Grapes are a crop that cannot be grown outdoors in all regions of Russia. Many gardeners solve this problem by planting a plant in a greenhouse. This protects the grapes from freezing and gives them the opportunity to fully ripen even in not the hottest summer. So, if a garden plot or cottage is located in an area with a cold climate, this does not mean that you should deny yourself the pleasure of planting grapes.

Benefits of greenhouse cultivation

Practice shows that the cultivation of grapes in a greenhouse has a number of undoubted advantages:

  • a closed space allows you to effectively avoid any negative effects of weather conditions: severe frosts, unexpected frosts, prolonged rains, sudden temperature changes, etc.
  • for crop care events, you can choose any time convenient for the gardener, and not wait for suitable weather conditions;
  • the ability to plant other crops and flowers nearby (such a neighborhood is unacceptable on open ground);
  • reliable protection of grapes from infection with fungal infections, pests and parasites (prevention can be carried out less often than in the open field);
  • high productivity;
  • early ripening of fruits.

Greenhouse for grapes

Types of greenhouses for grapes

A greenhouse for grapes must have a certain list of characteristics:

  • the height must be at least 2.5 meters;
  • footage cannot be less than 25 square meters;
  • for more efficient heat retention, the correct greenhouse for grapes must have a base (foundation);
  • it is better to use a polycarbonate material (cellular polycarbonate) for covering the greenhouse, since it has the most suitable thermal insulation characteristics and excellent light conductivity.
Tempranillo grape variety

Any experienced grower knows that in order to successfully grow a vineyard that does not tolerate low temperatures, a greenhouse must be equipped with heating. It is best to use heating IR lamps. The top of the greenhouse (ceiling area) is best suited for their placement.

Note. A ventilation system must be organized in the structure to preserve the microclimate, which will make the cultivation of grapes more successful.

For irrigation, an automatic drip irrigation system can be applied.

Drip irrigation of grapes

Two types of greenhouses are considered most suitable for growing any grape variety:

  • Rectangular structure with a gable roof. Such a greenhouse complex guarantees an optimal degree of illumination of the plantings.
  • The structure is in the form of arches. This type of greenhouse has a lower cost and is easy to assemble. On a number of indicators, it is inferior to rectangular structures, but it can also be used for the cultivation of grapes.

Important! Experienced growers recommend making a removable top at the greenhouse.

This design will prevent the likelihood of freezing crops in winter. The top open for the winter will provide access to rainfall, and the snow will provide reliable protection to the vineyard roots.

Design development

Planting grapes

Many gardeners choose to build their own greenhouse. In this case, it is important that the structure of the structure and the technology of its construction are carefully thought out. You need to decide on the configuration, dimensions and construction materials.The footage is calculated based on the number of bushes planned for planting.

The optimal greenhouse height is 2.5 m (but it can be made lower). For the construction of a polycarbonate greenhouse in the shape of a hemisphere, for example, the parameters of upright walls can be 4x1.5 meters. In such a situation, the height will be one and a half meters. The width of the structure will depend on the angle of inclination of the roof slope.

DIY greenhouse

Grape greenhouse for beginners

Planting grapes in the Far East

Novice winegrowers are advised to opt for an arched greenhouse if they plan to make it with their own hands. It is easier to execute. The first step is to prepare a greenhouse plan.

Important! When calculating the dimensions, it should be remembered that polycarbonate sheets in the standard version are produced with dimensions of 2100x6000 mm.

The construction work itself will not be difficult, you just need to lay the foundation and install the structure itself. Detailed instructions and tips can be found on the Internet without any problems. Practice shows that even the most inexperienced builder can cope with the task.

Greenhouse grape care

In the case of grapes in a polycarbonate greenhouse, planting and caring for the crop should be organized differently than in the case of planting in open ground.

The cultivation of grapes will only have a result if the bush in the greenhouse feels comfortable. This is only possible if the young vine grows under suitable temperature conditions. The temperature should be raised gradually. At the time of landing, +10 degrees is enough, by the time of bud break - +24 degrees during the day and +16 degrees at night. By the time the fruits ripen, the average daily temperature can be +30 degrees.

Important! The temperature can be controlled by means of an open window or forced ventilation.

Watering

After planting the grapes in the greenhouse, the plant should be thoroughly watered. Seedlings that begin to take root should be watered again in another week. After the procedure, the area around the bushes should be covered with mowed grass or compost.

Further watering technology is simple: the procedure should be repeated no more than 1 time per week. In fact, the berries need to be watered less often. If the plant is waterlogged, the fruit may crack.

Watering the grapes

Top dressing

Fertilizers are applied together with water. Alternatively, a small strip can be laid in the ground, 2 centimeters deep, into which useful compounds are introduced (then they are washed out with water during irrigation and fall into the ground).

First, the culture should be fed with potassium every two weeks. When the plant grows larger and flowers begin to appear, top dressing should be done weekly. It is necessary to finish fertilizing the plants when the color of the fruit begins to change. Nitrogen or compound fertilizers should only be used as a last resort. For example, if the vine is not growing well enough.

Top dressing of grapes with ash

Pollination

Greenhouse grapes are pollinated by hand by shaking the stems. But there are some varieties, when grown, the pollen should be collected in the palm of your hand, gently tapping the flowers and carefully transferring it to the pistils.

Pruning

In order for the berries to receive a sufficient amount of light and develop better, the culture needs to be pinned. In addition, the crown should be formed by removing excess shoots several times per season. Lateral shoots of the second order must be cut to the first leaf, and the sterile stems to the fifth leaf. By the end of the season, it is recommended to leave only a few shoots near the top of the main stem. Excess juice will go into them, and the grapes will not crack.

Pruning grapes

In the fall, branches that have managed to bear fruit must be cut to one bud, and the main stem by 2/3.

For the winter, it will remain to bend the vine and cover it with straw or dry sawdust.

Summarizing the above, we can conclude that it is possible to plant and grow grapes in a greenhouse in most regions of Russia.The most important thing is to approach the process responsibly.