With proper care and proper feeding, grapes give a rich harvest. It is important to figure out what fertilizers are suitable for application in the autumn, and when to carry out such activities so that the plant does not die in winter.
Time for feeding grapes in autumn
The procedure for applying autumn fertilizers has its own time frame. It should be carried out immediately after harvest, therefore, for early and late grape varieties, the timing of feeding will differ.
During this period, the shrub especially needs nutrients, as it begins preparations for wintering. The level of metabolism in the plant depends on the amount of potassium and phosphorus supplied, and therefore the ability to restore one's strength. Top dressing in the fall is the key to a good harvest for the next year.
An excess of fertilizers in the soil can lead to more serious consequences than a lack of them.
Benefits of autumn feeding:
- Spring moisture in the soil, enriched with useful fertilizer substances, will provide a comprehensive nutrition for the grapes.
- The growing season will come on time and go well.
- When the soil is loosened during feeding, the roots of grapes receive additional care.
- Such measures are the prevention of diseases and threats from plant pests.
An experienced gardener in his video tells why and when to make top dressing for grapes:
Minerals for the growth of grapes
Fertilizers of the mineral composition are necessary for the life of grapes. Using them when feeding in the fall, carefully read the instructions so as not to harm the plant.
Nitrogen
In the fall, the application of fertilizers containing nitrogen is prohibited. This is due to the fact that the element stimulates the growth of young vines. All efforts are spent on this and the grapes do not have time to prepare for the winter period. Even with the first frost, the shrub may die. It is recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers in spring.
Potash
Potassium is an essential element for grapes. It depends on him how the plant will endure the cold period and whether the next season will be productive. This element affects the formation and ripening of bunches, prevents the appearance of cracks in the fruits from an excess of moisture, helps the plant to survive drought. If there is not enough potassium for the plant, then the edges of the leaves die off.
The record holder among fertilizers in terms of potassium content is potassium sulfate - 50%. Another advantage of this top dressing is the absence of chlorine. Potassium salt contains 40% potassium, and potassium magnesium - 30%. Combine potash dressings with phosphoric ones.
Phosphoric
Phosphorus, accumulating in the tissues of grapes after the autumn application to the soil, promotes flowering and the formation of ovaries and rich brushes. Simple superphosphate contains 21% phosphorus, is suitable for various types of soil and dissolves easily in water.
Acidified soils should be limed by adding chalk, limestone or other slightly alkaline components to the superphosphate. It is the most popular phosphate fertilizer.
In double superphosphate, potassium is present in an amount of 50%. It differs from the previous product in the absence of gypsum in the composition.
Phosphorite flour is consumed in large volumes, since the content of phosphorus oxide in it is up to 23%. This type of fertilizer has an effective effect on acidic soil for a long time.
Complex
Complex fertilizers are created by a chemical reaction of elements or by simple mixing of monofertilizers. In addition to nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, they contain additional components. For example, zinc and copper increase the yield of grapes. Such dressings include "Nitrofoska", "Nitroammofoska", "Rost-1", "Florovit", etc.
Since the composition of complex fertilizers contains nitrogen, they must be applied in the spring, according to the state of the plants - in the summer. To prepare grapes for wintering, their use is undesirable.
Organic fertilizers for grapes
If mineral fertilizers were applied in spring and summer, then it is preferable to use organic fertilizers in autumn.
Ash
The most suitable organic fertilizer for grapes is ash. There is no nitrogen in it, so such feeding cannot harm in the autumn-winter period. And the abundant phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium will help prepare the plant for wintering.
The accumulation of nutrients and the overgrowth of young shoots with bark will protect from winter bad weather. The richest in elements is ash from sunflower seeds.
The amount of the main component in it depends on the type of ash:
- coniferous ash - rich in phosphorus;
- deciduous - potassium.
In dry form, such dressing is used when digging a grape plantation.
To prepare the ash solution, follow these steps:
- Pour 300 g of ash with 10 liters of water;
- insist for about a week, stirring the infusion periodically;
- make a depression no more than 10 cm around the grapes;
- pour the infusion into the groove at the rate of 5 liters for each bush.
The video presented tells about the introduction of ash under the grapes:
Compost
Decayed plant remains are rich in their composition of trace elements. Mix compost with peat for feeding. Place this mixture directly under the vine bush with a layer of at least 5 cm. Sprinkle with soil.
You can put plant residues in a container and fill with water. In the process of overheating, minerals will be released, which, with irrigation, will pass into the soil.
Benefits of compost:
- makes the soil loose;
- inhibits the growth of weeds;
- retains moisture in the soil.
Bird droppings
Bird droppings contain a large amount of trace elements in an easily accessible form. It reduces the acidity of the soil, saturates it with beneficial bacteria. It takes time for nitrogen to be released from fertilizer and get into the root system. That is why it is advisable to introduce litter in the fall.
Chicken manure is used as a solution or dry. To prepare a liquid feed
- add water to the litter in a ratio of 1: 4;
- put in a warm place for 10 days;
- dilute with infusion with water in a ratio of 1:10;
- pour between rows at the rate of 500 ml per bush.
Do not pour the solution directly under the grapes so as not to burn the root system.
It is recommended to water the soil before and after top dressing to ensure that the top dressing is quickly absorbed into the soil. The procedure for the introduction of bird droppings is carried out 1-2 times a year.
Manure
Manure (mullein) supplies grapes with potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, saturates the soil with beneficial bacteria. Waste products need time to peel before feeding. Then manure is mixed with compost, and the resulting composition is filled in the furrows in the aisles of the vineyard.
After using the fertilizer, cover the shrub with soil. In order not to harm the roots, make the furrows through one row aisle. Watering the grooves will provide faster access of trace elements to the root system of the bush.
Pre-dilute the manure with water in a ratio of 1: 4, let it brew and water the plantation. Enough 7-10 liters of infusion per 1 sq. m of land.
Do not use clean fresh mullein for feeding! It gives off methane and ammonia.
In the following video, see about applying fertilizing in the form of manure:
Features of fertilization of young and old grapes
If fertilizers were used when planting young grapes, then in the next 2-3 years no additional fertilizing is required. From the third year, organic matter is used first, and then mineral supplements. Competent fertilization increases the frost resistance of grapes, is a preventive measure against diseases and pests, and enriches the soil.
Old grapes are saturated with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers before wintering. The formed bark on the stems and a sufficient amount of minerals help the plant to survive frost without shelter. And in the spring, a healthy bush will actively enter the growing season.
Useful Tips
To carry out high-quality and effective autumn dressing of grapes, you should heed the following tips:
- In order for the fertilizers to be absorbed by the main root system, dig circles around each bush with a radius of 0.5 m and a depth of 35-40 cm. Do not be afraid of damage to the roots - they will quickly recover. If fertilizing is applied directly to the soil surface without making depressions, they will be absorbed by the upper roots, and not by the main ones. This will lead to their branching on the surface, and not to strengthening at a depth and during the winter, the roots will freeze.
- Abundant watering in October, after harvest, will help the accumulation of nutrients in the grapes and protect it from low temperatures. In addition, the accumulation of potassium will prevent the fruit from cracking in the next season. It makes no sense to fill the plants. It is enough to maintain soil moisture based on weather conditions. The amount of water required for irrigation is also determined by the type of soil - in sandy soils, grapes need up to 70 liters for each bush, and in clay soils, 20-25 liters are enough.
- After the autumn pruning and feeding, it is necessary to spray the grapes to prevent diseases and pests.
The use of autumn feeding of grapes will help not only saturate the plant with useful elements, but also prepare it for the coming winter. The bush will bear the cold much easier, and in the spring it will spend less energy on recovery.