Preparing For Winter

Getting ready for dormancy is an important part of a good crop management plan for growers across the Northwest.  From the heat of summer to now getting ready for the cold of winter.  Independent certified crop adviser Marc Suderman reminds growers to consider what goes into your trees and vines from the stored reserves for the cold months ahead.

“This includes mineral nutrients and energy in the form of carbohydrates.  Carbohydrate sugars are also solutes, and they act like antifreeze to protect plants against cold temperature, stress, and damage potassium.  This foundation on helping plants build sugars, which also improves plant cold weather tolerance.”

Suderman said a plant’s nitrogen content can actually reduce winter hardiness, making post-harvest applications even more important.

“When there is no canopy present and therefore no photosynthesis happening, plants can only workout of the stored reserves. If there is a deficiency, it directly affects next season's potential."

He stressed soil and or plant tissue analysis are also vital to the success of next season’s crop.

“It eliminates guesswork and when done properly, improves your fertilizer management, precision and year on year productivity.”

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com