grapegrowers question: Vine fertilization protocol

I base my program on soil and petiole sample analysis and go by their (Penn State) recommendations

And when do you fertilize, Paul? Is it annual, bi-annual, or more often? Do you apply through your drip, direct to soil, foliar spray, or some combination?

I believe it is best to fertilize in early fall since the roots are still growing even though there is no top growth. I apply direct to soil. I am not an expert. It is best to get with your county ag office.

Don't fertilize in the fall. You may encourage late growth or delayed dormancy which greatly increases the risk of freeze damage. Most recommendations are for an early spring (March - April) application with maybe subsequent applications if needed to increase vine vigor, but never after early July. Check with your local extension service and if they can't provide a good answer, there are recommendations available online.

I am indeed in touch with my county ag department, as well as a number of commercial vineyards - but I'm very interested in the diversity of opinions & practices on this topic - as evidenced by the reply you got to your "best in the early fall" post.

Thanks for the input.

I should have said late fall - after leaf fall and dormancy starts. The roots are still growing then but the transport is not in an upward direction.

Why do you have to keep the chips away from the trunks? Possibility of mold from the wood chips moving to the vines?

Paul

Good question. You probably don't. It's what I've read and there are other reasons besides rot like animals but I've never experienced them. What I do is keep it away and use the mulch just for sealing the water in around the vine and for nutrients as the chips break down. It's worked for me extremely well but I wouldn't sweat it if the chip touched the vine ;). This isn't an exact science, at least not the way I do it :).

Bob

If you have voles in your area, and they're pretty common, I've been told that you can get some vine damage from them. They normally work under litter or mulch and if you keep it away from the vine, damage is less. At least that's what they say in Tennessee/Alabama.

Dick

Paul & Dick,

I lost quite a few maple saplings to voles girdling them under leaves, etc overwinter. Trees as large as 3" and more in diam.

The vines are mulched with an inch or two of driveway gravel on top of weedproof fabric, in a strip about 3 feet wide. It was a bit of work doing nine rows, but it makes it sooooo much easier to mow under the downward hanging canes. I think it provides an inhospitable environment for rodents too, as I've never seen any sign of them under it.

BTW, I fertilize each spring with fireplace ashes, as I have acid soil.

Mike

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