Vineyard floor management is important management practice that must take into consideration the age of vine, vineyard design, soil type, and growing region.
Weed Management
Weed Management starts before
vineyard establishment with the goal of reducing invasive or perennial weeds that will compete with young vines. Once grapevines are planted, weed control is necessary to ensure that young vines can grow without competition for water and nutrients. Once vines are established, continued weed control is not only aesthetically appealing but contributes to the overall health of the vine. Unmanaged weeds have the potential to reduce crop yield, create favorable environments for pests, and reduce worker efficiency.A common vineyard weed management practice is to utilize a three foot wide (1.5 ft on each side of vine) grass/weed free strip under vine with perennial grass grown in row middle that prevents soil erosion and provides area for equipment movement during wet weather. An herbicide program is an effective way to maintain this weed-free strip. You can find herbicide timing and rate recommendations in the
Southeast Regional Bunch Grape Integrated Management Guide.
Under Trellis Cover Crops
Planting
under trellis cover crops in your vineyard is a suitable alternative to the weed-free strip that can provide some vigor reduction and help reduce the amount of annual herbicide applications in the vineyard. Correctly implemented under trellis cover crops have the potential to reduce erosion, increase water infiltration, and positively affect soil health and vineyard aesthetics.
Additional Resources
