Is there a right time for planting vines?

30 July, 2008

 

 

Early planting (July-September)

If land has been prepared during Autumn or early Winter, vines can be planted during the Winter or early Spring season.

The benefits of early planting include:

• Vines have time to adapt to the new soil and environment prior to spring
• Beneficial micro-organisms such as Mycorrhizae have more time to colonise the vine root systems prior to spring growth
• Vines are less likely to dehydrate during planting
• More even distribution of roots both vertically and radially. During the Winter period the soil will contain greater moisture content. During drier months, such as the latter part of the year, the root system tends to concentrate growth within the first 30cm layer and towards the drippers
• Plenty of time to lay irrigation post planting
• Vines have an entire growing season to establish
• Roots can be well established before the dry Summer winds

 

 Aspects to consider when planting early:

• Frost protection will need to be in place in frost-prone areas
• Soil will need to be prepared in Autumn or early Winter before the soil becomes too moist as tilling very wet soil can damage the soil structure
•  Wet areas will need to have good drainage and compacted soils will need to be ripped to improve aeration of the soil (ensure no fissures are present after ripping). Water-logged soils have insufficient oxygen for good root growth and provide perfect conditions for pathogens such as Cylindrocarpon, Phytophthora and Pythium to grow.
• If the land is low lying or the soils are heavy clays, it may not be feasible to plant during Winter or early Spring. Tilling or driving heavy machinery over these types of soils will damage the soil structure. This can be partly overcome by tilling and preparing the block in Autumn if the land in question is available in time.

 

 Late planting (November- December)

Often land is purchased during the winter months, which does not allow vines to be planted early. For this reason, many vineyards can be successfully planted during mid- to late-Spring. Although some vines are planted as late as December, we would recommend planting to be undertaken earlier than this as the vines will have little time to establish before the dry Summer months and a greater chance of vine losses.

 

The benefits of later planting include:

• Enables sufficient time for block and soil preparation in Spring if the land is not available during the previous autumn or winter
• Less chance of frost damage to young vines in blocks where frost protection has not been installed
• Allows heavy soils or blocks prone to water-logging to dry out after Winter
• Better accessibility for machinery and less damage to soil structure during tilling when soils have had time to dry out after Winter

 

Aspects to consider when planting later in Spring or early Summer:

• Vines have a reduced growing season, and have therefore missed valuable Spring months to establish roots and young shoots
• If vines miss the spring rains, then root growth will tend to concentrate around the drippers. Make sure that the irrigation protocols allow water to seep into lower horizons i.e. 30-60cm to promote downward root growth
• Tilling soil that is too dry can damage the soil structure
• Soil that is very dry will absorb moisture from freshly planted vines, a phenomenon known as reverse osmosis. These plants will dry out and die in a very short period of time
• Periods of strong winds can dry out dormant vines. Grow tubes or milk cartons, when placed early over the vines will provide protection
• Timely irrigation is vital and must be implemented when planting later in the season
• Ensure that the vines do not dry out prior to planting. Keep the vines covered and moist at all times
• Rehydrate the plants in water prior to planting by soaking the roots for at least three hours in cool water

 

The use of Mycorrhizae products combined with Trichoderma and other beneficial fungi and bacteria during planting has been shown to improve vine establishment. However, the addition of green manure or raw compost/mulch directly around the roots during planting may cause root-rotting or collar-rot disorders.

 

Does HWT have an effect on planting times?

Several vineyard trials have been set up to establish suitable planting times for HWT vines. Viognier vines on Schwarzman rootstock were given HWT and planted at the Bell vineyard in Gisborne at three different times, from early- September to mid- October, 2007. All 960 vines established successfully in the vineyard. Although budburst was slightly delayed in HWT vines, the growth was very consistent after the first year (refer to Fig 1.0).

Fig. 1.0 HWT Viognier vines at Bell vineyard during the first year of establishment, March 2008

 

In a second trial, Sauvignon Blanc vines grafted on Schwarzman, 3309, SO4 and 101-14 were HWT and planted in November in the Mulcaster block at Ngatarawa Wines, Hawkes Bay (refer to Fig. 2.0). Only three out of a total of 720 vines failed to establish. This indicates that HWT vines can be planted up until at least early November without significant losses. However, to optimise survival, Corbans recommends that vines are planted in early- to mid-Spring and soaked in cool water for at least three hours prior to planting.

 

      

Fig. 2.0 HWT vines in the Mulcaster block in Hawkes Bay (March, 2008)

 

Is there an optimum time for planting grapevines?

Our experience in vineyard establishment clearly confirms that earlier plantings have the benefit of a longer growing season enabling the development of an optimum root system and strong top growth. It is these elements that that will form the structural backbone of the vine. This is the most important aspect in the early development of a strong and healthy vine.

 

Our Viticulture and Diagnostic consultants see fewer problems in young vines that have been planted early in the season; the main problems arising in vines that are planted later in the season and therefore have not had the same time to develop into a physically strong vine before the hot and dry Summer months. As with all vineyard management practices timely completion of tasks can save time and money in the long run.

So let’s get it right from the beginning. It will pay dividends in the long run.