5 Post-harvest Vineyard Tips for MAY + Bonus hack you don’t want to miss! 🍇
- Stefano Franchini
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Updated: May 7
As the post-harvest period kicks in and the vines begin winding down, May is a critical month to set your vineyard up for long-term health and productivity.
With harvest complete and winter on the horizon, now’s the time to reset, repair, and refocus.
Here are five essential actions to help table grape growers set up for success in the next season:
🍇 1. Post-Harvest Review
A strong season starts with smart reflection.
Assess yield, fruit quality, and any challenges faced—such as pest pressures, weather impacts, or nutrient deficiencies.
These insights inform pruning decisions, fertigation planning, and future pest control strategies.
✂️ 2. Preliminary Winter Pruning
Start shaping for strength.
Begin removing old, dry, or diseased canes. Keep your strongest canes to maintain balanced vines, improve airflow, and lay the foundation for next year’s productivity. This early pruning step also reduces fungal spore loads.
🌱 3. Autumn Fertilisation
Feed the soil while roots are still active.
Incorporate compost and consider phosphorus and potassium supplements to encourage root development.
Avoid overdoing nitrogen—it can stimulate late, unwanted growth and delay dormancy.
🧹 4. Disease Control
Clean vines, clean future.
Clear away old leaves and fallen plant material to reduce overwintering disease risk.
A light copper-based spray can help suppress residual fungal spores and protect pruning wounds.
🚜 5. Optimise Equipment
Downtime now prevents downtime later.
Inspect, clean, and calibrate tractors, sprayers, and pruners.
Service worn parts and make sure everything is ready for winter applications and spring startup.
A little maintenance now saves headaches in harvest.
Book your tractor and sprayer servicing now with Tractor Culture to avoid the seasonal rush. A smooth-running machine means a more efficient, stress-free spray program—and fewer headaches in the vineyard.
🌟 BONUS TIP: Use the Right Sprayer for the Job
The right gear makes all the difference. We recommend the Maggio BW-BVE Ultra Low Volume Electrostatic-Pneumatic Trailed Sprayer with a centrifugal fan—available in 2000L and 3000L sizes. It’s efficient, precise, and ideal for professional vineyard applications. Contact Tractor Culture to learn more or book a demo.
From soil to canopy—and your shed too—May is all about preparation.
These tips will help you protect your vines, maximise vine health, and take the pressure off the busy winter months.
Need products, servicing, or expert support?
Whether it's Grapecare for vineyard supplies or Tractor Culture for machinery, we've got your back.
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