Handbook Bulletin 861 Chapter 4 Grapes Weed Management in Grapes Weeds can be a major problem in vineyards.
Weeds compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight.
Use herbicides alone, cultivation or in combination with crops such as field corn. Annual broad leaf weeds and grasses are easy to control once they have been identified and after the grapes have been planted. Many different means can be used to control weeds in established vineyards but knowledge of the soil type, timing of a specific herbicide, use of irrigation, and equipment are several factors for successful weed control. Cultivation by hand hoeing can be done in a small vineyard. Certain types of rotary or cultivating machines as the grape hoe are available but the risk of trunk and root injury are high.