By Clint Thompson
Summer weed control begins now for grape producers, according to one North Georgia Extension agent.
Nathan Eason, County Extension Coordinator and Agricultural and Natural Resources agent for White County, noted in the University of Georgia Viticulture Blog that if growers have not applied herbicides in their respective vineyards, it is definitely time to do so.
“We’re warming up right now. Most of the time, as an Extension agent, I’m recommending that pre-emergent herbicides be put out in lawns, certain pastures, a hayfield situation. In vineyards, they’re no exception,” Eason said. “All of your summer grasses, crabgrasses and other things will be germinating when the temperature warms up a bit more.
“Sometimes those (herbicides) are recommended to be put out in February, but we always have a cold snap, and as long as you get back down below 32 (degrees Fahrenheit), that cold weather is probably going to fight back anything that’s germinated. About this time of year is perfect time to be putting down that first application.
“It won’t last all season. It’ll last probably about eight or nine weeks, and you’ll probably have to reapply another application mid-summer.”
Eason cautioned grape growers that they avoid making multiple applications of glyphosate, a post-emergence herbicide. This can lead to multiple issues including potential resistance buildup in some weeds.
Eason noted, “Using pre-emergence herbicides in combination with glyphosate and glufosinate offers growers the best opportunity for weed control success by mitigating the potential herbicide resistant weed development, maintaining healthy vines and reducing number of applications during the year.”
A number of pre-emergence herbicides are registered for use. They include Chateau (flumioxazin), Matrix (rimsulfuron), simazine, Prowl H20 (pendimethalin) and Spartan Charge.