Using GroGuard Vineguards for Vineyard Establishment
Prepare your soil
Up to 4x growth of roots and shoots compared to open growth vines [link]
Profitable crops 18 months after planting [ link]
On the wire
Rapid growth. In soils where roots move freely through the soil shoot growth can exceed 3cm/day. The key factor is soil penetrability (link to penetrability).
Reach the wire within 4-8 weeks with rapid growth. The shoot should be attached to the training wire before it is 30cm long. Heading to achieve a bilateral cordon can done as per usual practice.
Apply herbicide freely without risk of damage to the vine. Fungicide may be needed once the shoot is out of the guard. Synthetic fungicides are preferred as sulphur is can shorten the life expectancy of the guard.
Carry a crop in the second season. At the end of the season, given good management, the vine can carry a crop in the second season (pic)
Once the vine exists the guard it should be
Planting, assembly, and installation
Easy assembly. Assemble in the shed with the sealing tool supplied. Need more tools? We supply more for free.
No stake required. GroGuard Vineguards are secure and wind-tunnel tested. An extra 35mm length is provided to push the guard into the soil, and a plastic top clip to attach the guard to the wire.
Uneven terrain? No problem. Use our "M-clip” if the guard is too long or short. If you fold below the tab, the guard will not be secure and will not be resusable. [link instructions]
Your vines are now safe from herbicide, wind, sand blast and grazing animals
Removing GroGuards
GroGuards should stay on until there are eight fully expanded leaves out of the Guard, but they can stay on over winter.
Re-use with no storage required. If there is to be a second planting next spring, the guards can be left on and reused then without storing.
Tip: Some growers head the vine to the wire in winter, slide the sealed guard off in spring, and apply it directly to the next planting.
Quick and easy to open and re-seal. If growth has been poor, and it is decided to prune the vine low, the guard can be opened, the vine pruned, and the guard simply resealed (video).
No cleaning required. In our own trials we have found it unnecessary to clean the inside of the guard.
Growth inside GroGuards
Save on labour. Most growers find that no pruning or training is needed until the vine exits the guard.
Save on water. Water use is reduced, so reduce irrigation! Use mulch for even greater water savings. Overwatering will drown the root system, encourage soil pathogens and block water uptake result in “burning” of the vine. Do not put dripper tubes inside the GroGuard.
Growth is focused into a single, straight stem. Winter pruning can correct minor issues.
Lower your risk of disease. Fungal diseases are almost never a problem due to occasional high temperatures inside the guards.
GroGuards are quick and easy to open and reseal reseal if needed. (link to video)