Spring has sprung! Can you believe it is April already? The scarcity of snow and the absence of warmth over the winter months has me eager to embrace the upcoming sunshine! I love to see the splendor of the flower buds blooming and trees dancing with life as the world turns into a cornucopia of colors! A particularly important aspect in aiding the new growth of the season is the soil. This leads to the inspiration of this month's article! Let's get dirty!
When planting your own gardens, whether vegetables or flowers, we all know how important it is to choose the right type of soil. The burden of choosing the right soil for wine-makers is multifaceted and complex to ensure a plentiful harvest.
The ideal soil for grape vines is a deep, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, with a balance of organic matter. To have a thriving crop, certain nutrients should be present. Nitrogen is essential for grape growth; Phosphorus helps with root development, Potassium to strengthen the vine’s shoots and leaves, Calcium promotes growth; and Magnesium prevents nutrient deficiencies in the vine. Whew! I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a lot of science! Luckily, there are many places that will test your soil and tell you what it needs to ensure your soil is optimal for healthy crops.
Cultivating grapes will require you to test physical soil properties; texture, structure, porosity, compaction, organic matter levels, as well as grade. Each of the previously mentioned criteria determines how well water, air, and nutrients move through the soil to help your grapes grow; it is essential to ensure a good balance in order to grow both healthy and vigorous vines that will thrive.
Location is another important aspect of gardening. Grapes require 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily in order to ripen properly. Next time you are enjoying your favorite varietal, know that lots of love, care, and science went into each beautiful glass!
Let the sun shine in!
Heather Hulett
General Manager
