Vines are quite high-maintenance plants that require a certain amount of attention to grow healthily. The roots grow very deep, which means they can easily supply themselves with nutrients. Nevertheless, there are phases in which it is advantageous to help a little to guarantee a good harvest. The right fertilizer is particularly important for flower and fruit formation in spring. In others, you don't need to pay much attention to fertilizing. We summarize the most important things so that you know exactly how, when and with what to fertilize your vines.
Fertilizer for Vines – These nutrients are particularly important
- Nitrogen in grapevine fertilizer ensures rapid growth. Ideally, you use an organic source so as not to affect the natural fungi in the soil that ensure good nutrient absorption by the plant.
- Zinc in fertilizer for grapes guarantees the proper functioning of the plants' natural processes. To avoid stunted plant parts and a resulting weaker harvest, supply the vines with this mineral in spring and shortly before and during flowering.
- Potassium prevents the plant from weakening. If the shoots grow slower than usual or if you notice sunburn on the leaves that should actually be used to the sun's rays, this is probably due to a deficiency. Yellow parts are also a sign of this. Potassium is particularly needed in autumn, but not only. A dose is also necessary in late spring or early summer at the latest, as well as during grape formation.
We have a few typical symptoms and illnesseslisted here.
Fertilizing grape vines: less is more!
Fertilizing grape vines – yes or no?
As already mentioned, vines usually do not have a high need for additional nutrients. Since it is important not to overdo fertilizing nor to allow a deficiency, it is advisable to analyze it first. This way you can be sure that you only give the plants what they really need.
The first year of planting the vines
What's practical is that you don't need to fertilize any more immediately after planting your vines. What is the reason for this? Isn't it more logical that the plant needs nutrients, especially in the early stages, in order to be able to grow well and get used to the new location straight away?
That may sound more logical, but in fact it doesn't need any additional fertilizer in the first year. What is already in the soil is enough for the plant as it is only now developing its roots. For this it requires small amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
Winter hardiness is also important in this first year of planting. The vines are very hardy in themselves, but they are even more sensitive as young plants. Providing it with additional fertilizer with more nitrogen would cause it to focus its growth on the above-ground parts of the plant rather than on stronger root systems that can withstand the cold winter.
Once you have planted the new vines, your work is done and you can more or less sit back.
Vines fertilize from the second year onwards to produce flowers and fruit
- Fertilize vines in spring
Fertilizer for grape vines is applied for the first time early in the second year. The right time for this is when the rest phase is over. You can fertilize grape vines as early as January or February, but for the first time in April at the latest.
You can also cut the vine plant in February.Find out here, How.
What do you fertilize with in spring?
A complete fertilizer immediately provides the plant with everything it needs. The nitrogen content is particularly important because it promotes the growth of shoots, leaves and other above-ground parts of plants. This also promotes flower and fruit formation - perfect for healthy, juicy grapes.
Then you can apply organic fertilizer (work it into the soil). If you want to fertilize grape vines organically, not only compost is very suitable, but also livestock manure (e.g. horse manure) or a manure made from any plants (nettles are very popular, for example) as well as coffee grounds (as an additive, not as the sole fertilizer). Compost and manure have the additional advantage that by loosening the soil they also ensure a better oxygen supply and heat is generated in the soil when it decomposes. Your wine benefits from all of this.
Would you like to fertilize the vines with nettle manure?find out herehow to make them.
This fertilizer application should provide the vine with sufficient supplies until autumn. However, some people also recommend applying fertilizer every two weeks during the growth phase. In the end, it depends on what you fertilized with: cattle manure and horn shavings work more slowly than compost and horn meal or manure, for example, so you don't have to fertilize as often.
A cut in summer is good for the plant. Learn morein this article.
- Fertilize grape vines in the fall
The second time you apply grape vine fertilizer is in September, which will provide the vine plants with plenty of nutrients to get them through the cold winter.
Which fertilizer for grape vines in autumn?
Instead of being nitrogen-based, the fertilizer is now better enriched with more potassium. Why?
Potassium promotes the maturation of the woody parts of plants, i.e. those that do not dry out in autumn but are intended to survive the winter. This is important so that they are better protected from frost. Algae lime, but also rock dust, is very popular for autumn fertilization.
In addition to fertilizer, you can also mulch. Although this is usually only necessary in colder areas, it doesn't hurt to be on the safe side.
