Spring is a magical time in the vineyards, it's the time when everything starts anew. It is a period of renewal and regeneration when nature wakes up after a long winter. For us winegrowers, spring is the time of year when we have to be more alert and work harder to prepare the vines for the coming harvest.
Spring officially begins on March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere. During this season, the temperature starts to rise, the daylight hours increase and the days get longer. All this is essential for the growth of the vines.
During the winter, the vines have been in a state of dormancy, but with the arrival of spring, life returns to the vines. The first signs that winter is ending are the buds that start to appear on the vine branches. These shoots will become the leaves and grapes of the next harvest. That means it's time to start working on the vines to make sure they have everything they need to grow and produce a good harvest.
Green pruning
The first important work of the spring in the vineyards is the green pruning. This technique consists in removing unwanted shoots so that the vine has a greater number of leaves and grapes. In this way, we ensure that the vines have enough air and sunlight to grow, and we manage to control the growth of the plant. As winegrowers, we have to decide which buds to remove and which to leave on the plant, to ensure that the grapes have enough room to develop and ripen. We also have to make sure that the vines are well nourished and hydrated, so that they have the ideal conditions to grow. You can find out more about green pruning in our post "Organic Vine Cultivation (II): Green Pruning"
Weed control
Another essential task in spring is weed control. Weeds can grow on vines and compete with the vines for soil nutrients and water. To avoid this, growers must keep the soil clean and free of unwanted weeds.
Paying attention to the weather and pollinators
Spring frosts can be devastating to vines as they can kill buds and newly emerging leaves.
Spring is also the time when the vines begin to bloom. During flowering, vines produce flowers that will eventually become grapes. This is a crucial time for us, as any change in weather conditions during this period can have a significant impact on the quantity and quality of the harvest.
Winegrowers must pay attention to humidity and temperatures during flowering, as adverse weather conditions can damage flowers and reduce the amount of grapes produced. Also, during this period, bees and other pollinators are critical to the pollination process, which means that we as winegrowers must be able to maintain a balance between protecting the grapes and protecting the pollinators. (avoiding the use of harmful pesticides that can kill them) .
In addition to all the work spring involves in the vineyards, it is a time when we winegrowers can enjoy the beauty of the landscape and teamwork. It is a time when life is reborn and nature is shown in all its splendor.
