Grapes in the Urals

The Urals are known for their rather harsh climate compared to the south and the Volga regions. Many plants simply do not take root here. But even in such a climate, breeders were able to learn how to grow grapes, a sun-loving plant accustomed to warmth and good weather conditions. The ripening period is quite long. All these facts have not become a hindrance for the adventurous grape lovers. Surprisingly, the grapes in the Urals took root well in these difficult conditions. In this article we will look at how the inhabitants of the Urals can get a glorious harvest from their vineyard.

Grapes in the Urals: the first steps

grapes in the Urals

You have decided to plant a vineyard in your garden. What is the first step to doing this? Of course, choose a variety. Any one that comes across cannot be grown, it is necessary to choose grapes that are capable of rapid ripening.

Be sure to take this step seriously and do not listen to the advice of acquaintances. Rely only on your own experience and the experience of professionals in this business. In the Ural weather conditions, this is a clear plus. Buy a variety from people that have been verified by any gardener or agricultural plant nursery.

Experts will help you and tell you about quality varieties. In the city of Uralsk, for example, there is a peasant farm, a nursery for plants. Scientists develop new varieties every season.

The new grape differs from another in an improved ripening period, frost resistance, and most importantly, in harvest. According to these characteristics, the varieties that have proven themselves among summer residents stand out most clearly: Triumph, Crystal, Antario, Cardinal and others.

They differ markedly from each other in their taste. But for a long time, the inhabitants of the Urals have chosen them for their gardens. The main first step is to choose a frost-resistant variety.

Planting grapes in the Urals

grapes in the Urals

At the moment, there are many tricks for growing grapes in cold weather. Russian scientists have created a special film that can keep the plant from low temperatures. Covering grapes in it, you can grow any variety.

Unable to purchase a special film, there is an option to use glass bottles to create a furnace effect. The bottles are lowered into the ground with their neck down and on fine days the glass is heated by the sun and the heat is transferred to the roots of the vineyard.

You can plant grapes in the Urals in the same way as in other regions. There are no special conditions for landing. Follow this step by step:

1. Decide where the landing site will be. Give preference to the south of your site.
2. Make holes. At least 45 cm wide, no more than 50 cm deep. If you decide to grow a row of vines, dig a trench and plant the grapes no closer than a meter to each other to give freedom to the root system.
3. To improve the soil, add crushed brick or gravel to the bottom of the holes. Sprinkle earth on top.
4. Watch the corner when planting a seedling. It is recommended to plant the plant at a slope, but not less than 45 degrees.
5. Fill in the hole and strengthen the seedling.
6. On top of the soil, you can lay out flat stones covered with black plastic. The black color attracts the sun's rays and heats the stones, which will help the seedlings hold out until autumn.
7. Water the seedling thoroughly.

Growing grapes in the Urals. The best varieties

Although grapes are thermophilic, there are a number of varieties that can withstand the harsh temperature conditions. They are divided into covering and non-covering.

First, let's get acquainted with the most demanding varieties in need of cover.

The best grape varieties for the Urals requiring additional cover

Crystal Grade has excellent immunity to viruses and pests. Average frost resistance, requires insulation. The yield is good and of high quality. Summer residents can harvest up to 10 kg of grapes per season from just one bush with careful care.

Crystal manages to ripen grapes in 110 days, which makes it possible to classify it as an early ripening variety.

Aleshkin grade. Grapes created by Russian breeders. Resistant to diseases that other grape varieties are exposed to. You can get from 8 kg of berries per season. Able to germinate in the soil of the central and southern regions of the Urals.

The bunches of the Aleshkin variety are quite powerful, have large branching. Such a bunch is capable of withstanding over one kilogram of berries. This can be seen towards the end of the season, when harvesting. The taste of the berries is not very different from others for raw consumption, but it is able to fully reveal itself in the creation of wine products.

Cardinal. Grapes do not tolerate frost, so it is better to grow it in greenhouses or hotbeds, carefully covering them. The variety is demanding to care for, but the effort is worth it. Cardinal's berries are delicious.

Antario / Pink nutmeg. Grape varieties specially created by breeders for cool regions with cold winters. They are early ripening, the fruits can be harvested after 3 months. The berries cannot grow large, but this will not spoil the excellent taste.

These hybrids are surprising in their ability to grow in conditions with temperatures down to -30 degrees. The presented varieties are the best solution for summer residents in the Urals. But the list doesn't end there. There are many more varieties that have excellent taste and yield in the northern regions.

Grapes in the Urals. Non-covering varieties

A rare summer resident from the Urals or Siberia dares to grow a vineyard on his farm. It is believed that this is a difficult and impossible occupation, on which you can spend a lot of energy and not get a result. Many people dream of their own winemaking, but do not want to spend time learning the rules of growing and hiding grapes.

The cost of fruit in the Urals is higher than in the central regions, due to the remoteness of the region. But the breeders found a way out of this situation as well. 10 years ago, they introduced the grape variety to the market that does not need to be covered.

At the moment, they are very young and are only gaining popularity, but a solid list of grape varieties that do not require covering have already been formed.

Amur grapes

This species is considered the basic ancestor of almost all frost-resistant species. Bred by breeders in the 50s of the 19th century from unbridled grapes found in the areas of Primorye and the Khabarovsk Territory. In real time it is one of the most famous species for breeding in the Southern Urals.

Amur grapes are not demanding in additional winter care or shelter. He lives serenely in conditions of cold, up to thirty-degree frosts. This is a big plus for the growth of grapes in the Urals. The only thing you have to worry about is the growing season of about 130 days.

The vine can grow up to 30 meters. It blooms in two types of inflorescences and this is its peculiarity. You can also grow a shrub with flowers of the same sex, but the yield will be frustrating in comparison with bisexual grapes.

But the berries grown only on the female inflorescence are easily comparable to raisins: the grapes are small, sweet and there are no seeds. It is impossible to compare the Amur variety with other selected grape varieties.

Vines of Amur grapes are often used for decorative purposes: to decorate fences, areas and landscaping structures. There is no need to cook grapes for winter.

It blooms in June and the harvest season begins in September.The crop crumbles quickly, so if you notice ripe berries, pick them up immediately. Usually Amur grapes are grown for winemaking purposes.

But the berries can also be consumed in their raw form. Their taste is sweet and sour. It is often used for culinary purposes: for making desserts, preserves and marmalades.

Care Tips: Moisten the soil thoroughly and remember to fertilize with peat. Plant grapes in spring to use green cuttings for planting.

American hybrids

This is the second largest group of grape varieties. If you are planning to start growing a grape plantation in your country house, this list is for you.

There are other hybrids, but they are inferior to American varieties in taste and are suitable mainly for making wine, rather than eating raw because of their acidity in taste. There are many varieties of varieties, but we will consider only the best of them:

Valiant and Seneca. Both of these hybrids have excellent frost resistance and are ready to live in temperatures down to -47 degrees. These varieties develop for a long time and this can be attributed to their few shortcomings.

The taste of grapes has a special strawberry flavor, which gives them an advantage when used for culinary purposes and homemade preparations. Eating raw won't disappoint you either. The harvest ripens by September.

Venus... Among the advantages of this variety is the early ripening of the crop, seedless grapes. Of the minuses - small berries. But despite the size of the grapes, the vine itself is strong enough to survive the winter. Often used for decorative purposes.

It is also convenient for making wine with a strawberry flavor, preparing dried fruits and drinking it in its pure form.

Lucille... The variety clearly stands out from the rest with its nutmeg aftertaste. Able to live in frost conditions down to -30 degrees. Hybrids of European-American varieties. This name was given to the grape variety thanks to the joint development of breeders from two continents.

There are about 20,000 species of European-American hybrids. By creating the perfect grape, breeders have managed to achieve unprecedented characteristics. Grapes of European-American varieties are not afraid of diseases, pests and fungi. It endures wind and frosty weather.

Grape cuttings are absorbed quickly enough. Such varieties ripen earlier than usual, and the vine develops strongly and quickly. The yield is high. The only point that the breeders have not been able to achieve is the low quality of the berries and their inferior flavor characteristics.

Amur hybrids

These varieties are especially popular in Russia. Thanks to the development of domestic scientists, a strong cultivar was born from a small wild bush.

The scientist Chuguev tries to plant grapes every year in order to develop new varieties of Amur hybrids. Interesting to note white grapes "Golden Potapenko"... Its shape is unusual, the taste is pleasant, not sour.

The variety, unlike others, is well adapted to the harsh conditions of the Urals. And during winter with a warm temperature regime, it may not develop completely and even die. This gave reason to call this hybrid the number one variety for growth in the north of Russia.

Don't miss Sharov's variety. It is most suitable for the Altai regions. The breeder has achieved what other scientists could not. Based on Michurin's research, he planted the Amur variety with other varieties and this gave its own result.

For 40 years of work, he has presented us with about 20 non-covering varieties that can withstand frost and at the same time have a rich harvest and excellent taste characteristics.

Features of the soil in the Urals

The peculiarity of the Ural soil was noted by many summer residents. It is thanks to the earth and cold weather that grapes grown in the Urals have a strong immunity to viruses and diseases. Especially at this point, the hybrids of the Amur varieties are distinguished.

Russian scientists have bred these resistant, non-covering varieties and can rightfully call them safe for the environment, since they do not need chemical treatment during the growth process.

How to select grapes in the Urals

Each summer resident has the opportunity not only to grow grapes on his site, but also to try himself as a breeder. Naturally, you will not be on a par with professional scientists, but it is quite possible to try to breed a high-yielding variety for yourself and your farm.

The only thing you need to learn well is the grafting technique. For this procedure, you will need a couple of grape varieties. Save them in the fall or buy them ready-made in the store.

Soak in water for a couple of days (at least 48 hours). Choose the method of vaccination that is most convenient for you. To do this, use the root of the grape or its bottom, located close to the soil.

Further, everything is as when planting: do not vaccinate in bad weather conditions. Fasten the cutting firmly. Don't forget the correct landing angle. After all, be sure to insulate the plant.

That's all, you just have to wait for the result of your breeding work. And maybe this grape will become special for you and your garden. Thus, we note that it is possible to grow grapes in the Urals.

Breeders have already developed many varieties suitable for development in this region. This type of gardening is already gaining great popularity. This is not an easy task, but the result is worth it. If you want to repeat the success of many summer residents of the Urals, we wish you good luck and a delicious harvest!