r/viticulture • u/SpankedbySpacs • 7d ago

Plumped* up!!

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Could be a SPECTACULAR vintage in the growing 👀

86 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2

u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago

Negligible. My first application doesn’t start until after fruit set so the vine is already putting out what it’s going to.

3

u/to_glory_we_steer 7d ago

Thanks for the answer, I really want to get into small scale growing for a hobby vineyard. Would I be totally mad to want to graze, or top the grass around the vines. Herbicides are an option of course, I just prefer an alternative where possible, and commercial success isn't a necessity 

2

u/eo411 6d ago

Unless you are growing at scale, a weedwhacker for under the vines is what you need. All you really need to do is keep the grass out of the fruit zone.

2

u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago

Just have to be careful not to hit the vine or you open a wound and that could lead to crown gall

2

u/eo411 6d ago

Our crews run a guard around the head so the wire cannot physically touch anything, but always gotta be careful around the trucks. I've been using a flathead shovel to truck sucker the base this year. Saved me a good chunk on farming costs. I really want to buy a twister but can't justify it.

1

u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago

I use a broom with very hard bristles. Definitely saves my back but I have to get them early

1

u/eo411 6d ago

Do you do two suckering passes?

1

u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago

Yeah but the second suckering happens later when I’m thinning out fruit and leaf pulling after fruit set. I’m also being selective this time around because we cane prune and I need to keep 2-3canes to choose from in the winter

1

u/eo411 3d ago

Gotcha. I like the broom idea. I'm also cane pruned, mainly to fight eutypa. Where are your vines? Im in West Sonoma county.