What kind of soil do grapes like?

All gardeners can potentially benefit from information about what kind of soil grapes like. Attention should be paid not only to the acidity of the soil, as is often thought. We must also think about clay and other soils for grapes, about measures to improve the quality of the land.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

What should be the composition?

The practice of viticulture has long and confidently answered this question. Grapes love the soil, which is made up of stone, minerals, clay, sand and organic inclusions. But at the same time, on too dense soils, this plant develops very poorly. Clean sand tends to freeze in the cold season, even if the frosts are not too severe, and in normal times moisture does not linger in it. As for trace elements, the soil for the vineyard must be present in noticeable quantities:

  • nitrogen;

  • iron;

  • magnesium;

  • calcium;

  • phosphorus.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

Required acidity

The pH value (better known to non-specialists as acid-base balance) is also very significant. Normally, for grapes, the pH can be from 4 to 8. It is hardly reasonable to use a strongly acidic soil. In this case, the root system of the plant experiences problems, poorly absorbs substances from the external environment.

We have to use increased doses of fertilizers, which is not only uneconomical, but also harmful to the environment.

But not everything is so simple and straightforward. Indicators should vary depending on the type of plant. For American varieties, you can choose a soil more acidic. European and Asian varieties thrive at a pH of 6 or more. The most accurate information can only be obtained from the description of specific varieties.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

Soil type selection

Before digging a hole for vine plantings, you need to make sure that the soil is really suitable. This plant definitely prefers a rocky, sandy substrate. There must be gravel inclusions. An important requirement is air permeability, since the root system is supposed to be aerated. On rocky-sandy areas, other crops grow poorly, but grapes feel great there, they are warm and comfortable. Loose earth containing crushed stone or gravel helps develop a serious root system. It forms a large number of suction roots.

Chernozems, on which other crops grow well, are hardly suitable for vineyards. If there is not enough sand and gravel, they are definitely no longer suitable. It is worth remembering that the vine does not grow in areas with impermeable subsoil. Therefore, to grow it in swampy areas, on a solid stone substrate, there is nothing to think about. It will not be possible to breed a productive vineyard on a salt marsh. Clay lands are heavy and dense, they will not pass well both water and air. Bushes will develop poorly and slowly. And even if they develop, it will not work to count on a decent harvest.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

How to improve the soil?

Regardless of soil type, they can be optimized. The main focus is on nutritional enhancement. Thanks to special additives, roots in layering are formed more actively. Too dense clay is diluted with the addition of coarse sand fractions. It is useful at the same time to lay another 20 kg of grassroots peat per 1 sq. m. Otherwise, they act when working with loam. Sand of a large fraction in a volume of 20 kg is laid in it. The same amount of peat is required. You can’t do without compost. But it is already being used less, only 5 kg per 1 m2. Purely sandy soil is completely changed, since it is practically useless. Sandy loam needs to be compacted and made more nutritious. For this purpose, apply:

Mostly they try to enrich the earth with organic substances.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

Manure from goats, horses and sheep is preferred for clay and loam. Pig and sheep manure will help to cope with the shortcomings of sandy soil. The high concentration of nitrogen in bird droppings forces it to be used very carefully. It is desirable to insist such a fertilizer in water, diluted 15 times, from 10 to 15 days. Each bush will require the use of 3 liters of the finished solution.

You can also cook peat compost with humus (3 shares against 1 share respectively). The mixture is infused for 5 to 8 months. It should be used in the amount of 3-4 kg per 1 sq. m. It should be borne in mind that with the constant use of such an improver, the soil in the vineyard is oxidized. To weaken such a negative effect will help:

What kind of soil do grapes like?

Mulch is helpful. As it is usually used straw, wheat bran or sawdust. Such slow-acting fertilizers will retain moisture and increase the looseness of the earth. They will saturate the grape bushes with useful substances. Mulch is laid out in a layer of about 5 cm.

Green fertilizers are often recommended for grapes.. Legumes (including peas), rye or mustard are planted in the aisles of bushes. This will enrich the top soil layer. During the growing season, it is useful to water the bushes with a solution of ash (0,5% concentration).

With the help of such a solution, they not only improve the quality of the land, but also successfully repel attacks by pests and diseases.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

We must not forget about mineral supplements.. So, in the spring months, the use of nitrogen and potassium-phosphorus compounds is recommended. With the onset of summer, nitrogen mixtures must be abandoned, and phosphorus-potassium mixtures should be left. In winter, complex fertilizers are scattered on the snow. There are a few more nuances:

  • white grape varieties are more supportive of organics than minerals;

  • red varieties do not tolerate humus fertilizer;

  • when growing wine varieties, overfeeding should be carefully avoided.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

Useful Tips

The conditions under which the vine develops depend not only on the chemical composition and structure of the soil. It is important to consider how they are affected by terrain. It is useful to plant vineyards on slopes, because the water does not stagnate there. At the same time, the slopes are unequal – the south or south-west side is best suited.

From growing such a crop in the lowlands, even if the soil there formally meets the requirements, it is better to refrain.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

Vine growers of the Moscow region, the Leningrad region and neighboring regions often encounter waterlogged acidic soilsand. Before planting plants, they must not only be drained and acidity returned to normal, but also nutritional value should be increased. The Volga chernozems are characterized by a balance shift towards higher alkalinity. Therefore, they must be neutralized, but otherwise nothing much needs to be done. Sandy areas predominate in the southern regions of Russia. They will have to lay a combination of peat and organic matter. However, at the same time, the mildness of the climate makes it possible to compensate for the traditional problem of sands – winter freezing.

The Siberian and Ural territories are also used for growing grapes. There, on any land, even when choosing a frost-resistant variety, you will have to securely cover the plantings with the onset of cold weather. But you do not need to deal with the characteristic pests of the vine. They simply cannot survive in harsh climates. And also it should be noted that any type of soil in Siberia and the Urals requires the same approach as in other regions of the country.

What kind of soil do grapes like?

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Anna Evans

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