The vine cycle repeats itself every year with a regular cadence. Dates are either earlier or later, depending on the particular weather of the season, but bud break is usually between March and April.
There are several factors that determine the date of sprouting, although the most important is the climate. Other influencing circumstances are the water level of the soil, the altitude, the slope, the sun exposure of the plants and, above all, the type of grape, since the different varieties tend to bud more or less early.
Budding is the first phase of the vine cycle and occurs when the first shoots, also known as borras, appear on the shoots of the plant. These incipient new shoots or stems will grow into leaves.
The plant awakens from its winter dormancy and the increase in ambient temperature causes them to begin to swell and the so-called flock appears, a cottony substance that covers them, its growth causes the flock to break and it is then when new leaves and shoots grow from each shoot.
With spring, green takes over the vineyards, indicating that the vines are gestating the fruit that will be so preciously harvested during the harvest. During this period, frosts may still occur, due to the proximity of winter, which would negatively affect the plant. In addition, it is a period in which special attention should be paid to other tasks that help the vine to develop correctly, such as eliminating weeds, removing and aerating the soil to encourage rooting and carrying out the relevant fertilization tasks.
As spring progresses, the leaves will grow, giving way to the next phase of the vine cycle, foliation. But that will be a subject for another time, now it is time to enjoy the spectacle of the greenness of the vineyards, a sign that the vines are awakening after the winter and a promise of the future fruit that we will harvest later: the grapes.
Blog
