Vineyard Fall-Winter Weed Management

Weed management during the fall-winter season is critical for several reasons. Weeds can directly compete with grapevines for water and nutrients, which can affect vine health and yield. Additionally, weeds can attract harmful insects, mites, nematodes and diseases, and they can also provide habitat and food for vertebrate pests like gophers and ground squirrels. To maintain the health of grapevines and minimize the negative impact of weeds, effective weed management is essential.

The effectiveness of fall-winter weed management is closely tied to the condition of the under-vine berms going into the fall-winter period. If the under-vine berms are clean and weed-free, either through post-emergent herbicide control or under-vine cultivation during spring and summer, managing weeds in the fall-winter becomes much simpler. However, if there are significant residual weeds or weed escapes, additional measures must be taken in the fall-winter to control them effectively.

Pre-emergent herbicides are valuable tools for fall-winter weed control, but their efficacy depends on several factors. These factors include:

1.       Proper Calibration: It's crucial to ensure that the spray equipment used for herbicide application is correctly calibrated to deliver the right amount of herbicide.

2.       Application to Bare Dirt: Pre-emergent herbicides should be applied to bare dirt, which means ensuring that there are no existing weeds or vegetation in the treated area.

3.       Soil Incorporation: Herbicides should be incorporated into the soil using natural rainfall or overhead irrigation. This helps activate the herbicide and ensures it reaches the weed seeds in the soil.

4.       Matching Herbicide to Weed Mix: Choosing the correct pre-emergent herbicide that is effective against the specific weed mix present in the vineyard is crucial for successful weed control.

Centrus® is an exceptional pre-emergent herbicide designed for grape growers. What sets Centrus apart is that it's the only dual-action pre-emergent herbicide on the market today. It combines two proven herbicides to provide long-lasting weed control as well as complementary burndown activity. One of the active ingredients in Centrus restricts plant growth and inhibits cell division during germination, while the other ingredient hinders seed germination and root development. This combination offers safe and effective weed control for up to six months, reducing the need for additional treatments and saving both time and money for growers.

Centrus is highly recommended for Grape Wise™ growers because it provides a robust solution to weed control. By inhibiting both germination and plant growth, Centrus offers long-lasting and comprehensive control of grasses and broadleaf weeds commonly found in vineyards. This not only promotes the health of grapevines, but it also reduces the need for frequent retreatments. Ultimately, Centrus allows growers to focus on other essential aspects of their business, aside from weed management.

To get more information about Centrus and how it can benefit your vineyard, contact your local Helena Grape Wise representative for more information. They are your best resource for understanding how Centrus can put control back in your hands when it comes to weed management.