Fertilizing grapevines: instructions & expert tips

Not only do grape vines make delicious grapes, they are also decorative. Here you can find out everything you need to know about when, how and with what to fertilize wine.

the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is considered to be one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and was of great importance even in ancient times. For a long time, wine could only be grown in mild regions. In the meantime, however, there are modern varieties that fruit reliably and produce sweet grapes even in cooler regions. In order for your grapevine to stay healthy and produce a great harvest, it needs to be well looked after. Annual pruning and regular fertilization are essential for this.

The grapevine can grow very quickly and profusely. After the annual pruning, you should therefore provide them with sufficient nutrients. But when, how and with what is the best fertilizer for the grapevine? We will get to the bottom of these questions in more detail in this article.

When in the year fertilize the vines?

New vines can be planted in late autumn or spring (April). Here you can start fertilizing for the first time. You should enrich poor soils with compost or manure beforehand. After planting, you can also add some organic fertilizer in granular form - like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer - apply to the floor. This provides the plant with sufficient nutrients in the initial phase.

After a basic fertilization in spring, a second application of fertilizer is recommended at the time of flowering and fruiting (end of June). The last fertilization should be done three to four weeks before the harvest in autumn. A sufficient supply of nutrients (especially potassium) helps in this phase with maturation and reduces frost damage. It is best to use organic long-term fertilizers such as our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer. This is particularly gentle on plants, soil and animals in the garden.

Summary: When to fertilize the vines in the year?

• Work compost or manure into the soil before planting
• Basic fertilization in spring (end of April) with organic slow-release fertilizer
• Second application of fertilizer for flower and fruit formation (end of June)
• Last fertilization before harvest (August / September)

Tip from the professional: A mulch layer made from grass clippings reduces the evaporation of the soil and additionally supplies the grapevine with organic nutrients.

Grapevine fertilizer: how and with what fertilize grapevines?

Grapevines can be fertilized in a number of ways. You can find more about the individual procedures and our recommendations below.

Organically fertilize grapevines: instructions

From a scientific as well as especially from a sustainable point of view, it is advisable to use organic long-term fertilizers in organic quality in your own garden. These also offer many advantages when fertilizing grapevines, for example:

• Long-term supply of nutrients to the grapevine through slow decomposition by microorganisms in the soil
• Stimulation of biological activity in the soil (good for microorganisms, earthworms and the like)
• By not using chemicals, it is particularly gentle on people, pets and garden animals

Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer consists mainly of purely organic, plant-based raw materials and offers an ideal nutrient composition to supply your grapevine. Sufficient nitrogen promotes growth and leaf formation. A high proportion of potassium and phosphorus also optimally supports your plant in flower and fruit formation. We have prepared detailed instructions for you to ensure that you supply your grapevine with the right amount of nutrients:

Long-term organic fertilization: Instructions and dosage levels for grapevines

1. Before planting: work 70 - 100 g per plant of our Plantura organic universal fertilizer into the upper soil layers
2. Water freshly planted plants well so that the granules can loosen
3. After 2 months you should fertilize 50 - 80 g per plant
4. A little fertilization, about 3 to 4 weeks before harvest, provides the grapevine with additional optimal support

tip: So that you do not experience any unpleasant surprises when harvesting grapes, you can find out how to do this in our special article Protect grapes from wasps and birds can.

Fertilize grapevines with minerals

Blue grain, Liquid fertilizer and Co. are easily soluble and can be absorbed directly by the plant. This one Mineral fertilizers to provide a certain basic supply for the plant, they are often used in the garden. However, if used improperly, the high salt concentrations in the fertilizers can burn the roots. In addition, the salts can be washed out into deeper soil layers and lead to increased nitrate levels in the groundwater there. In contrast, organic fertilizers are slowly broken down by microorganisms in the soil and thus supply the plant with nutrients over a longer period of time. We therefore recommend using long-term organic fertilizers.

Fertilize grapevines with home remedies: nettle manure and Co.

During the blossoming and fruiting process, you can also use Vegetable manure from nettle or fertilize comfrey. You can also easily apply these yourself. Before use, however, they should be diluted 1:10 with water to prevent burns on the plant. In dry areas, it is also advisable to apply a layer of mulch made from grass clippings. This helps to keep the moisture in the soil better, to suppress weeds and, through the constant decomposition, improves the soil structure over the long term.

Something that occurs in almost every household is also more dry Coffee grounds for fertilization. You can sprinkle the actual waste product on the floor and work it in easily. The organic material is slowly decomposed and provides your vines with additional nutrients. However, you shouldn't fertilize with coffee grounds too often, because in the long run this lowers the pH value of the soil into the acidic range.

Tip from the professional: Ash from untreated wood is also suitable for fertilizing grapevines. You should only use this sparingly, however, as it is very rich in lime and in the long term increases the pH value of the soil to the alkaline range.

More information about the Planting grapevines and for different types can be found in our special article.