Grapes fall care and preparation for winter. Shelter of grapes for the winter in the middle lane. How to prevent ripening of grapes

Everyone knows that grapes need to be properly prepared for the cold, but not everyone realizes that winter hardiness depends on the state of the bush. In this article: what factors affect freezing, how to increase winter hardiness and how to cover grapes so that they overwinter without damage.

In the previous article “Smart Vineyard: Basics of the Basics”, we talked about the fact that there are winter-hardy varieties, that is, those that do not even need to be covered for the winter, and those that do not tolerate frost and require reliable shelter. The eyes of winter-hardy grapes, on average, withstand temperatures of minus 12-15 degrees for a long time, and 20 degrees of frost for one to two weeks. Perennial wood of such varieties is able to withstand a decrease to minus 27 degrees. It should be noted that these indicators are typical for bushes in good condition, that is, with powerful roots and well-developed mature vines.

Practice shows that no matter what the winter hardiness of the variety is, if the grape bush is overloaded, sick or suffers from a lack of moisture, sunlight and heat, then even well-covered, it will freeze and lose young vines, and hence the harvest of next year . In this case, the main rule should be understood - the winter hardiness of grapes is always determined by the state of the bush. Let's see what needs to be done to increase the resistance of grape bushes to frost.

Why does the bush freeze

Almost the entire actively growing part of the root system (thin roots and root hairs) dies off in winter and gives up its substances to thicker roots. Only the part that has managed to stiffen remains alive, that is, the roots are not thinner than 1-1.5 mm. In the spring, they will sprout again with thin layering, and the development of the root system will continue.

For the normal development of the roots, it is extremely necessary to have a sufficient amount of nutrients that are given to the aerial part of the grapes during the deterioration of conditions to overcome stressful situations (dry wind, sudden temperature fluctuations, severe frost). If the bush was overloaded, sick or lacked warmth in summer, the roots will not receive nutrients, which means that in winter they will not be able to help the grapes survive the frost. Experienced growers believe that to protect the roots it is necessary to mulch the soil in the vineyard. Organic mulch will be useful for all varieties, as it can protect the earth from rapid freezing.

The most lively and tender parts of the bush are the eyes, they live, breathe and evaporate moisture constantly, except for the time of freezing. Three factors can threaten grape eyes. Firstly, these are sharp jumps in temperature from warm to frost, which usually occurs on clear nights and is accompanied by the appearance of frost. Practice shows that in this case, the endurance of the kidneys is significantly reduced. Secondly, frosty temperatures, accompanied by a dry wind, can greatly harm the eyes. Under such conditions, the vines are very dry, and freezing of the eyes is accelerated. The third dangerous factor for the kidneys is long-term icing of the vines. The eyes can withstand a day under a layer of ice without problems, but then there is a danger that they can suffocate.

Bushes of resistant varieties with mature wood and a developed root system will survive the winter without problems. However, it is not always possible to plant such a variety, and the fruits of such grapes are much inferior in taste. Therefore, experienced specialists have developed a number of rules to make the bushes already available in the vineyard as winter-hardy as possible.

How to increase winter hardiness

As we have already found out, healthy, well-developed grapes with strong roots survive the cold best. In order for the bush to develop well, it is necessary to follow certain care rules during the season, which will increase the resistance of the vine to cold weather:

  1. First of all, you need to pay special attention to that moment in order to provide the grapes with an optimal load. How to do it right, we told in the article "Smart vineyard: shaping on a trellis or gazebo". An overloaded bush does not develop well, since all the forces are spent on the ripening of the clusters. Such grapes do not allow the roots to stock up on the necessary amount of nutrients for wintering. An underloaded bush throws out powerful fat vines, but they will not be distinguished by good frost resistance, as practice shows that vines of medium strength are most resistant to cold, which received maximum sunlight during the summer. Therefore, it is necessary to load the bush so that there are as many of them as possible.
  2. There is no doubt that grapes can ripen in the best way only in the sun, even with the slightest shading, the vine does not develop normally - the wood of such a bush will be watery and loose and will not be able to accumulate the necessary nutrients.
  3. To increase winter hardiness, it is recommended to ensure that the grapes do not get sick throughout the season. The most dangerous disease in this sense is mildew, which causes the death of leaves. And if the leaf dies, it provokes the growth of stepchildren from sleeping eyes. Such shoots, as a rule, do not ripen until autumn, and the vine may die already from the first frosts in November.
  4. Proper nutrition will help increase resistance to cold weather. As you know, potassium is the main anti-stress substance for grapes. Therefore, experts recommend adding wood ash under each bush during the season (on average, a bucket per season). But grapes overfed with nitrogen will be very pampered and will give fat and lop-sided shoots that are unlikely to resist severe frosts.
  5. Properly moistened soil under it will help improve the frost resistance of the bush. Dry earth cools and freezes very quickly, while wet earth has a high heat capacity and smooths out the negative effects of low temperatures for a long time. In addition, the eyes need moisture for normal breathing and development. However, it should be noted that it is necessary to start moistening the soil under the bushes in October-November, and in no case should grapes be poured in the middle of summer, as frequent watering at this time can provoke the growth of young shoots that do not have time to ripen before winter. Well, what is fraught with, we have already discussed.

So, from the foregoing, it is clear that in order for vine bushes to be able to better withstand frost, it is necessary to give them an optimal load, provide maximum sunlight, protect against diseases, and also properly feed and water.

How to cover grapes for the winter

The grapes growing on most household plots are either not covered at all, or carefully dug in the ground. There are simpler, but no less effective ways. Let's look at some of them.

For example, you can simply pull a bush off the gazebo, cut it off, pile it up and lightly throw it with earth. Various home-made hooks made of rebar or thick wire will help to press the grapes well to the ground. Experts believe that it is enough to cover a bush pressed in this way with a layer of earth of 3-5 cm. The main danger for grapes in winter is strong dry winds at low air temperatures, and if your bushes grow in a calm place, then you can not sprinkle them for the winter - just press it to the ground. Also, instead of the earth, in this case, you can use various improvised materials - corn stalks, straw, weeds. It should be noted that the wetter the soil to which the grapes are pressed, the less the risk of freezing.

Many believe that it is impossible to cover the grapes with a film - it will get worn out. It's a delusion. You just need to wrap it up not tight so that the air circulates freely. The film can cover both trellis bushes and bushes on the gazebo.

Grapes growing on trellises should be cut off, put on the ground, covered with a film on top, which should be pressed down with pieces of earth along the edges. Arbor bushes that need to be covered must be collected in a bundle and freely wrapped with pieces of polyethylene - left in this form right on the arbor.

Well-developed and mature high-stem bushes on trellises can not be lowered to the ground, but wrapped with a film right on the spot. The basic rule in this case is that the winding should not be tight and tight, so that on sunny winter days the grapes do not overheat and suffocate. Wrap with polyethylene freely, leaving small gaps for ventilation. Some experts use roofing material, tarpaulin, rubber, as well as specially made boxes from boards to shelter grapes.

When preparing grapes for winter, the question may arise: when should the bushes be cut? Experts recommend that those bushes that require shelter be cut in the fall, since it is quite difficult to work with uncircumcised ones. But those that you do not plan to wrap, it is better to prune in early spring before the start of sap flow, as practice shows that uncircumcised, uncovered grapes better withstand low temperatures.

When preparing grape bushes for winter, you need to understand the main thing - well-ripened healthy grapes will endure adverse winter conditions much easier. Therefore, the main task in this case is to create optimal conditions for the growth and development of the bush throughout the season. The right load, maximum heat and sun, protection from diseases, as well as optimal watering and nutrition will allow the grapes to retain more vitality and survive the winter more easily.

Related videos

Do I need to prune grapes for the winter and how to properly cover them? Different varieties of grapes endure the winters of central Russia differently, not to mention the more northern regions. The roots of European varieties are damaged when the soil temperature drops to -5...-7°C, buds - at -18...-20°C, young shoots - at -22°C, and old wood - at -20... .-25°С. European-Amur and European-American hybrids can withstand lower temperatures. The roots are damaged at -9...-12°C, and the buds can withstand short-term frosts of -23...-30°C.

There are varieties that are mainly used for vertical gardening of arbors, open terraces. For example, such as Alpha (popularly this variety is called Isabella), Taiga emerald and others, endure ordinary winters without significant damage and without shelter.

If grape varieties grown for berries, then they should be covered for the winter.

Preparing bushes for wintering begins with preliminary autumn pruning and removal of the vine from the support. Cut out all fruit arrows with shoots grown on them. On shoots grown on replacement knots, the unripened part (with green bark), as well as stepchildren and mustaches, are removed. After that, it is desirable to treat the bushes with a 3% Bordeaux mixture.

Shelter is started with the onset of stable frosts on a dry, clear day. The easiest way is to pour mulching materials under each bush with a layer of up to 20 cm (sawdust, peat, compost or humus). The bush is removed from the support, the vines are tied into a bundle, bent down and fixed with metal or wooden arcs near the soil surface. It is advisable to lay under the vine spruce branches, pieces of boards, dry sunflower stalks, corn or film. From above, the bushes are covered with various materials: synthetic winterizer, polyethylene foam, straw, spruce branches.

A film or roofing material spreads over the insulation in case of thaws and rain, so that moisture does not penetrate inside the shelter.

The ends under the roofing material or film are left open until a strong cold snap so that the vine breathes and condensation does not accumulate.

From mice you need to put poisonous baits.

What to do with young shoots?

Before covering, the unripened part of the shoots, stepchildren and antennae are removed, and in the spring they are pruned, creating sleeves, fruit links, fruit arrows, a replacement knot or a restoration knot, depending on the place where the shoots grow.

How to prepare grapes for winter is a question often of interest to gardeners. Having their own small piece of land, everyone wants to get the maximum yield of crops growing on it. So grapes are among the most common and very favorite delicacies of the whole family. But the plant is a little finicky and tender: the vine is afraid of frost and too dry days. In many sources you can find the secrets of caring for grapes. Only by following the recommendations, reading reviews and relying on your own experience, you can grow a rich harvest and enjoy the wonderful taste of grapes all year round.

How to prepare grapes for winter is a question often of interest to gardeners.

The benefits of a strong vine

Shoots of young grapes during the period of growth and fruiting must be nourished with useful substances as much as possible. After all, a healthy and strong vine is more likely to endure low temperatures in winter than a weak and fragile one. Gardeners determine the optimal thickness of the shoots - 12-14 cm with a core diameter 1.5 times smaller than the main trunk.

The lack of vitamins is observed during the flowering of grapes, the formation of the ovary and the ripening of berries. Among these three stages, the first occupies a particularly important place. After all, the formation of inflorescences takes almost all the forces from the plant. That is why it is so important to help the grapes. For this, there is a method of feeding, which nourishes the roots and sprays the leaves.

Often organics are used in a liquid composition. It can be both cattle and pig manure, and poultry droppings. After the winter, a lot of ash remains in houses with stove heating, which can be used as fertilizer for grapes. All of the above substances are diluted in water (1 kg of slurry per bucket of liquid) to avoid high concentrations. Then the grapes are fed during the flowering period. At the same time, the fruits are formed faster, they are larger and have better taste. It is recommended to fertilize the grape root system with nitrogen-phosphorus supplements.

The ratio of phosphorus and nitrogen is so well chosen that in early spring such food for this plant will be simply irreplaceable.

The frost resistance of grapes also increases with the systematic feeding of its root system with fertilizers containing potassium. A prominent representative is potassium magnesia. The peculiarity of watering it is that the fertilizer itself is not applied under the roots, but they dig in a bush and distribute the feed in small pits. The soil is leveled and regular watering is carried out. After two weeks, it is necessary to repeat the feeding procedure.

Foliar supply of nutrients is carried out with the same solutions, but only applied to the leaves. Then the grapes will calmly survive very dry periods. At the same time, its growth, the quality and quantity of the crop will be preserved, and the ability to overwinter in central Russia will increase.

Ways to prepare grapes for wintering

Vitamin-rich vines will be more able to withstand a drop in temperature. But gardeners offer not to take risks and still additionally wrap the roots and vine, after removing them from the trellis and cutting off the extra shoots. Preparing grapes for winter includes several techniques. These include hilling the root system and shoots, semi-covers and shelters.

The first method will well preserve grapes that are planted in the spring. He is only 1 year old, so it will be easy to cover the bush with a layer of earth and dry leaves. After all, the vine has not yet had time to grow to large sizes. It is easy to clean and cut. But at the same time, the root system, adhesion sites and the lower part of the vine will perfectly overwinter, but the buds will remain not completely protected from frost. Gardeners recommend in such cases to increase the layer of powdered material until all shoots are completely immersed.

Gardeners suggest not to take risks and still additionally wrap the roots and vine, after removing them from the trellis and cutting off the extra shoots

The second way to prepare grapes for wintering protects the crown, which is located at a height of 10-20 cm from the base. The rest of the vine is dressed in special materials 3-4 cm thick. It can be ordinary hay or straw, all types of agrofibre, old clothes are perfect. Such drapery will not only prevent frost from getting to the vine, but also protect it from drying out. This technique is perfect for varieties of combined groups. As soon as the sun begins to bake, it is necessary to free the vine from “clothes” in a timely manner in order to avoid the appearance of rot.

For grapes that have been growing and bearing fruit for several years, the method of complete shelter in the winter is perfect. Before starting the preparatory work to wrap the grapes for the winter, it is necessary to carry out its competent pruning. The prepared vine is not just removed from the arch along which it was woven, but is laid on the ground in even rows, one next to the other. From above it is covered with a layer of earth, waste from seeds, dry grass or foliage. Then they put any fabric, old rugs, jackets. The top of the structure is a film. But it must be monitored and removed in time, as soon as the air temperature begins to rise, in order to avoid diaper rash.

If the grape variety is not very afraid of frost, then a complete shelter can be built from an ordinary sheet of slate or roofing material. After removing them in the spring, it is worth carefully checking the condition of the vine to avoid frostbite.

Often, poisons for rodents are also placed under such “blankets” for grapes, so that they, having made their way to a warm place, do not feast on a young plant.

For grapes that have been growing and bearing fruit for several years, the method of complete shelter in winter is perfect.

Grapes are a storehouse of useful vitamins and minerals. It is enjoyed by both adults and children. Who doesn't love to feast on fragrant grapes, juice or rich wine? Especially when you do not need to pay money for them, but you can simply bring these products by looking into your own bins. But in order to enjoy the grapes all year round, it is necessary to make a little effort to care for the grapes and protect this wonderful vine from seasonal dangers.

How to cover a plant for the winter (video)

Often gardeners are interested in how to prepare the grapes for winter in order to reap a good harvest next season. Viticulture in most of Russia is risky, as it is not uncommon for bushes to either freeze or rot. In the conditions of the Russian climate, the preparation of grapes for winter is considered an important stage on which the further life of the plant depends.

Let us consider in more detail where to start preparing the grapes for wintering, what is the best time to focus on and how to make shelters for the bushes.

Why hide grapes?

Often, the owners who grow grapes on the site do not understand why they need to be prepared for the winter, because this plant itself is quite frost-resistant. Grapes are resistant to frost. Strong stiff branches can easily survive a temperature drop to -20 ° C. At the same time, the root system survives when the soil freezes to -8°C. But it is worth considering the fact that in the middle lane it is possible to lower the temperature to -30 ° C or even to -40 ° C. In addition, each grape variety has its own frost tolerance threshold. There are varieties that need shelter if the temperature drops below -7°C. Therefore, with the onset of autumn frosts, it is advisable to cover the grapes for the winter.

You also need to consider that the vine will tolerate low temperatures well if it has matured, that is, it has become woody. To do this, young shoots must be hardened. Without adequate nutrition, hydration and lighting of the bushes, the ripening process can become more difficult. It is also necessary to remove the crop from the branches in a timely manner so that it does not burden the young branches.


For grapes, not only top dressing is very important, but also regular thinning. Do not be afraid to remove extra shoots and stepchildren. This is the key to good vine ripening. It is advisable to thin out the bush in the summer, but if you have not done this, then in the fall you need to not only cut the grapes, but also remove the extra shoots, break off the stepchildren.

No need to rush to shelter for young grapes. The first frosts will only kill green leaves and shoots. For the vine, a slight decrease in temperature aids the ripening process.


It is difficult to talk about the exact timing of the preparation of the grape shelter. If you hurry, then the kidneys can sweat, if you are late, the bushes will freeze. It is recommended to cover the grapes in the second half of October, when the first frosts have passed. In any case, you better focus on the weather conditions and the condition of the plant.

Preparing grapes for winter (video)

Trimming and trimming

Preparing grapes for winter begins with the removal of all leaves. Then it is necessary to cut fruit-bearing bushes. During pruning, you need to remove all unnecessary vines that have produced a crop. It is desirable that a replacement knot and a fruit arrow remain on each sleeve.

If you notice sore or damaged sleeves, cut them off immediately. You need to leave only the young shoots that grow from the base of the bush. The color of an annual mature vine should be bright yellow (with a straw tint). It should not have scars.


Most often, grapes suffer from oidium. This disease affects only the living tissues of the plant, after which the berries become unsuitable for winemaking. On the vine, the presence of oidium can be determined by ugly dark spots. Try to remove all diseased shoots, leaving only healthy branches. This will help to localize the foci of the disease, and next year it will not spread to neighboring shoots. If you leave diseased shoots for the winter, then the likelihood that they will survive the frost is too small.


The first frosts will destroy the unripe vines. They also need to be cut. The unripe vine has a greenish color. Try to bend such a branch. If you do not hear a crunch, then such a vine will not be able to overwinter, it also needs to be cut.

After trimming, you need to make a cut. This is the removal of surface dew roots, which are located on the underground part of the bole. By removing them, you help the root system to better endure frost. If they are not cut out, then at sub-zero temperatures they will die anyway, from this the lower part of the root system weakens and may also freeze out.


Cold winters with little snow are especially dangerous for the roots of grapes, so the process of rolling should not be ignored. You need to dig the ground at the base of the bush to a depth of no more than 15 cm. The pits that remain after the cut are best covered not with soil, but with dry sand.

Feeding and watering

Before you start covering the grapes, you need to water them. In autumn, water-recharging watering is very important, as it helps the root system survive severe frosts. Usually, moistening is carried out along the trenches between the beds or with the help of drainage holes, but after the construction of the shelter. Dry soil is more likely to freeze and provoke the death of the roots of the bush. If the autumn was rainy and the soil remained loose, then it is not worth additionally moistening the soil.


The first feeding in the fall should be done in early September. This will help speed up the maturation of the vine and prepare the grapes for the winter. Usually, superphosphate (20 g) and potassium salt (10 g) are used for the first bait. Sometimes gardeners add boric acid (2.5 g), zinc sulfate (2 g) and manganese sulfate (2 g) to the first dressing. The indicated dosage is calculated for 1 sq. m. If the grapes grow on sandy soil, then potassium iodine (1 g) must be added to fertilizers.

In late autumn, the grapes need to be fertilized again. Soil enrichment is carried out by adding potassium (25 g) and phosphorus (25 g) to it. It is important to consider that all top dressing should be accompanied by abundant watering.

Rules for preparing grapes for wintering (video)

Shelter preparation

There are several ways that help protect grape bushes from winter frosts. The best option is to create an air cushion using wooden shields. To do this, lay out leaves or spruce branches under the vine. From above, the vine must be covered with a wooden shield with sides. There should be a few centimeters of free space around the plants. From above, it is desirable to cover the structure with any waterproof material. It can be slate, polyethylene, tarpaulin, roofing material, etc.

During the construction of the shelter, the vine must be dry. It is desirable that several days in a row with a temperature of -5 ° C, but not lower than -10 ° C, pass until the moment of shelter. Coniferous spruce branches and leaves should also be dry. If you do not have spruce branches, you can replace them with straw. Dry stems of flower and vegetable plants are perfect. But in this case, it is recommended to put in a shelter and bait from mice.

Sometimes gardeners cover the grapes with a film. This method of hiding is considered controversial. During the thaw period, grape bushes can quickly heat up, and as soon as the temperature drops, the shoots quickly freeze. The film does not help protect the bush from sudden temperature fluctuations.

If the winters in your area are snowy, then you can practice covering the bushes with snow. This is a reliable insulation, because every centimeter of snow cover gives a degree of heat. With heavy snowfalls, you should not build large shelters for grapes.


How to prevent ripening of grapes

Moisture should not get into the shelter, otherwise the bush may get sick and weaken. Often the grapes may not freeze, but rot. This is due to the fact that under the shelter too high humidity. Abundant watering in rainy autumn can also provoke decay. Damping can also happen if the grapes are hidden early in the shelter.

The onset of a thaw in winter also negatively affects the wintering of grapes. Above zero temperature can provoke the growth of young shoots, which will die at the first frost. A thaw can still provoke the appearance of an ice crust on the soil.

To prevent this from happening, you need to take care of ventilation in advance. To do this, it is desirable to leave holes for ventilation at the ends of the shelter. It's best if they open up. If you are making a solid shelter for the entire garden, then the ventilation holes should be every 2 m.

Hello to all lovers of homemade products, as well as those who love gardening!

In this article, I want to continue the topic of growing grapes on personal plots in central Russia.

And today I will talk about how to prepare a grape bush for wintering, which is undoubtedly a very important step in caring for grapes, since not only its harvest next year depends on a good wintering, but also the very fact of its survival and subsequent existence.

In principle, the preparation of a grape bush for winter can be slowly started immediately after harvesting in mid-late September. At this time, you can cut out individual weak or dried vines.

However, the main strong vines need to be left to mature for about a month. During this time, they better lignify, accumulate more nutrients, harden, and become more resistant to cold.

Already by about mid-October, the vines turn brown, indicating that they have matured well. At this time, you can start pruning, as well as harvesting cuttings from cut vines (if necessary).

So, here's what our grape bush looks like by mid-October.

As you can see, a lot of leaves still hang on it, but they are already dry and dead.

These leaves must be removed.

From the bush itself, the leaves are removed by simple tearing off. And to do this is very easy, because they barely hold on.

Fallen leaves must also be carefully removed from under the grape bush.

Then you can slightly loosen the top layer of soil under the grape bush with a chopper or rake.

Thus, it is possible to remove the remaining weeds, as well as break the earthen crust (if any).

This is what our bush looks like with the leaves and weeds removed.

Now you can start cutting out unnecessary vines.

To begin with, we cut with a knife the ties with which the vertical vines intended for removal were tied to the trellis.

Then we cut off the vertical vines themselves with secateurs.

These vines can be used to harvest cuttings. For information on how to prepare cuttings, see my article: "". If the cuttings are not needed, then the cut vines can, for example, be burned at the stake.

Then we cut off the horizontal vines, directly from which the vertical ones we cut grew.

The stumps left from the horizontal vines we cut are carefully covered with garden pitch, or another remedy for wounds.

We also remove the wooden pegs to which the horizontal vines were tied.

And here's what our grape bush looks like now.

As you can see, I left on it the seven most successful growing vertical vines at the very base of the bush. From these vines next year, in the spring, I will choose the most suitable ones and tie them horizontally to pegs. Just from them, new vertical vines will grow, on which the next year's crop will actually be formed.

In principle, depending on the age and strength of the bush, it is recommended to leave two to six of these vines on it, which will serve as horizontal arms next year.

Of the seven vines I have left, I will also use probably 4 to 6 vines, and the extra vines can be removed as early as next spring.

Now we can leave our grape bush in this form for another two, three weeks before the onset of stable cold and frost at night.

During this time, as a rule, in the second half of October, it is necessary to carry out pre-winter watering of our bush.

Moisture-charging watering makes the grape bush more tenacious and resistant to frost and generally better adapted to wintering.

Moreover, it is desirable to produce such watering, even if the autumn is quite damp and rainy. In this case, it is enough to pour 50-60 liters of water under the bush. If the autumn is dry, then the amount of water should be increased to 70-80 liters.

So, we produce moisture-charging watering of our grape bush.

It is necessary to water the bush gradually and evenly, that is, after we pour one watering, we need to wait two or three minutes for the water to be well absorbed, and then water it again until we pour out all the required amount of water.

Now we leave our grape bush alone for a while.

When more significant cold sets in, and the temperature at night drops to -2, -3 degrees, it will be necessary to cover the base of the bush with two or three buckets of earth or humus.

In this form, our bush will be until the very moment of its shelter for the winter.

As a rule, the final shelter of the grape bush is made closer to mid-November. But of course it all depends on the specific weather conditions. If from the long-term weather forecast it becomes known about the onset of severe cold weather, as well as frosts down to -5, -6 degrees and below, then the bush must be covered.

Before sheltering the grape bush (best in advance), you need to prepare spruce branches and hooks for pinning the vines to the ground.

Such hooks can be made from wooden planks or wire, but the easiest option, which I have been using for a long time, is to cut these hooks with pruning shears from various branches left over from autumn pruning of the garden.

So, to finally shelter the grape bush for the winter, we perform the following operations:

We take several spruce branches and lay them at the base of the bush. On them we will lay twisted vines.

Then we untie all the vines from the trellises, remove the trellises themselves and disassemble their racks.

This is what our bush looks like already without trellises.

Now gently bend the vines to the ground and twist them slightly. This must be done very carefully, because the vines are very fragile and can easily break.

We lay all the vines on the planted spruce branches and pin them to the ground with wooden hooks.

And this is what our bush looks like with vines pinned to the ground.

Now we cover it with spruce branches. To do this, spread the branches of the spruce branches in a fan along the circumference with the fluffy ends of the branches outward, and with the broken tips towards the middle of the bush.

Thus, we impose three, four layers of spruce branches. Each new layer is applied a little closer to the middle of the bush.

As a result, we get such a fairly dense and reliable shelter.

Now our grape bush can safely winter until spring.

At the same time, I want to remind you that since it is not the spruce branches themselves that protect the grape bush from winter freezing, but the layer of snow that is on it, it is very desirable to additionally throw snow with a shovel several times during the winter on a covered bush, thus creating a thicker snow pillow.

In conclusion, I want to say a few more words about the merits of spruce branches as a covering material.

In my experience, spruce branches are the best covering material for grapes, and for other horticultural crops. Its main advantages are that it passes air very well and at the same time holds snow very well.

I must say that some gardeners are trying to cover the grapes with hay or fallen leaves. However, by no means do I recommend doing so. Since these materials pass air well, only in dry form. If they get wet, for example, during a thaw, and then freeze in this form, then they completely stop letting air through. As a result, all the vines covered for the winter can simply rot and rot under such shelter.

Therefore, to shelter a grape bush, it is best to use spruce branches. Of course, it must be said right away that not all gardeners in our time have the opportunity to get spruce branches. But it is highly desirable to do so. At least just a few branches of spruce branches to cover the grape bush in just two layers. From above, it will be possible to additionally impose more cut branches from fruit trees and shrubs so that they better hold the snow.

If you have absolutely no way to get spruce branches, then try to cover the vine bush with a non-woven covering material folded in two or three layers. At least it will let air through even when wet. From above, again, you can put cut branches, or several wooden boards, on which snow will need to be thrown periodically during the winter for better thermal insulation.

Well, that's all for me!

Good luck to everyone in growing grapes!