Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Young grapes like these need more supplemental water than they will when they
become mature. Mulches and cover crops help to retain water in the soil.
FERTILIZING
If your pre-planting soil test showed any major soil nutrient deficiencies, you will have
amended the soil before putting in the vineyard. You may need to do this again if future
soil tests show major deficiencies. As your grapes grow, you'll need to ensure they get the
nutrition they need on an ongoing basis. But unlike many other crops, grapevines are not
heavy feeders. In fact, too much fertilizer will encourage excessive leaf and shoot growth.
If you suspect that your vines have nutrient deficiencies, you can once again have a
soil sample performed by a laboratory. Another form of testing that is even more precise
for an established vineyard is a petiole test. A petiole is the stem that attaches the leaf to the
shoot or cane. It's not necessary to do a petiole test on a regular basis in a home vineyard,
but it can help you identify specific nutrient deficiencies.
Petiole analysis is best done after bloom, but a testing service in your area will advise
you of the precise timing based on common deficiencies in your region. If you have ob-
served symptoms in some plants and not others, collect samples from both healthy and af-
