The best frost-resistant grape varieties: characteristics, description, selection criteria
Winter-hardy grape varieties are planted throughout the country - in the Leningrad and Rostov regions, in the Volga region and the Central region. Most varieties do not require shelter for the winter, they can withstand a harsh climate and sudden changes in weather. To choose the right variety, it is recommended to study the ranking of the best, paying attention to temperature indicators, immunity to diseases, and care requirements.
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Features of frost-resistant grape varieties
Grapes love warmth, light and sun. However, this does not prevent it from growing in regions with a cold climate - in the Urals, in Siberia, some areas of the Far East. These lands are characterized as places with short and cool summers, abrupt weather changes, frequent frosts and winds. Therefore, gardeners for planting choose frost-resistant grape varieties that give a stable harvest every year.
From an agrotechnical point of view, frost resistance is understood as the ability of a culture to withstand a drop in temperature without damaging the eyes of an annual shoot. These eyes are responsible for further fruiting and the number of healthy fruits. Agronomists subdivide frost resistance into several categories - weak, medium, and increased. The colder the region, the higher it should be.
Top best
How to choose a frost-resistant grape variety? To begin with, it is recommended to study the top of the best - their taste and marketability, yield and characteristics.
Isabel
The popular Isabella grape variety appeared in America and in a short time spread throughout the world. Gardeners are attracted by the appearance of the fruit - blue-violet berries with a dense white bloom are beautifully collected in a large bunch. The weight of the hand reaches 2 kg.
Isabella's taste is intense, sweet and juicy, with a strawberry aroma. The skin is firm, the flesh is tender and pleasant. Ripening period is about 6 months from the date of the appearance of the first buds. The plant is tall, so for it landing choose spacious areas.
Lady fingers
A mid-season variety with a ripening period of about 140 days. The bushes are vigorous, the leaves are curled, the color is rich green. The bunches are large, conical, the weight of one reaches 400 g. The fruits are elongated, the skin is thin, the pulp is of medium density.
Depending on the subspecies of the variety, the color can be light green with a yellow tint or pinkish. Ladies' fingers are appreciated for their pleasant sweet and sour taste with a tart aftertaste. Productivity - about 4 kg per 1 sq. m.
Lydia
The technical grape variety Lydia is often confused with Isabella - both varieties originated in America and share several similarities. Bushes grow quickly, differ in power. Up to 40 kg of delicious grapes are harvested from one bush per season. The berries ripen gradually, the fruiting period is extended.
The shape of the fruit is round, the color is violet-red, during ripeness it can be brown. The skin is dense, so the harvest is suitable for long-term storage. The pulp with a strong berry aroma, the taste is sweet and tart. Lydia grapes are used fresh or cooked juices and compotes.
Sharov's riddle
The super early variety ripens in 3-3.5 months. Bushes are small, leaves are medium in size. The weight of the bunch is about 500 g, the shape is spreading. The berries are round, the weight of one varies from 2 to 3 g. The color is dark blue or black, there is a slight waxy coating.
The pulp is pleasant, with small bones inside. Berry-fruity taste, sweet aroma. After ripening, the fruits do not crumble, they stay on the bushes for a long time. After harvest, they are stored in a cool place for up to 80 days. Productivity - about 20 kg per plant per season. The variety is popular in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
Taiga
The name of the variety speaks for itself - Taiga is suitable for cultivation in the harsh conditions of the Siberian and Ural winters. The bushes are vigorous, the shoots are spreading. Conical bunches, weight - about 300 g.
The shape of the fruit is spherical, slightly elongated, the weight of the berry is 2-3 g. The color is dark purple or black, the rind is medium density, with a slight light bloom. The taste is sweet, without sourness. In application Taiga is universal - suitable for fresh consumption, processing, long-term storage. Productivity - about 20 kg per bush.
Amur breakthrough
The height of the bush reaches 2.5 m, so the Amur Breakthrough is planted in spacious areas. The weight of the bunch is about 350 g, the berries are dark blue, rounded. The weight of one is 3 g, the dense skin protects the crop from cracking. The Amur breakthrough is resistant to diseases, withstands frosts down to -40 ° C, therefore it is suitable for growing in the coldest regions.
The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, there are few seeds. It is important to monitor the level of moisture in the soil - the variety does not tolerate long-term lack of watering. Productivity - 10 kg of fruits per plant.
Pink pearl
The variety got its name due to its beautiful red-pink spherical fruits. The berries are collected in a conical bunch weighing 400-500 g. The growing season is no more than 120 days. Berry weight - 5 g, pulp of medium density, tender. Classic grape taste, pleasant. The skin is thin, so Pink pearls are not suitable for long-term storage. Over the summer, gardeners collect about 8 kg of ripe grapes from one bush. It is recommended to eat the berries fresh or process them immediately after harvest.
Tukay
The Russian variety Tukai is appreciated for its winter hardiness and unpretentious care. The bunches are large - up to 1.5 kg, ripen by mid-July. The berries are tasty and sweet, with a bright nutmeg aroma and a high sugar content. The weight of one is 4 g, the skin is dense, the color is white-amber with green tints. The fruits do not crumble, are rarely attacked by insect pests and diseases. Productivity - up to 20 kg per bush.
Interesting! The above varieties are not only suitable for growing in harsh climatic conditions, but are also often used for cooking. The sweet and pleasant taste of grapes is harmoniously combined with different products: pineapple, champignons, olives, chicken breast, cheese, herbs.
The best early-ripening, mid-ripening, late-ripening grape varieties
Some gardeners do not like to wait long and prefer early varieties that give their first harvest in early or mid-July. Others plant late-ripening grapes that ripen only in autumn.
Early maturing frost-resistant grape varieties
Such varieties are chosen for cultivation in the northern regions. The ripening period varies from 95 to 110 days. During this time, the grapes have time to grow the vine, gain juiciness and sweetness. Also, early maturing varieties rarely get sick.
Muromets
Ripening period - 105 days, vigorous bushes, bunch weight - about 500 g. Berries are dense and elastic, protected from cracking. Fruit weight - 4 g, color is dark purple, there is a pronounced waxy bloom on the peel. The pulp is firm and crispy, sweet. Muromets is distinguished by keeping quality and unpretentious care. Productivity - 12 kg per plant.
Codryanka
The table variety is common in the northern regions and Central Russia. The berries are large, round, dark purple.The weight of one is about 10 g, the weight of the bunch reaches 1.5 kg. The ripening period is 110 days. Codryanka they are appreciated for the sweet berry pulp and stable yield - gardeners collect up to 20 kg per bush per season.
Hercules
Early table grapes ripen in 90 days. Bunches weighing up to 500 g, berries are dense, light peach in color with a bloom. The taste is sweet and fragrant, with a nutmeg aftertaste. Hercules does not suffer from powdery mildew or rot, is resistant to attacks of insect pests. Withstands temperatures down to -25 ° C. Suitable for fresh consumption, processing and storage. Productivity - 10-15 kg.
Mid-season varieties
Mid-season varieties are distinguished by their unpretentious care. The grapes ripen by August, the berries grow large and juicy.
Original
The variety can withstand temperatures down to -22 ° C, disease resistant. Bushes of medium size, strong roots. The berries are pink-green, with a sharp tip. The rind is firm, the flesh is juicy and sweet. The original has a pleasant nutmeg aroma and a refreshing sweet and sour taste. Bunch weight - from 600 to 800 g.
Crisp
Vigorous grapes with large white-pink fruits. Berry weight - up to 3 g, bunch - 400 g. The aroma is delicate, berry. The pulp is of medium density, sweet. Crisp ripens by early September. Productivity - up to 10 kg per plant. It is universal in application.
Chocolate
The berries are distinguished by their original chocolate-nutmeg taste. The shape is oval or cylindrical, the color is purple-brown, the skin is dense. The weight of a bunch varies from 700 to 1200 g, the weight of a berry is about 8 g. To feel the unusual taste of Chocolate grapes, it is recommended to use it fresh.
Late ripening varieties
The average ripening period of late-ripening grapes varies from 150 to 170 days. Fruits are rarely rotted and resistant to insect pests.
Taifi
The berries are large, white or pink, round-elongated in shape. The berry weighs about 4 g, the surface of the grapes is covered with small dots and a waxy bloom.
The pulp is juicy, fleshy, crunchy. The taste is sweet with a slight sourness. Taifi is appreciated for its attractive presentation and versatility in application.
Hercules
Withstands temperatures up to -23 ° C, unpretentious in cultivation. The weight of the bunch reaches 1 kg, the shape is conical. Berry weight - about 3 g, sweet-sour taste, rich berry aroma. The color of the peel is purple with a blue tint. Productivity - 8-12 kg per bush.
December
A purple grape with delicate pulp and small seeds. The weight of the bunch is about 300 g, the berries are compact, elastic. Differs in disease resistance. The taste is sweet, the yield is stable - about 13 kg per plant. Grown in the middle lane, Tatarstan, Samara region, Moscow region.
Attention! Experienced gardeners recommend covering late-ripening grape varieties for the winter with sacking. Fruits ripen late, it will not be superfluous to provide them with additional protection.
White, dark and pink varieties
White varieties are technical and table varieties, these include berries of white, light yellow and green colors. They use berries for processing and food, prepare juices, wines, compotes. Russian gardeners choose varieties Arcadia, Aligote, White Muscat, Chardonnay. The average ripening period is 130 days, care consists of traditional watering and dressing. The berries can withstand temperatures down to -20 ° C, but it is recommended to cover them with protective material for the winter.
Dark varieties are famous for their sweet and juicy taste, pleasant berry pulp. The color in dark varieties is black, blue, purple, burgundy, brown. Of the frost-resistant grapes, Black Delight, Codryanka, Athos are noted. Dark grapes are rich in sugars and contain healthy vitamins and minerals.
Pink grape varieties are loved for their attractive appearance - the berries are light red, pinkish, with an amber tint. Popular varieties Russian early, Julian, Tason. The berries are universal in use, the plants are unpretentious in the care.Rose grapes are grown by both amateur gardeners and experienced farmers.
Best for different growing regions
For the coldest regions of Siberia, it is recommended to choose frost-resistant varieties that can withstand temperatures down to -40 ° C. These are the Amur breakthrough grapes, Lydia, Aleshenkin. With such varieties, gardeners can be sure that the shoots will not freeze, they will delight in the summer with juicy and large berries.
For milder frosts (up to -25 ° C), choose the grapes Ladies' fingers, Tukai, Cardinal. For the winter they are covered with thick burlap, the protection is removed in late April or early May. Such varieties are suitable for the Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk, Orenburg regions.
In central Russia and the Moscow region grapes Isabella, Pink Pearl, Taifi are grown. As a rule, the lands here are better suited for growing fruit crops. The grapes rarely get sick, and they are not troublesome to care for.
How to choose a frost-resistant grape variety
First of all, pay attention to the temperature regime. Each variety is designed for a specific temperature, it is recommended to ask the seller of the seedlings for information about this. For example, if Original grapes can withstand temperatures down to -22 ° C, then planting it in Khabarovsk, where the temperature drops to -40 ° C, does not make sense - the bush will freeze.
No less important are taste and commercial characteristics - shape, color, weight. Some varieties are universal in application and used for different purposes, while others are intended only for food or processing. Berries with a dense skin are used for storage, with a thin one eaten immediately after harvest.
Conclusion
Many frost-resistant grape varieties are not covering, that is, they do not need protection for the winter. However, experienced gardeners still recommend covering the bushes in late autumn, especially in cold regions.
Popular varieties are Isabella, Ladies fingers, Pink pearls, Hercules, Aligote. They can withstand frosts, sharp drops in temperature and wind. In order for the grapes to grow sweet and large, gardeners regularly feed the land and keep the garden clean. The harvested crop is used fresh or processed.