How to Prepare the Grapevines for Winter
Where winter temperatures annually drop to minus 5 degrees F, choose only winter-hardy grapes for the home vineyard. Average low temperatures of 0 degrees F are more easily tolerated. Since occasional bad winters do drop minimum temperatures below the normal range, give vulnerable grapevines extra care in their dormant season. Cold weather isn't the only threat, since winter drought could also stress the vines. Warm "false springs" during late winter could bring vines out of dormancy early, resulting in serious winter kill of fruiting canes when the winter chill returns.
Begin preparing new grapevines for winter by planting early. Planting vines in late winter gives root systems extra time to adjust. Late plantings produce new growth too late in the year to completely harden off for winter survival.
- Where winter temperatures annually drop to minus 5 degrees F, choose only winter-hardy grapes for the home vineyard.
- Since occasional bad winters do drop minimum temperatures below the normal range, give vulnerable grapevines extra care in their dormant season.
Prevent loss of grafted vines by burying the graft junction of the grape. Severe cold below minus 15 degrees F could kill vines back to the ground. Mounding dirt around the graft junction ensures that the graft and the rootstock survive. Pull the dirt back in spring before bud break.
Cut back on irrigation to grapevines in late August to trigger hardening off. During drought conditions recharge the soil in the vineyard with one thorough watering after the first frost, when vines are dormant.
Paint the trunks of grapevines with white latex paint in the early fall. White paint reflects winter sunlight and prevents grapes from breaking dormancy on warm winter days.
- Prevent loss of grafted vines by burying the graft junction of the grape.
- Cut back on irrigation to grapevines in late August to trigger hardening off.
Postpone pruning until late winter. Prune out winter-killed wood before choosing which fruiting canes to keep and which to thin. Do only the rough work--cutting back large branch canes--and save thinning and trimming the fruiting canes until all danger of winter kill has passed.
Tip
Where possible, locate grapevines on hillsides and south-facing slopes to provide extra warmth. Slopes also eliminate frost pocket problems during variable spring weather.
Pulling the vines from their trellises and burying them entirely under 6 inches of dirt gives grapes good protection from winter damage. Temporary burial won't be practical for more than a few vines.
Young vines gain hardiness if trained to the north side of their support stakes. The added shade prevents the vines from waking too early in the spring.
Warning
Use soil, not mulch, to protect graft junctions during severe cold weather. Mounds of mulch give sheltering rodents an opportunity to chew the vines.
Choose cold-hardy varieties for climate zones where severe cold is common. Check with local nurseries and successful local growers to find out which types fare best in your area.
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Tips
- Where possible, locate grapevines on hillsides and south-facing slopes to provide extra warmth. Slopes also eliminate frost pocket problems during variable spring weather.
- Pulling the vines from their trellises and burying them entirely under 6 inches of dirt gives grapes good protection from winter damage. Temporary burial won't be practical for more than a few vines.
- Young vines gain hardiness if trained to the north side of their support stakes. The added shade prevents the vines from waking too early in the spring.
Warnings
- Use soil, not mulch, to protect graft junctions during severe cold weather. Mounds of mulch give sheltering rodents an opportunity to chew the vines.
- Choose cold-hardy varieties for climate zones where severe cold is common. Check with local nurseries and successful local growers to find out which types fare best in your area.
Writer Bio
James Young began writing in 1969 as a military journalist combat correspondent in Vietnam. Young's articles have been published in "Tai Chi Magazine," "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," Sonar 4 ezine, "Stars & Stripes" and "Fine Woodworking." He has worked as a foundryman, woodturner, electronics technician, herb farmer and woodcarver. Young graduated from North Seattle Community College with an associate degree in applied science and electronic technology.
