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 What's Your Spray Program Zoom Meeting
December 3, 2025 : LERGP 2026 What is Your Spray Program?
2026 LERGP ZOOM Spray Program with NYSDEC and PDA pesticide credits
2026 LERGP Winter Grape Grower Conference
March 19, 2026 : 2026 LERGP Annual Winter Grape Grower Conference
Fredonia, NY
2026 Winter Grower Conference
Announcements
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