Monday, June 7, 2010

June 7, 2010 Another Hot Day at the Vineyard

John, Scott, Leon and I met very early Sat AM to finish working on the 2007 crop. Scott finished all of the 2008 crop, attaching cordons and used the Duratool gun. There was a lot of new growth and a lot of tying up to do.  2007 is loaded with grapes!!! 2008 is growing and we were able to finish getting the double trellis wires up on the last rows.  John applied the first round of fungicide earlier and the second round is due sometime this week.  Scott continues to tweak the watering system but still has a few kinks to iron out.  The storage tank is a good way to determine the amount of water being applied, but folks, it is hot and dry at the vineyard.  Pray that our well holds out and it doesn't go dry. Things to do include keep the water flowing, mow, use the weed eater, fungicide, spray the tiny grasshoppers and spiders, go back thru 2008 and tie down new growth etc.  The vineyard looks awesome from the scenic turnout on CR157.......Keep early August open for harvest!!!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

May 31, 2010 Dad's Birthday

John, Scott, MJ and Rob, Trish and LMC met on Monday morning to get some work done in the 2007 crop.  The grapes are growing, the branches are heavy so we spent time tying up the sagging branches to prevent the cordons from breaking. The Duratool guns save so much time...I think we used about 3000 staples.(picture to follow) Rows 9-16 are up to date but Rows 1-8 need another sweep) Scott worked on the 2007 crop tying up the new growth and we put out 2500 gals of water from the storage tank.  The kinks are getting ironed out with the watering system due to due diligence and "sheer dumb luck" (Prof McGonagagal-HP). John applied the first round of fungicide on May 29...next round in 10-14 days.....Work to be done....continue to tie up 2007 crop, finish the double trellis wires in 2008 and on and on and on.  By the way...it was hot!