Vines' nutrient needs vary across the season, and bloom is a particularly sensitive time. Leading up to bloom, you want to make sure your micronutrients are on point. Boron and Zinc for instance are crucial if you want to ensure good set. On the other hand, too much nitrogen can reprogram your vines to think veggie and forgo fruit production all together. 

Once fruit is set though, it's time to lay on the macro-nutrients. Most vines benefit from Nitrogen and Phosphorous at this time. These will help your canopy expand and ripen up all those grapes you've got coming. 

If your vines need Potassium, now is a good time to apply it. Again...if they need it. I don't need to tell you how much winemakers freak out about the big K, but at this point vines are making good use of it and harvest is a long way off. You can read all about the importance of Potassium here. 

Calcium and Magnesium are also important, but overdoing one or the other can seriously mess with your soil. 

The best way to dial in nutrition is through plant tissue and soil sampling. If you think laying on the compost year after year is going to give your vines all you need, you're taking a gamble on your vines' health in the both short and long term. 

Advanced Viticulture can examine your soil and plant tissues and provide you with a tailored plan to address your vineyard's specific needs.

So get it together and shoot us an email if you need help: mark@advancedvit.com. 

Severe nitrogen deficiency can cause stunted growth.  

Want to invest in saving water but can't fit it in the budget?

The SWEEP grant can help you pay for water and energy saving equipment for your vineyard. Here are a few things covered under this program:

• Soil Moisture probes + telemetry
• Flowmeters
• Weather stations
• Well-monitoring
• Variable Frequency Devices
• Solar 

While this program opens up in October, it's never too early to start hashing out a project. Most people who work in the wine industry seem to have stuff to do in October anyway...

Contact loni@advancedvit.com for more information.