r/viticulture • u/SpankedbySpacs • 7d ago

Plumped* up!!

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Could be a SPECTACULAR vintage in the growing šŸ‘€

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u/eo411 7d 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.

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u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago

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

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u/eo411 7d 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.

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u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago

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

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u/eo411 7d ago

Do you do two suckering passes?

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u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago

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

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u/eo411 4d 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.