Today is the first day of the year when the melting snow and shining sun combined and actually made it feel a bit like spring. I’m still wearing a winter coat, but it’s unzipped and there’s a tiny urge to take it off.
Spring???
Pruning 2013
Just getting started with pruning this year. Last year at this time, the vineyard was pruned, dormant sprayed, and all rows were raked. Crazy winter-spring we’re having right now.
Grape vine rooting
When I was pruning the vineyard last week, there were some vines out there that just haven’t taken off, even after two growing seasons. So I took a few cuttings from some healthier vines and I’m attempting to root them indoors over the next few months. If they take root, I’ll try to plant them in May. They’ve been in soil for less than a week and buds are already starting to swell.
Grape pruning
Six rows pruned. Thirteen to go.
Test post from iPhone
A view from the snowy vineyard.
Helloooo, Ladies…
I spent a few hours in the upper vineyard this morning doing some much needed weeding around the base of the vines. I got through 6 of the 10 rows… oh, and that weeding was by HAND. I actually expected to be at that job for about a week, but it went way faster than I thought. During my evening stroll with Pepper, I came back up to the vineyard to inspect the vines and discovered Lady Bugs! This is great. Lady Bugs are natural pest eaters and they are always welcome on our property. I have not seen a ton of them out in the wild, but after a brief inspection, I counted 7 tonight. Breed, Lady Bugs, breed!
Leon Millot Bud Break
This is what the vine looks like two days after bud break. Notice the new cane shooting out with leaves and flowers. These vines were grown from 2008 cuttings from my friend’s vineyard in Groton, MA. Leon Millot is a French/American hybrid red grape.
Vineyard Planting Day – May 1, 2010
Vineyard Planting Video: 26 humans and 6 dogs plant 122 vines in 3 hours.