall.
• Watering. To properly moisten the substrate, make small furrows around the shrubs and pour water directly into them. It's not recommended to water the plant roots themselves, as they react sensitively to sudden changes in humidity. Particular attention to watering is recommended during the active growing season.
• Fertilizing. Knowing how to plant Moscow grapes isn't enough to ensure their full development. To ensure the plant produces abundant, nutritious berries, be sure to fertilize it annually in the fall. Mineral nutrient solutions should include potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen fertilizers. It's recommended to feed the bushes with organic matter about every three years.
• Spraying. How to care for grapes in the Moscow region? The plant is susceptible to diseases, especially fungal ones. Timely treatment of the seedlings with fungicides will help prevent them.

Pruning grapes in the fall, watering, shaping the vines, and feeding the plant with mineral compounds—all these care recommendations must be strictly followed if you want to achieve high yields from your bushes.

Ripening and harvesting

Frost-hardy industrial grape varieties typically ripen in August or early September. Bunches of ripe berries can easily remain on the vine for up to a month after final ripening, without affecting their flavor. However, experts recommend harvesting the grapes on time, otherwise some fruits may still become overripe and even begin to rot, attracting pests.

Preparing for winter

Covering grapes for the winter in the Moscow region is an important step before winter. If you grow uncovered grape varieties in the Moscow region, such measures are not necessary. In all other cases, covering grapes for the winter in the Moscow region is absolutely essential.

How to cover grapes for the winter? Prepare grapes for winter as follows: bend the vines toward the ground and place them on special supports to prevent them from touching the ground. Place a layer of sawdust, straw, or dry leaves on top. Finally, apply a special covering material.

Planting and caring for home-grown grapes in the Moscow region can be quite successful, even in regions with harsh winters. The key is to know how to plant grapes correctly, follow the advice of experts (such as winegrower Mikhail Sergeyevich Shchemerov), and choose either non-covered varieties or purchase other planting varieties in advance. High-quality non-covered grape varieties for the Moscow region are available for purchase on Mikhail Sergeyevich Parnikov's forum.

Video: Caring for a Young Grape Bush

This video will teach you how to properly care for a young vineyard.