What is useful for feeding grapes with ash in summer and how to apply it correctly

Grapes are one of the most popular horticultural crops, which are planted even in the middle lane. Breeders brought many varietiesfeeling comfortable even in cold winter. However, the yield of such plants is often small and sour. To get tasty berries, it is important to properly feed the southern guest.

Why feed grapes with ash

Ash is one of the most valuable fertilizers for any plant... It is recommended to collect it in separate containers, and then use it as a top dressing.

Attention! The composition of the ash largely depends on which crops were burned. Thus, the highest calcium content will be obtained from old trees and potato tops.

The organic product contains a lot of potassium, phosphorus and about 30 more trace elements, which ensure the development of plants, protect them from external influences.

Benefits and effects on grapes

Often the agent is used to neutralize acidic soilsso that the grapes grow in a comfortable environment and receive the maximum amount of nutrients.

Useful properties of ash:

• prevention of fungal diseases;
• destruction of certain species pests;
• stabilization of the water balance due to the high content of potassium and calcium;
• root development due to phosphorus;
• activation of metabolism;
• the formation of dense grapes;
• accelerated growth of stems and leaves.

Regular and long-term use of ash as fertilizer leads to chlorosis - a disease in which the activity of photosynthesis decreases.

How to determine the need for grapes in such feeding

Before starting to fertilize, it is important to make sure that the vineyard really needs in additional trace elements and growth stimulation.

Some signs:

• chlorosis as a result of a lack of nitrogen (yellow leaves, small and thin shoots, rapid wilting);
• burns along the edges of the sheet plates;
• dying off of individual stems and parts of grapes;
• rolling leaves into tubes;
• purple tint of the plant.

Even if individual leaves begin to curl, wilt or change color, it's time to think about feeding.

Terms of feeding grapes with ash in summer

The timing of fertilization affects the quality of the grapes and their yield.

Traditionally, it is recommended to feed 5 times a year.:

• 1 - in spring;
• 3 - in summer;
• 1 - in the fall.

There is a general scheme for making ash in summer, but the feeding options are chosen independently, and the timing is adjusted depending on weather conditions and personal capabilities:

• the first time fertilization is applied several weeks before flowering (in late May or early June);
• the second time - after flowering, but before the berries appear (in mid-July);
• the last one - before the start ripening of the crop (mid-August).

If, after flowering, other complex dressings are used together with ash, the total yield will double.

How often to repeat the procedure

The number of procedures directly depends on the selected application method... A liquid solution with complex fertilizers is enough to dig into the ground 1 time next to the root system of the bush.Spraying is best done twice, with an interval of 5-7 days.

Attention! Try not to leave dry ash on the crown and stems. It can leave burns that damage the grapes.

If ash is simply scattered around the bush to protect against pests, the procedure is repeated 3-5 times depending on the weather conditions and the general condition of the plant.

How to make ash fertilizer for grapes

The easiest option is to use a dry mix.... Some summer residents use it too often, endangering the grapes, since it does not receive the proper amount of nutrients, and burn marks remain at the base.

Application options

Ash is recommended to be mixed with liquid substrates or water, so as not to harm the plant..

Such methods allow you to work with each of the problems pointwise, ensure better absorption of nutrients, and reduce soil acidity.

The main options for applying top dressing:

• liquid mixture with water for irrigation;
• dry ash;
• strained spray solution;
• infusion of laundry soap;
• ash extraction;
• liquid mixture with complex dressings;
• layer-by-layer mixing of ash with compost.

You cannot use all methods at the same time... It is better to divide them into several applications in accordance with the diagram. For example, spraying is desirable in the spring, and water feeding - in the summer.

Proportions and instructions

The first way to prepare the hood:

1. 1 tbsp. Pour wood ash (about 100–150 g) into a galvanized bucket.
2. Fill the container completely with hot water. Mix the contents thoroughly and leave for 2 days.
3. On the 3rd day, mix the aqueous solution again and apply.

Second way:

1. 1 tbsp. Pour ash in the evening into a bucket and pour 1 liter of hot water, mix thoroughly and leave overnight in a closed place.
2. In the morning, add another 9 liters of cold water to the container. Bring the consistency to a uniform state and use for watering.

The product is used for spraying:

1. Pour 300 g of ash with 300 ml of water. Stir and place on the stove. Boil for 30 minutes, cool and drain.
2. Rub a bar of laundry soap and gradually add it into the solution.
3. Add another 10 liters of water, mix and strain a second time. After that, start spraying.

Pure ash is rarely used... To apply it to the soil or directly onto the leaves, it is best to dilute the mixture with water. In other cases, it is required either to keep a distance from the plant, or to mix the product with other fertilizers (for example, compost).

How to deposit correctly

Even a good fertilizer can harm a plant if used incorrectly..

Due to the high content of phosphorus and calcium, when applied in large quantities, ash negatively affects the acid-base balance of the soil.

Fertilization instructions in different ways

To get it right feed, it is important to understand which parts of the plant it will affect.

Recommendations for the use of dry ash:

• never sprinkle the mixture near the trunk and stems;
• do not leave ash on leaves, flowers and fruits;
• it is better to mix fertilizer with soil and distribute around the grapes if it is a single plant, or between rows if it is a large plantation;
• use compost to "soften" the impact of ash: lay it around the plant in layers, with compost on top;
• in windy weather, it is better to shed water on the places where the mixture was introduced;
• if the soil is acidic, you will need about 4 kg of fertilizer per plant (for soil with a normal alkaline balance - about 2 kg per adult bush).

For young plants (up to 2-4 years old) you will need 2 times less ash.

When using liquid mixtures it is important to follow the recommendations to get the most out of the feeding:

• do not water for 2 days in a row;
• for better assimilation of fertilizer by the root system, make a hole around the plant and pour the solution inside, lightly sprinkle it with earth;
• do not water the grape leaves with products that are not intended for spraying, in order to avoid burns;
• do not process with infusion or solution in rainy weather;
• do not use highly concentrated mixtures, always dilute ash and insist;
• mix fertilizers in advance so that they work together;
• do not use more than one additional feeding together with ash.

Watering the plant will require 10 liters of liquid (for 1 reception)... The ditches between the rows are filled with water 20–25 cm high. It is better to dig holes at a distance of 30–40 cm from the central trunk (the same parameters are relevant for burying dry ash).

Small plants need 2-3 liters of liquid for watering, and medium - 5-7 liters.

What mistakes to avoid

It is difficult to do something wrong when applying fertilizer, but there are times when gardeners make mistakes due to ignorance or inattention.

The most common mistakes:

• applying dry ash in direct sunlight;
• using a hot mix for spraying or watering;
• digging deep holes and holes for fertilizer distribution;
• frequent repetition of the procedure (more than 3 times over the summer, several days in a row);
• feeding during harvest;
• excessive ash application.

How to feed grapes with ash at different stages of growth

The choice of feeding method is determined by the stage of growth of the crop.... If this is a young stalk, it is better to pour the ash into the hole before planting and mix thoroughly with the ground. Ideally, pour over the mixture and let it sit for a few days.

An adult plant that does not bear fruit is recommended to be sprayed... The same method is used before flowering.

Universal method - root watering, which is carried out in most cases without damaging the vineyard.

Tips

A few tips that will allow you to better navigate the issues summer feeding grapes:

• give preference to root fertilizers;
• do not use dry ash often;
• do not carry out summer spraying at temperatures below + 23 ° C;
• Inspect each plant carefully before fertilizing.

Conclusion

Grapes require increased attention from the grower. To get a good harvest in the fall, you need to devote time not only to watering and pruning, but also to the correct selection of dressings.

Ash is a universal remedy that can only harm grapes in large doses. It helps to fight chlorosis, curling leaves, wilting of the bush.