When and how to feed the grapes?

Grapes are considered an unpretentious plant, however, for proper growth and a good harvest, it is necessary to feed grape seedlings in the early stages of its growth so that the berries are juicy and tasty in the future.

Types of fertilizers

In order for the grapes to be fed correctly, you need to know what elements the plant needs the most. Which fertilizers should be applied under the root, and which should be used to spray the leaves.

Nitrogen fertilizers for grapes

Nitrogen helps leaves and shoots grow quickly and without problems. Most fertilizers containing nitrogen are applied in the spring, when the vegetation process is just beginning. It should be noted that in August and autumn it is impossible to introduce substances containing nitrogen. This can interfere with the maturation of the wood of the plant.

The most popular nitrogen-based fertilizers are:

  • Urea. 46% pure nitrogen. Carbamide is used as both foliar and root dressing of grapes. Due to the large amount of nitrogen in the composition, it can only be applied a few years after planting. In order not to harm the plant, you need to dilute up to fifty grams of fertilizer per liter of water and apply it to the soil.
  • Ammonium nitrate. It is best to use the substance during flowering. Fertilizing grapes while pouring berries is not recommended. This may affect the quality of the berries. Ammonium nitrate is best sprinkled on slightly moist soil around the bush.

Potash fertilizers for grapes

Potassium is another important trace element that is necessary for the full development of the plant. It accelerates the growth and ripening of the berries of the plant. Nutrients made up of potassium are great as a top dressing for grapes in the fall, as such fertilizers prepare the plant well for the cold.

Grapes are one of those crops that consume the largest amount of potassium from the soil, so you can feed the soil annually.

  • potassium sulfate. For good results, it is best to use this foliar product in the final growth phase. The average amount of substance that will be needed is 20 grams per 10 liters of water; superphosphate in the amount of 40 grams must be added to the bucket. It neutralizes acidity.
  • Potassium chloride. Contains 50% to 60% potassium. It is best to add lime to such a fertilizer to neutralize the acidity. Potassium chloride can be used in tandem with any trace elements and nutrient raw materials, except for urea.

Phosphate fertilizers for grapes

Phosphorus is one of the three most essential components for garden crops. It is an excellent solution for feeding young grapes in the initial stages of growth and flowering. Thanks to the phosphorus base, flowers and berries develop much faster and better.

  • Superphosphate. Contains up to 20% phosphorus in its composition and gypsum. Suitable for all types of soil, however, acidic soils must first be limed or lime must be added to the fertilizer solution. Superphosphate should be applied after the start of flowering. This will help the fruits develop better during the ripening period.
  • Double superphosphate. It consists of 50% phosphoric acid, but does not contain gypsum. It is used in the same way as simple superphosphate.

Complex and complex fertilizers

Complex nutrients are made up of two or more elements.

  • Azofoska. It is a compound of three main macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is found in two forms - dry and dissolved. The first must be brought under the bush. The amount of substance is up to sixty grams per plant. You can use it only in the warm season. The liquid form consists of two tablespoons of azophoska, diluted in one bucket of water, it is necessary to pour the solution under the root.
  • Bischofite. Compound fertilizer, which includes magnesium, boron, iodine and bromine. In total, more than ten components. Used for foliar feeding of grapes. For ten liters of water, it is necessary to dissolve in 150 milliliters of bishal, but in order not to damage the plant, the dosage can be almost halved. This remedy is used as a top dressing of grapes with boron. In terms of quantity, this element in the composition of bischofite ranks second, magnesium is in the first place.

Application of organic fertilizers

Top dressing of grapes ash- perfect solution. It is best to use only wood. The ash after burning coal is not used as fertilizer at all, it contains toxins that are harmful to plants.

The ash of the tree has a high amount of micronutrients beneficial to the plant. For example, magnesium, boron, potassium and phosphorus. Can be used as a soil acidity regulator.

Other organic fertilizer - bird droppings. It helps to almost double the fruitfulness and speed up the ripening process of berries for several weeks.

To understand how to feed the grapes with chicken manure, you need to remember an important rule: before applying such a fertilizer, you need to prepare a special nutrient solution for the plant. Fresh manure can irritate the soil and shoots.

Approximately 1 kilogram of litter is needed for 20 liters of water; the solution must be infused for two weeks. Fertilizer should be applied at a short distance from the bush in small portions into holes, up to 35 centimeters deep. Two buckets are enough to fully fertilize the plant.

Folk remedies for fertilizing grapes

One of the most effective remedies is yeast nutrition. The recipe is quite simple:

  1. One gram of dry baker's yeast must be dissolved in one liter of slightly warmed water, add a teaspoon of sugar, mix thoroughly until completely dissolved. The mixture should be infused for a couple of hours. Before fertilizing plants, dilute one liter of the prepared solution with five liters of clean water.
  2. Dilute fifty grams of live yeast in a liter of slightly warmed water, let it brew a little. Before watering, it is also necessary to dilute the fertilizer with five liters of water.

Microfertilizers

In addition to the three main elements in the composition of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, for full growth and good yields, grapes also need other trace elements: boron, magnesium, zinc and others.

Microfertilizers are one of the most popular top dressings. There are a huge number of them. For example, potassium magnesia, which contains 28% potassium, 18% magnesium and about 16% sulfur.

Micronutrient fertilizers also include copper, which is used for foliar feeding.

One gram of the substance is enough to spray one bush. It must be applied no more than once every four years.

Scheme of root dressing of grapes

To properly fertilize, you need to know the dosage and timing. It is better to contribute less than to randomly fill in useless, and sometimes harmful substances.

Spring feeding of grapes is considered the most important stage. It helps the bushes recover from frost and stimulates fruitfulness.

Feeding methods

Separate root and foliar top dressing. They differ in the way they are introduced. In the first case, nutrients must be poured or placed under a bush for the best effect. The second can be considered an auxiliary stage. Foliar feeding helps the plant develop properly, stimulate the growth of shoots and ovaries, and increase productivity.

Foliar top dressing

If the grapes are planted in soil that is saturated with microelements, then for the first three years it is not necessary to fertilize it, since the plant will feed on substances from the soil. Foliar feeding contributes to the development and improvement of productivity. The first time the leaves should be processed before flowering, the second time after flowering, the third - during the maturation of brushes. Foliar feeding of grapes is carried out regardless of the amount and type of fertilizers that are applied to the root system of the plant.

To know exactly how to feed the grapes, you need to proceed from the type of soil and the age of the plant. The most important elements are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Almost all fertilizers contain them. Boron, magnesium, zinc and iodine are also needed for full growth. Thanks to the ability to properly and timely feed the grapes, you can get juicy and tasty fruits.