Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
It is possible to plant any time during the growing season, but I recommend planting
in early spring. This gives the plants plenty of time to establish their root systems over the
summer. Because you are planting an organic vineyard, it's best to begin preparations a full
year beforehand (assuming you don't already have a well-prepared, weed-free site). This
will ensure that your soil is in optimum condition and that all perennial weeds have been
killed. The work done in advance will pay off in the long term.
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Winter/spring one year before planting
- Remove trees and shrubs, if needed.
- Remove lawn grass, if needed.
- Start to control perennial weeds.
- Plan vineyard layout.
- Check with the nursery and, if necessary, order vines now for planting the following
spring.
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Spring/summer before planting
- Do soil tests.
- When soil is dry, till or disc soil, removing rocks and stumps.
- Address any drainage issues.
- If necessary, solarize to remove annual weeds (four to six weeks).
- Continue tilling or discing to remove weeds.
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Fall before planting
- Disc or till in amendments if indicated by the soil test.
- If vines were not ordered in spring, order them now.
- Build deer fence, if needed.
- Start building irrigation system: main lines, valves, and risers.
- Seed cover crop to improve soil and suppress weeds.
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Early spring
- Mow or disc in cover crop.
- If soil is hard, soak it well at the post positions the day before installing the trellis.
- Install trellis: end posts, wires, mid-posts.
- Install drip irrigation lines and emitters; connect to risers and ensure irrigation sys-
tem is working.
- Install grape stakes.
- After all danger of frost has passed, plant grapes and protect with grow tubes.
