What is the best month to plant grapes?

SummaryThe season for planting grapes differs from region to region. In most regions, it is better to plant grapes about half a month before spring bud break, as the survival rate is high and the grape quality is good; in a few regions, such as the Huang-Huai region, planting grapes after mid-March is more suitable, while in the Beijing-Tianjin region, planting in early April is better.

I. Grape planting season

1. In the past, most people chose to plant grapes in autumn, and few planted them in spring, but in recent years research and findings have shown that spring planting of grapes works much better than autumn planting.

2. Where conditions for grape planting can be met, spring planting can be chosen; at this time the ground temperature rises, and after the grape seedlings are transplanted, their seeds partially sprout and the roots gradually regain vitality, so water and nutrient consumption is reduced.

3. After about half a month, the roots have absorptive capacity, the parts above ground sprout, and the plant can gradually regrow, so the above-ground and below-ground parts can remain coordinated.

4. Once the grapes develop a root crown, planting the vines about half a month before spring bud break gives a high survival rate.

5. In the central region it is different: planting grapevines about 15 days into late autumn means they can grow directly after the new year without waiting to recover, and the survival rate is also very high.

II. Points to note when planting grapes

1. Climate

(1) In temperate regions at 40-55 degrees north and south latitude, where the altitude often reaches between 400-600 m, conditions are very suitable for grape growth.

(2) Grapes have strict temperature requirements; if the temperature is slightly low, the grapes cannot ripen, and if the temperature is high, the grapes tend to ripen too quickly, causing the wine to lose its taste.

(3) Grapes are greatly affected each year by that year's climate, so the wine sold also commands a high price.

2. Soil

(1) Soil also plays an important role for grapes; the poorer the land, the more suitable it is for growing grapes.

(2) Of course, the soil's moisture, minerals and pH level all have a certain effect on the grape's quality and color. The better the grape quality, the purer the wine made from it.

3. Sunlight

(1) Sunlight drives photosynthesis in grape growth, and at harvest time it is reflected in the grapes' ripeness; grape yield and quality are mostly affected by this.

(2) Some special grapes must receive direct sunlight to color evenly as normal.

(3) Grapes grown with sufficient light naturally produce robust fruit with high ripeness. Diffused light gives fuller coloration.

(4) Note, however, that excessive light is also a problem: in summer, when the midday temperature reaches its highest under strong sunlight, grapes are prone to sunburn.

4. Temperature

(1) Grapes are a warm-temperate crop; without enough heat they cannot reach full yield, and temperature affects grape growth and fruiting.

(2) Only an active accumulated temperature with a monthly average of 10 degrees or more can satisfy the grape's growth cycle, and different varieties show greatly differing responses.

(3) Low temperatures can also harm grapes; low-temperature damage is a common problem in grape growing, and for this reason most regions are limited in grape growth and development.

(4) Low-temperature damage comes from winter, while the same low-temperature damage in spring is caused by late frost: at zero degrees the flower clusters freeze, and at minus one degree the seedlings and tender leaves begin to be damaged.

5. Water

(1) Water comes from seasonal precipitation and is likewise a climatic factor that determines grape varieties. Seasonal changes in precipitation occur because of changes in climate type.

(2) Water affects the sugar content of grapes in two ways: first, the grapes must be fully moistened when they first begin to sprout in spring; second, by the ripening stage the water must be drawn off to keep them dry, avoiding the situation where the grapes have low sugar content and no flavor.