Seasonal Primer for Grape Production
Edith Byrne, Association Program Educator I
Lake Erie Regional Grape Program
March 14, 2013
Winter - What to be doing:
- Prune (winter hardy varieties first, followed by less hardy varieties in late winter/early spring)
Watch Pruning Concords Video: http://youtu.be/IB8klKkn4_s
Watch Pruning Wine Grapes Video: http://youtu.be/r6kRGrir39Q - Renewals - during pruning, mark vines that need replaced, plant layers
- Repair equipment
Watch: Calibration of Airblast Sprayers for Vineyards. Part 1 Selecting and Changing Nozzles. US version by Andrew Landers
Calibration of Airblast Sprayers for Vineyards. Part 2 Measuring Liquid Flow. US version by Andrew Landers
Visit Andrew Landers web page: http://entomology.cornell.edu/cals/entomology/people/andrew-landers.cfm - Purchase fertilizers (after obtaining soil and/or petiole test recommendations)
- Purchase herbicides, pesticides
Spring - What to be doing:
- Finish up pruning
Watch Pruning Concords Video: http://youtu.be/IB8klKkn4_s
Watch Pruning Wine Grapes Video: http://youtu.be/r6kRGrir39Q - Weed management - pre-emergent program
- Scouting for pests - e.g., banded grape bug (Watch Banded Grape Bug Video), Climbing cutworm, grape flea beetle (Steely beetle), Phomopsis
Watch Scouting Video - Prepare equipment - calibrate sprayers before each use, which will begin as early as mid- to late spring
- EICHHORN PHENOLOGY SCALE
3" shoot growth - spray for phomopsis
5" shoot growth - spray for ?
10" shoot growth - phomopsis, black rot spray? Include something for powdery mildew?
- Scout for pests (VIEW YouTube LERGPvids): Watch Scouting Video above
- Specific pests for which you'll need to spray
- Prepare for bloom
BLOOM - Petiole testing - submit ASAP for recommendations on N needs for soil applications
Watch Petiole Gathering Video
- Roots - add nitrogen to the soil by mid-June; preferably 2 weeks prior to bloom (up to 25 lbs actual N) and 2 weeks post bloom (up to 25 lbs actual N)
- Leaves and fruiting zone - scout and spray for:
Powdery mildew | Downy mildew | Phomopsis | Black Rot
- Prepare harvest equipment/Make harvesting arrangements (if you pay someone to pick for you)
- Clean and prep bins and lids
- Soil testing - usually a good time to do so after harvest and before the ground freezes to prepare for next year's fertilizer needs
Watch Soil Testing Video
Upcoming Events
2026 LERGP Winter Grape Grower Conference
March 19, 2026 : 2026 LERGP Annual Winter Grape Grower Conference
Fredonia, NY
2026 Winter Grower Conference
2026 NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course
April 8, 2026 : NYSDEC How to Get Certified Training Course and Exam Registration
Portland, NY
NYSDEC training course in preparation to take the pesticide applicator exam
LERGP Coffee Pot Meeting #1 -Sprayer Calibration
May 6, 2026 : LERGP Coffee Pot Meeting- Sprayer Calibration
Portland, NY
Come spend a few hours learning how to properly calibrate your sprayer and other considerations that should be taken into account for an effective spray season.
Announcements
Updated Grants & Programs Available February 2026
Andrew Holden, LERGP, Penn State Business Management Educator, has updated this resource to show all grants and programs that are or will soon become available. Check out the handout here.LERGP Podcasts- check them out!
LERGP POD CASTS
Lake Erie Regional Grape Program - Cornell Cooperative ExtensionYour Trusted Source for Research-Based Knowledge
