Grapes in the Leningrad region

For quite a long time grapes have been grown not only in the south, but also in a less warm climate, as they say, there would be a desire. In the Leningrad Region, the choice of grape variety is limited by the timing of its ripening. But on the other hand, this has its own advantages - for a rather short growing season, the plant is extremely affected by various diseases, the fight against which takes a lot of energy. This means that there is an opportunity to grow grapes in the Leningrad region practically without the use of chemicals. Let's talk in more detail about what features exist when growing grapes in the Leningrad Region and which varieties should be chosen in order to get a good harvest.

Grapes in the Leningrad Region. The subtleties of growing

grapes in the Leningrad region

In the Leningrad Region, in a short summer, gardeners grow grapes both in greenhouse conditions and in the open field, and in both cases successfully.

The land in this area has an increased level of acidity. Therefore, in order for the grapes to be comfortable, alkaline fertilizers must be applied annually (of your choice: ash, lime, dolomite).

As in any other area, the plant begins to bear fruit no earlier than three years after planting. The berries will be sweeter if the vine is located in a sunny place (this is the first plus in favor of open ground instead of a greenhouse). For the winter, the plant must be covered.

Due to the peculiarities of the climate, not only frosts, but also thaws, as well as probable rains in January, pose a danger here. In the spring, the shelter must be removed as soon as the snow melts.

When choosing a covering material, it is better to refuse to use polyethylene. Since unplanned weather changes and a delay in removing the shelter in this case can lead to the death of the grapes.

Use geotextiles and natural materials instead - earth, spruce or pine branches, straw, dry foliage.

So, in the spring, after removing the shelter, carry out preventive treatment for diseases. And at night, continue to cover the grapes with spunbond until the threat of frost is over. If the branches are still slightly frozen, then you can spray them with "Zircon" - this will contribute to recovery.

Grape varieties for the Leningrad region

If you are planning to plant grapes, then listen to the opinion of experienced gardeners who have tested many varieties and can recommend you exactly those that allow you to get a harvest in the Leningrad region.

These must be necessarily early ripening varieties, preferably frost-resistant and disease-resistant. But if these two points can be solved with the help of shelter for the winter and protective preparations, then you cannot influence the timing of ripening, so this is the main criterion.

"Zilga"... The variety was bred in Latvia. It is self-pollinated and very frost-resistant - it is not afraid of thirty-degree frosts. The bunches retain their presentation for a long time, the berries are of a stunning dark blue color. More than 10 kilograms can be harvested from one bush.

Express Early... This variety is even stronger, its frost resistance can withstand -32 degrees. The crop can be harvested in the second half of July. And even not very good weather does not affect its quality. Berries of this variety are often used to make wine - it turns out to be extremely tasty.

"Sulag"... A simple variety with no outstanding differences. Medium hardiness, amber berries. The advantage of the variety is that the plant rarely becomes infected with rot and powdery mildew, which usually represent the main problem for gardeners.

"Vandal Cliche"... This is a Canadian wine variety that has taken root wonderfully in the Leningrad Region. The berries smell like apples and pears at the same time. There is no need to wait until full maturation to prepare wine. The variety is early maturing and has a very high immunity.

Early Violet... Not so early considering the short summer. The ripening period is just over four months. You can use it as you like - make wine, juice or eat berries.

"Veres"... Ukrainian variety. It is wonderful because the berries are seedless, ripen in three months. The bunches are quite large, and in the taste of the berries you can catch a hint of nutmeg.

Solaris... German wine variety. The berries are white and quite sweet - this always attracts a large number of wasps. But it belongs to the early maturing varieties and is resistant to the main grape sores - mildew and oidium.

"Black Pearl"... Frost and disease resistance is average. Dark berries with a rich flavor and a distinct nutmeg aroma.

Of course, this is not all, other varieties are also suitable for growing in the Leningrad Region in open ground: "Khasansky Sladky", "Galant", "Regent", "1st Michurinsky", "Danko", "Muscat Blau", "P34 "," P33 "and others.

If we talk about growing in a greenhouse, then, for example, the variety “Laura», Which matures in 4 months and has an average frost resistance. Or the "Kishmish Radiant" variety, which comes from Moldova and matures in 4.5 months. But this variety is susceptible to disease, so you have to carefully take care of its health.

Growing grapes in the Leningrad region. Pros and cons of growing in a greenhouse

Any experienced grower will tell you that the harvest will ripen faster in a greenhouse. But he will also confirm to you that when growing grapes in a greenhouse, you will spend most of your time solving problems: the destruction of harmful insects and the treatment of grapes from regularly occurring diseases.

In the greenhouse, the grapes will be larger and will ripen by mid-summer. Whereas street grapes will delight you with smaller berries only in August-September. But an early harvest will probably remain the only plus in favor of a greenhouse.

But the disadvantages include the fact that there is less snow (just as much as you throw, there are no other sources), which means there is a possibility of deeper freezing of the ground.

In spring, the temperature in the greenhouse will rise earlier than outside, the grapes will wake up, and then they may suffer from a drop in temperature.

It is very important to regularly and abundantly water the plants (whereas outside it can rain for you). And the main thing is disease, which means the regular use of chemicals and, as a result, no ecological cleanliness of the crop.

That is why many gardeners are abandoning the greenhouse in favor of open ground.

When and how to plant grapes in the Leningrad region

When planting grapes, the place should be prepared in advance and make sure that each plant has at least a square meter of area. Make the hole 50-60 cm deep and fill the bottom with a drainage layer (gravel, expanded clay or broken brick).

If the soil has a high clay content, then add sand to the pit, as well as ash, organic and complex mineral fertilizers. Mix all this with the soil, which is supposed to fill the hole.

Planting should be carried out in the spring, as soon as the soil warms up well (but still pre-spill the hole with warm water). Over the summer, the seedling will get stronger and, with the appropriate shelter, will overwinter well.

In the summertime, plants with closed roots can be planted. With proper care, they will also take root perfectly.If you decide to choose grape seedlings for planting in the fall, then for the winter the plant will need not only to be covered, but also to be hilled beforehand.

Plant care

Half of caring for a plant is regular watering if there is not enough rainfall. This is the introduction of fertilizers (minerals, ash and dolomite, humus), as well as preventive treatments for diseases and pests.

And the second half of leaving is pruning, which allows you to form a bush and ensure good fruiting. Pruning should be done annually (and sometimes even twice a year, if necessary) after harvest.

At this time, most of the plant is cut off, in particular all the shoots from which the crop is harvested. In the Leningrad Region, most winegrowers prefer fan-cut pruning with four sleeves.

After the pruning is finished, the remaining aboveground part is very small, so it will not be difficult to cover it for the winter.

Reproduction

It is customary to propagate grapes in two ways - by layering and cuttings.

In the first case, you need to choose a healthy strong branch, remove all the foliage and stepchildren from it, and then bend it to the ground and cover it with soil in the middle (the top of the head should not be buried). Next spring, a new bush will begin to grow in this place, which will retain all the varietal characteristics of the mother plant.

The first three years are engaged in its formation, and then it will be possible to separate it from the first plant.

When propagating by cuttings, it is necessary to prepare them in the fall and put them in water. When the roots appear, the cuttings are planted in pre-prepared pots, where they will stay until spring. Then you can transplant them into the ground.

Possible problems

When we talk about problems, we certainly mean invasions of harmful insects and unexpected and unpleasant development of diseases. Most of the varieties common in the Leningrad Region are quite disease-resistant, but this does not mean that even the most resistant variety cannot infect the disease.

Therefore, in no case should you neglect preventive treatments. This is especially true for those who plan to grow grapes in a greenhouse. In this case, it is definitely impossible to skip processing.

In addition to diseases during the entire summer season, it is necessary to protect plants from parasites - spider mites, grape leaf rollers and grape itch. Against them, fungicidal preparations should also be used and the plants should be regularly inspected.

There are no obstacles to growing grapes in the Leningrad region, because gardeners manage to get harvests in a harsher and more unpredictable climate. The main thing is to choose the right varieties and competently care for the plants, providing them with all the necessary conditions for growth.