Fertilize grapevines: instructions & expert tips

Grape vines not only provide delicious grapes, but 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 one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and was already of great importance in ancient times. For a long time, wine could only be grown in mild regions. In the meantime, however, there are modern varieties that reliably produce fruit and produce sweet grapes even in cooler regions. In order for your vine to remain healthy and provide a great harvest, it needs good care. An annual pruning and regular fertilization are essential for this.

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

When in the year to fertilize the vines?

New vines can be planted in late fall or early spring (April). You can start fertilizing here. Poor soil should be enriched 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 fertilizer application is recommended at the time of flowering and fruit formation (end of June). The last fertilization should be carried out three to four weeks before the autumn harvest. A sufficient supply of nutrients (especially potassium) helps in this phase with ripening 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 long-term fertilizer
• Second application of fertilizer for flowering and fruit formation (end of June)
• Last fertilization before harvest (August/September)

Tip from the pro: A layer of grass cuttings mulch reduces evaporation from the soil and also provides the vines with organic nutrients.

Grapevine fertilizer: How and with what to fertilize grapevines?

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

Fertilizing grapevines organically: instructions

Both from a scientific and 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, such as:

• Long-term nutrient supply to the vine through slow decomposition by microorganisms in the soil
• Stimulating biological activity in the soil (good for microorganisms, earthworms, etc.)
• Due to the absence of 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 for the care of your grapevines. Sufficient nitrogen promotes growth and leaf formation. A high proportion of potassium and phosphorus also optimally supports your plant in the development of flowers and fruit. To ensure that you supply your vine with the right amount of nutrients, we have prepared detailed instructions for you below:

Long-term organic fertilization: instructions and dosages for grapevines

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

tip: To avoid any unpleasant surprises during the grape harvest, our special article tells you how 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 provide a certain basic supply for the plant, they are often used in the garden. However, if used improperly, the high salt concentrations in fertilizers can burn roots. In addition, the salts can be washed out into deeper soil layers and lead to increased nitrate levels in the groundwater there. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are slowly broken down by microorganisms in the soil, providing the plant with nutrients over a longer period of time. We therefore recommend using organic long-term fertilizers.

Fertilize vines with home remedies: Nettle manure and Co.

During flowering and fruit formation you can also use Plant manure made from stinging nettle or fertilize comfrey. You can easily set these up yourself. Before use, however, they should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 to avoid burning the plant. In dry areas, it is also advisable to apply a mulch layer of grass clippings. This helps to better retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and improves the soil structure over the long term through ongoing decomposition.

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

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

More information about Planting grapevines and about different varieties can be found in our special article.