Budbreak and other vineyard progress

The rains came just in time.  The leaves are starting to show, and the mechanical weeder was delivered this morning, so we can maintain an organic environment.  We are using a Spinweeder which was developed in the last year for the organic vineyard to reduce weed competition around the vine without chemicals.

The Saucer Magnolias have survived the winter.

Sunrise arriving in the growing trellis, Teke standing guard against the deer, who have not yet arrived.  We are around 75% complete with the post installation, then the wiring begins, finished with the shelters and stakes.  Almost time to mow between the rows again, before the next rain comes in a few days.

We chose a three foot between vine spacing, with eight feet between rows.  We planted over an acre with almost two acres worth of vines had they been planted with traditional US spacing.  It's been a challenge for Frank and his crew as this is the first vineyard they've constructed with this close spacing, but it's all working out in the end.

Hope browsing in the fog of the morning.

Sunrise.  Starting to look like a vineyard.

Hope your early spring is off to a good start.

Kate

A day in the birth of a vineyard

The sun is up 

Roses and lavender beginning to bloom again

The rows are mowed, the vines mulched with grass clippings, 

the poles on the ground ready to build the trellis

Sunset arrives quickly here, lots done today

The lack of rain this spring has been a challenge, the ground is dry and packed and makes for a difficult trellis build.  Handwatering the vines with a water truck has been a very slow process, with small progress, but an irrigation system for grapes here is usually an expense not needed for the rare use.  Hoping for a little rain this week to help the vines thrive.

Kate