Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains
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Welcome to 2005! I hope
that everyone enjoyed a festive holiday and had a chance to rest and reflect on
the rewards and challenges of 2004. Stop a moment and give thanks for abundant
life, good fortune, and a bountiful harvest. Now back to work. Things to
think about in the vineyard in winter include weed control, pruning for crop and
canopy management, and dormant sprays for early disease suppression. This year
we can add mealybug trapping and plans for the new water regulations By now everyone should have
filed a NOI or obtained the waiver for the water control regs.
We will discuss more on this at the next meeting. In the meantime feel
free to consult the website for more information and updates. (www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast) IN THE VINEYARD January is a time to think
of weed control, pruning, and gophers. Because of the warm temperatures and
early heavy rains last fall the weeds are up and very active.
Get out and check the weed growth under the vines. Getting a handle on
this pest now will greatly reduce cost as the season progresses. There are several options
to herbicide use if you so choose. Smaller vineyards can control weeds the old
fashioned way with a hoe, especially right around the vine. In-row cultivators are
effective if it isn’t too wet, and propane flamers suppress growth.
Mulching suppresses weeds and there are machines that mow the aisle and
throw the cuttings under the rows as mulch. Chemical options include an
under row pass of Round-up and/or a pre-emergent herbicide during vine dormancy.
The aisles can be mowed. Consider
an Herbi or Weedseeker machine that reduces chemical use while still providing
maximum efficiency. Deal with weeds under the
vines any way you can. Bigger weeds under the vine row are a bigger headache
later. Be proactive under the vine row. If your vineyard has
experienced mildew or botrytis pressure in the past year consider putting on a
dormant spray of lime sulfur. Research does not support the efficacy of this
practice but there are many growers who are confident that this practice has
contributed to less fungal disease during the growing season. As usual, coverage
is key. Pruning is possibly my
favorite vineyard activity. Prune to encourage shoots that will grow in the
direction that your trellis design is built for. VSP shoots should grow up.
Remove shoots that grow laterally or down. Grapes love light and air.
Leave enough space between spurs for shoots and clusters to emerge and grow
without crowding each other out. Think also how many buds
you are leaving and how that may affect your projected crop load.
Were you able to ripen your fruit last year? You may need to adjust the
number of buds you leave for a top quality crop. Also, start considering
floor management for the season. The cleaner your environment, the more
sustainably you will be able to grow your grapes. Consider adopting a weather
monitoring system to help plan your spray program. Consider using compost to
enhance the biology of your soil and enhance the natural immunity of your vines.
Think about what kind of spray, nutrient and water management program you want
to use this year. Consult your sustainability
workbook to remind yourself of best growing practices that will aid you in
producing the premium fruit that the Santa Cruz Mountain appellation is famous
for. The Viticulture Association
of the Santa Cruz Mountains is looking forward to some special projects this
year. We are developing a logo, initiating a grape stomp, participating in water
regulation classes, and forging a more productive relationship with the Santa
Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association. Have a fantastic 2005!
We will see you in the vineyard. Regards, President, Viticulture
Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains (Vine Talk column, January
2005) |
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