Spring Table Grape Management in Australia: Tips for Optimal Yield and Quality 🍇

Stefano Franchini
Sep 4
3 min read

Spring (September–November) is a critical time for table grape vineyards across Sunraysia, Riverland and Swan Valley.

Decisions made now – from pruning to pest control, fertilisation, and irrigation – set the stage for fruit set, cluster development, and final quality.

Here's our recommend tips for Spring:

1. Vineyard Inspections and Spring Table Grape Pruning

Check buds and shoots: After budburst, inspect each row for winter damage, disease, or weak shoots. Remove dead wood and weak buds, leaving only healthy, well-positioned shoots.
Adjust pruning if needed: While main winter pruning is done, spring is perfect for minor corrections. Trim excess shoots and basal suckers to maintain a clean trunk and balanced canopy.
Frost protection: Late frosts can damage young shoots and flowers. Use sprinklers, frost fans, or light covers where necessary. Delaying final pruning slightly can help postpone bud burst and reduce frost risk.

2. Canopy and Cluster Management

Train and tie shoots: Position shoots on the trellis to optimise sunlight and airflow.
Cluster thinning: Removing small or excess clusters improves berry size and uniform ripening. Balance the number of buds per vine according to cultivar vigor.
Air circulation: Open canopy and consider anti-rain or anti-insect nets to reduce disease risk and enhance berry quality.

3. Pest and Disease Control

Powdery mildew: Begin protective sprays immediately after bud burst. Apply sulphur or registered fungicides when leaves reach 2–3 developed stages.
Downy mildew: Preventative copper sprays are key, especially before flowering. Avoid wetting leaves when possible.
Botrytis: Keep canopy airy and thin dense clusters; anti-rain nets reduce infection risk.
Insect pests: Monitor aphids, mealybugs, fruit flies (Qfly), and mites early. Use targeted products or biological controls. Traps and confusions techniques help manage fruit flies.

4. Nutrition and Fertilisation

Macro nutrients: Apply nitrogen carefully to encourage healthy growth without excessive vegetative vigor. Potassium is essential for sugar content and colour development.
Micro nutrients: Boron and zinc support flower set, berry development, and sugar accumulation. Foliar sprays during flowering improve fruit set and reduce losses.
Fertigation: In drip systems, fractionate fertilisation to match vine demand and avoid stress. In organic systems, use compost or certified organic fertilisers.

5. Irrigation

Pre-flowering: Maintain adequate soil moisture after bud burst to support vigorous growth. Slight controlled deficit can limit excessive leaf growth without harming flower development.
Post-flowering: Keep moisture steady until berries reach cuoio stage. Reduce water slightly later to concentrate sugars and improve berry quality.
Tools: Use drip irrigation with moisture sensors or tensiometers. Morning applications minimise evaporation.

6. Early vs Late Varieties

Early varieties (Thompson Seedless, Crimson Seedless) need frost protection and balanced vigor to support early fruit set.
Late varieties (Autumn Crisp, Red Globe) require more water and nutrient management to maintain steady growth and even ripening.
Adjust pruning, irrigation, and fertilisation according to each variety’s growth pattern.

7. Covering Options: Multicolor 50 vs Woven Plastic

Multicolor 50 selective film: Reflects infrared, reduces daytime heat by 3–4°C, improves cluster uniformity and berry colour. Optimized UV transmission enhances phenolic content and berry quality.
Woven HDPE covers: Durable, retain heat at night, and provide mechanical protection. Ideal for longer-term use; light diffusion improves photosynthesis.
Practical advice: Multicolor 50 is perfect to manage daytime heat stress and enhance uniformity; woven plastic excels in frost protection and long-term durability. Choice depends on climate, variety, and budget.

Spring Table Grape Management is key!

Key Takeaway: Spring management determines the quality, size, and color of your table grapes. Combine careful pruning, canopy management, targeted nutrition, precise irrigation, and appropriate cover solutions for optimal results.

Share your experiences with fellow growers and consult our agronomists to tailor strategies to your vineyard.

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