Newsletter Volume I, Issue 2 (June 2003)
Newsletter Contents
In this issue of the newsletter we discuss the following topics:
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Greetings
Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter! We don’t pretend to be experts at growing grapes in cold climates, but rather we hope you find the newsletter an informative and entertaining source of information. If you do, feel free to forward the e-mail to others that may be interested. If you have suggestions for future topics or general comments/suggestions, feel free to send us an e-mail: don@grapelog.com. Soil Prep
When we first decided to plant grapevines, we quickly found out we had a lot to learn. One of the first considerations was to determine if our soil would support the vines. Without being too scientific, we proceeded to dig a hole about 2 feet deep in the area of the planned vineyard. What we found was that most of what we dug up (past the first couple inches) was clay. Based on some minimal research we knew that a soil high in clay content might be too wet and not contain enough organic matter for vines to grow well. So we decided that we needed to amend the soil.
When we first decided to plant grapevines, we quickly found out we had a lot to learn. One of the first considerations was to determine if our soil would support the vines. Without being too scientific, we proceeded to dig a hole about 2 feet deep in the area of the planned vineyard. What we found was that most of what we dug up (past the first couple inches) was clay. Based on some minimal research we knew that a soil high in clay content might be too wet and not contain enough organic matter for vines to grow well. So we decided that we needed to amend the soil.Initially, we planned to use an old Ford tractor to till the soil and hopefully break up some of the clay. One day early last spring we watched our neighbor plant some trees on his property using a Toro implement called a Dingo. It is essentially a walk-behind loader that accepts any number of attachments - including auger bits. It occurred to us that this would also work to prepare planting holes for the vines. So we rented the Dingo with an 18″ auger bit and dug 54 3′ deep holes in a little over an hour! It was amazing. Then we backfilled the holes mixing compost with the original clay as we went. Then we planted the vines in these holes and watched them take off. So far, the experiment seems to have worked. The soil drains better, the cover crop is filling in nicely - where grass did not really grow before and we have earthworms by the bucket load (did not see too many when the vineyard was first planted)!
Winter 2002-2003 Results
We had an odd winter for this part of the world. The main thing that happened (or didn’t) was that we had very little snow - especially during the early and middle parts of the winter. And that was when we got the coldest weather of the season. We recorded a season-low of -24.6F in the vineyard. This, coupled with some vines that entered dormancy in a less than optimal state, created conditions ripe for winter injury. What follows is a summary of how the varieties in our vineyard ‘weathered’ the winter of 2002-2003:
| Variety | Survival Notes |
| Valiant | These were the only bareroot vines we planted last year. They grew extremely well last season and survived the winter with nary a scratch. They are all leafed out now and doing awesome. |
| Prairie Star | These were nursery-started vines and did not get going until the first week of July. While pruning them in March, they seemed ok. But it quickly became apparent that they may have suffered some fairly serious injuries. Two contributing factors (our theory at least) - (1) immaturity entering dormancy and (2) no insulating snow cover until after worst of winter cold had passed (-24.6 F). At this point, one plant has buds at it’s base, another has a small shoot that came out of the ground near the trunk, and two others ‘bled’ sap during investigative pruning. So hopefully, they will push buds from their bases soon. |
| Frontenac | These were also nursery-started vines and did not get going until the first week of July. While they seemed ok during pruning, they do appear to have suffered some damage. Shoots are coming up from the bases up to about 18″ and no higher on the trunks. |
| St. Pepin | These were planted directly in the vineyard as cuttings and did reasonably well. They are also the least hardy of any of the vines we have. It appears that all three vines may have winter-killed. We are in the process of callusing new cuttings to fill in the rest of that row in the vineyard. We will wait and see if these plants push shoot from their bases or not. |
| Bluebell | These were planted directly in the vineyard as cuttings and did ok. Only one of them actually took last season and that one appears to have survived. It’s pushing leaves now. We replaced the other two with bareroot vines. Right now, all three Bluebells are leafed out. |
| King of the North | These were planted directly in the vineyard as cuttings and did pretty good. One of the cuttings did not take. But neither of the two that did have budded out at this point. Again, these plants were rather immature entering dormancy. We replaced the one that did not take with a bareroot vine. Currently two of the three are leafed out. |
Vineyard Protection
This spring we decided to plant a row of lilac bushes on the western edge of the vineyard. We found a good deal on Common Lilacs (sample picture) and bought six of them. These were planted on May 13th and seem to have taken to their new surroundings well. Once they grow a bit bigger, they will form a natural barrier against wind and 2,4-D (among other herbicides). We’d rather sacrifice the lilacs and save the grapevines.
Also, we are working to develop a deer control regimen without resorting to installing a fence. We plan to deter deer by way of odor, taste and visual methods - fencing the vineyard is not an option. So far this spring, the deer have not found us. But they are in the neighborhood as we have seen a fair amount of sign from them wandering through. We did plant a vegetable garden - this may end up being another way to keep the deer from the vines. Hopefully we won’t have to sacrifice all of our veggies to save the vineyard!
Newsworthy Notes
We will soon be planting some additional St. Pepin cuttings - they are callusing now. Look for updates on the website or in upcoming newsletters.
The last item of interest - and one that may help us with our local deer population - is that we have had cougar sightings in our neighborhood. Authorities are not sure if this is part of a wild breeding population or someone’s pet that was set loose. Go figure!
Hey - don’t forget to tell your friends about our newsletter!
When we first decided to plant grapevines, we quickly found out we had a lot to learn. One of the first considerations was to determine if our soil would support the vines. Without being too scientific, we proceeded to dig a hole about 2 feet deep in the area of the planned vineyard. What we found was that most of what we dug up (past the first couple inches) was clay. Based on some minimal research we knew that a soil high in clay content might be too wet and not contain enough organic matter for vines to grow well. So we decided that we needed to amend the soil.Initially, we planned to use an old Ford tractor to till the soil and hopefully break up some of the clay. One day early last spring we watched our neighbor plant some trees on his property using a Toro implement called a . It is essentially a walk-behind loader that accepts any number of - including . It occurred to us that this would also work to prepare planting holes for the vines. So we rented the Dingo with an 18″ auger bit and dug 54 3′ deep holes in a little over an hour! It was amazing. Then we backfilled the holes mixing compost with the original clay as we went. Then we planted the vines in these holes and watched them take off. So far, the experiment seems to have worked. The soil drains better, the cover crop is filling in nicely - where grass did not really grow before and we have earthworms by the bucket load (did not see too many when the vineyard was first planted)!
Blue Door Vineyard’s Grapelog :: Grape-growing, winemaking & wine » Newsletter Archive Said,
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