Cold climate vineyard management is a unique topic, but by following the core fundamentals, you can help your vines to avoid cold damage and use the best recovery practices so vines can thrive for years to come. Below, we offer brief descriptions of how to identify cold damage, strategies for recovery, and knowing when to replant a block from scratch.
How to Identify Cold Damage In Your Vineyard
Growers can identify cold damage in their vineyards by performing systematic dormant bud sampling to assess primary bud survival rates. Damaged buds will oxidize and turn brown after warming indoors for 48 hours. It is recommended to check for deep cracks or sap flow on trunks in the spring, which are indicators of trunk damage. By examining sucker growth and conducting thorough visual inspections, growers can determine the extent of cold damage and make informed decisions on pruning and vine management to promote recovery and renewal.
Strategies For Recovery
Strategies for recovering vineyards after severe freeze events include assessing cane and trunk damage and training new growth from suckers while maintaining old trunks for support. Pruning methods vary, from zero pruning (that’s extreme) to aggressive spur pruning, depending on the extent of damage. Delaying pruning until spring can help in assessing vine viability. Growers should focus on reestablishing healthy trunks and may leave multiple canes or employ a combination of old and new trunks. In cases of severe damage, marking less promising vines for removal can aid in decision-making. Using geotextiles for winter protection and UV light for mildew control are also some interesting practices discussed briefly in the podcast.
Knowing When to Replant a Block
Deciding whether to keep or replant a vineyard block is a challenging decision that depends on several factors. If vine survival falls below 75%, the block might no longer be profitable, as only the last 25% typically contributes to profit. Assess the extent of cold damage, particularly trunk and bud death, and consider the resilience of vinifera versus hybrid grape varieties. Evaluate whether the block can recover through renewal strategies like retrunking or if significant replanting is necessary. You may need to develop a three to five-year plan for recovery, considering the economic implications and aiming for uniform vine age for consistent fruit quality.
If you want to learn more about managing cold climate vineyards and dealing with cold damaged vines, check out https://www.vineyardundergroundpodcast.com/vu055.
