How to properly store grapes

It is difficult to find a person who would not like grapes. But over the summer, it is not always possible to enjoy them to their fullest. Therefore, naturally, the question arises about its preservation. In order to enjoy the taste of your favorite berries in winter, you need to know how to store grapes correctly. Do not forget that grape variety plays an important role in the success of grape storage. This article will be devoted to the nuances of this process.

Varieties suitable for storage

Not all people know that not every grape variety is suitable for storage. Therefore, before starting this process, you need to familiarize yourself with the relevant information so that the result of your work is positive. Novice gardeners will definitely find something new for themselves.

Only medium and late ripening varieties are suitable for storing grapes, which are characterized by elastic pulp and thick skin.

Also, in addition to the variety, its ability to transport and store is important. The latter parameter is directly dependent on the ability of berries to retain moisture.

Late ripening varieties are best suited for storage. They are characterized by a loose bunch, dense and large berries, as well as a strong and thick skin.

Therefore, even if the variety has excellent taste, but it does not meet these requirements, then its berries cannot be preserved not only until spring, but even for the winter.

The method of agrotechnical care of the grape bush is also of great importance. Care, namely nutrition, the system of its management, the yield of the bush have a significant impact on the keeping quality of berries.

Therefore, for storing grapes for the winter, you need to know certain rules in order to increase the ability of the harvest to preserve at home.

Experienced gardeners claim that crops harvested from irrigated vineyards are stored much worse than those harvested from rainfed ones.

From this it follows that the more the bush is watered, the less time it will be able to preserve its berries.

In order for the fruits to be well stored, the grape bushes must be watered at the beginning of the growing season (in the first half), and watering must be finished 45 days before the start of the grape harvest.

It is possible to increase the storage capacity of a grape variety not only by watering in a certain period of time, but also by using the following measures:

• reduce the yield load on the bush. Overloaded bushes often crumble or bunches wither right on top of it. This does not contribute to the preservation of the fruit for a long time. They deteriorate much earlier. This rule applies to varieties that are characterized by large and massive clusters. It is better to harvest less, but it will retain its taste and nutrients for a long time;
• feeding grapes with organic or mineral fertilizers. This parameter has not the last meaning for the storage of grapes. Applying a large amount of fertilizer will negatively affect the preservation of the fruit. But feeding grape bushes with foliar and root phosphorus-potassium fertilizers will increase the sugar content in the berries. It is much easier to store such berries, and they preserve their nutritional and taste qualities for a longer time;
• protection against fungal diseases. Fungus infestation of the bunches will obviously not increase their storage capacity. Berries that are affected by powdery mildew, various types of rot (white, gray, etc.) definitely cannot be stored for a long time;
• weather conditions and timing of harvesting.Unripe berries cannot be stored in winter. Also, overripe bunches are not suitable for these purposes. The preservation period for such a crop will be minimal. Harvesting on rainy and cloudy days is not recommended. Harvesting should be started only when dry and sunny weather is established. Berries harvested in such weather conditions will be stored for a long time. Storing grapes that were harvested early in the morning or, conversely, late in the evening, will be short-lived and are not suitable for saving in winter;
• growing soil. In the specialized literature on the method of storing grapes, you can find information on how to preserve grapes for the winter when planting a bush on certain soils. The best, in this situation, are easily water and air permeable soils that warm well. These include low-humus, chestnut and sandy soils;
• bushes management system. Worst of all for storing grapes in winter are fruits that were grown on a stampless formation. An increase in the stem leads to an increase in the terms of savings. From the point of view of how to preserve grapes for the winter is best, the optimal stem height is from 40 to 70 cm.

Knowing and applying the above rules in practice, you can determine which varieties are suitable for winter storage. You can also improve the safety of the grapes by your own efforts.

The varieties that most well retain their positive qualities include: Karaburnu, Moldova, Autumn black, Moldavsky black, Criulyansky, Memory of Negrulya, Lyana, Original, Strashensky, Jubilee Zhuravlya, Nistru, Light, Tair, Talisman, Chocolate.

Storage methods for grapes

Many novice gardeners do not know how to preserve grapes for the winter. This is due not only to the lack of the necessary experience, but also to the presence of a large amount of conflicting information, which gives not entirely correct ways of storing grapes, especially at home.

There are many tips on how to preserve grapes for the winter correctly, but they all agree on where to start this process.

Preparing grapes for winter storage begins with harvesting. The bunch is cut with a pruner along with a piece of vine, holding it by the comb.

The bunches should not be left in the sun, just as it is not allowed to touch the berries themselves with bare fingers, otherwise you can wipe off the wax bloom from them.

Before storage, you need to carefully (using small scissors) remove rotten and dry, as well as damaged and unripe berries. Then the bunches are placed in a dark and ventilated room: attics, basements, shed, attic. The main thing is that the room temperature should be from 0 ° С to + 5 ... + 7 ° С, and the humidity should not exceed 80%.

In accordance with these requirements, the following storage methods are distinguished:

• hanging on a rope (wire, etc.). This method is suitable for attics and attics. The bunches can be tied with a rope and simply thrown over the stretched rope. The height of the ropes should be different so that the hanging clusters do not touch;

• storage of grapes on the ridges. This method is suitable for small crops. The bunch should be with a part of the vine 6 cm above it, and up to 20 cm below it. It is necessary to place the lower part of the vine in a jar of water, to which activated charcoal or aspirin has been added. The grapes will be fresh for two months, but may become less sugary;

• storage in trays or boxes. The bottom of the containers is lined with clean paper or cloth, and the bunches themselves are placed with the ridges upward in one layer. In this way, the fruits are stored for 1.5-2 months. But, with this method of storage, outbreaks of fungal infections are possible. To protect the crop from this, it must be checked periodically;

• in the fridge. This method is considered the most effective in terms of preserving the nutritional value and flavor characteristics of berries.This method involves placing the crop in a special refrigerator or refrigeration chamber with a controlled internal gas environment. The air temperature in the refrigerator should be + 2 ... -1 ° C, and the humidity should be 90-95%. With the power of the refrigerator and the observance of these parameters, you can achieve the preservation of berries from four to seven months. Bunches should be placed in the refrigerator with the comb up. Berries can only be frozen once, as re-frozen berries lose their flavor and nutritional value. It is best to freeze ripe dark-colored varieties. You need to defrost them in cold water, which will help avoid tearing the tissues inside the berry.

Video "Proper storage of grapes"

From this video you will learn the nuances of preserving grapes for a long period.

With proper care and proper storage of grapes, you can easily feast on your favorite berries, even in winter.