In the work of Fr. Oltarzewski from 1886, published in Ogrodnik Polski (The Polish Gardener), we came across a fascinating description of an old vineyard in Budziska in the Lukow district (about 30 km from us). The local gardener, Stanislaw Witkowski, who had previously trained under the French gardener Rende in Rusinow, cultivated grapevines in an unusual but extremely inspiring way:

"Wines of 200 bushes of various varieties, which are stretched on 7 reed fences, each 30 fathoms in length."
– Fr. Oltarzewski, Ogrodnik Polski, 1886
Source: zastawie-netau.net/sadownictwo

Reed fences as supports for grapevines? Why not! They not only served as a structure for training the shoots, but also – as it turns out – could serve a protective function: reducing nighttime cooling, shielding from wind, and creating a favorable microclimate.

Inspired by this method, we decided to create an experimental row of grapevines trained on a reed framework. It will be a demonstration form – referencing the old horticultural traditions of the region, while also being a practical test of how such a structure performs in our climate, including with regard to frosts.

Here are two possible variants of training grapevines on a reed fence that we are considering:

Double-sided training

Single-sided training

AI visualization

If you want to read the original text by Fr. Oltarzewski from 1886, in which he described the gardener Witkowski and his reed fences in Budziska, you can find it in the digital archive:

"Ogrodnik Polski", volume 8 (1886) – UMCS Digital Library

It is a valuable source of knowledge about old fruit-growing and horticultural methods from the Lublin and Podlasie regions – surprisingly relevant even today.

Nowadays, reed mats are mainly used to screen fences or balconies, but we want to test their old function – as a natural support and barrier protecting grapevines. Will it help with late frosts? Will it create a warmer microclimate? Is it worth going back to this technology from 140 years ago?

We'll see. And we'll let you know.