Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/116287
WineEast same techniques used in any high-quality planting regimen. It is even possible to laser plant the vineyard. The height of the tunnel allows small equipment inside for inserting trellis materials. There is a choice of whether or not to cover the end posts with the tunnel. This decision is based on how, when and how tightly the tunnel will need to be closed during frost or freeze events. After vines and trellis are planted, drip irrigation can be installed using buried or elevated soaking hoses or by button drippers. The tunnel floor can be left bare. In our experience, the plant growth under the vines is relatively easy to maintain, but by far the best way is to lay down the black agricultural fabric for weed control. The plastic skin is the last item to be installed, and contractors will do the initial installation. While it is not terribly difficult to install, it is a good idea to pay attention when they do the installation so that the grower and/or vineyard workers will be familiar with the procedure. The plastic used is a 8/26/10 11:36 Waterloo_Nov10.qxp special blend spe- AM cifically designed to block ultraviolet light. the stems happens in the normal course of plant development. The plastic will last for about three to four years. The hoop supports for two tunnels have been modified to allow a gutter that will collect and remove rainwater as it drains off plastic covering the tunnel hoops. It also scatters the light very effectively within the tunnel, which results in less influence of light on row orientation. In addition, more light penetrates deeper into the canopy than indirect sunlight, and there is virtually no chance of sunburn on the crop, yet the clusters attain full color for Page 1 both red and white grapes. Lignification of How to grow grapes in a tunnel In large measure, growers using tunnels have the same goals and parameters as conventional vineyards. Tunnels allow for several "outside the box" concepts that have the possibility of providing significant modification to "normal" grapegrowing. Pruning: High-quality fruit is not generally subject to mechanical pruning, and so any limitation presented by a tunnel with this aspect of grapegrowing is not going to be an issue. That being said, there do not seem to be any limitations to current pruning methods that would pose any limitation in a tunnel from conventional methods. Timing of pruning will need modification due to the desires for early bud push and crop management. The vineyard will need to be season-ready considerably earlier than the comparable outside vines. Canopy management: When growing grapes, a tunnel gets the vines off to a racing start. Each season when the vines Win es & Vi n es A PRI L 20 13 89