Question From: D. Kropp - Utica, Michigan, United States
Q: Hi Nancy, I have Concord grape vines in my backyard and for the last three years I get grapes in the spring but by summer they shrivel up like raisins and fall off the vine. I have been spraying them with liquid seven, just like my apple, peach, and plum trees and they have been doing fine.What can I do to get my vines to produce grapes again. Dave
A: Dave, SEVIN is a pesticide that is toxic to humans, It is classified as a likely human carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.) Not something I would want to use in my yard or garden.Your grapes probably have a fungal disease called black rot. Remove all infected fruit and clean up around the vines. Pruning them would also help.In spring spray the vines with a fungicide at bud break and continue according to the directions until they flower. I recommend you read The *Grape* Grower: A Guide to Organic Viticulture: Lon J. Rombough available on Amazon. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
