Removal of Grow Tubes

This week, the first week of September 2007, I am removing the grow tubes. This is being done so that the vines can adjust to the temperatures better and get seasoned and ready for the upcoming fall and winter season. The blue sleeves cannot be reused, and will be placed in the recycling bin. But the blue insert strips will be reused in the Spring 2008 planting season.

Drought brings Fire Ants

Yep, you read correctly. Drought brings fire ants. What happens is this: In a severe drought, like what we are facing currently, all living creatures need water to survive. So the fire ants are moving their nests to where the vines are. As a result, one vine is already dead. 3 more are infected with fire ants. They are not dead yet, though.

Expansion Plans Coming

Just to let you know - these things will be happening between today and mid-March 2008:

1.) Burn Brush pile to make room for 14 rows of grape vines.
2.) Expand existing electric fence to accomodate new 14 rows rows behind existing 14 rows.
3.) Lay out (8) 100 foot long rows behind house.
4.) Transplant 2 pine trees to make room for 8 rows.
5.) Build electric fence around 8 rows.
6.) Add electric sub-panel to 20' x 30' metal shed for electric fence control.
7.) Install metal fence posts - 6.5' @ ends and 6' in rows, at all rows existing and new.
8.) Install hi-tensile wire - 2 strands per row.
9.) Install underground pvc line for dripline.
10.) Install black dripline and drippers.
11.) Lay out weed blocking fabric in rows between vines and cover with mulch. This needs to be 36 inches wide.

Note: Item #11 is done because I don't want to use round-up to spray against weeds. Using the fabric and mulch is better for the environment. In addition to this step, I will need to apply "Milky-Spore" and a "Grub Control" to get rid of the Japanese Beetles. I will also need to do a broadcast of fire-ant control as well.

Mid-March 2008 is shipping time for the new vine order, so steps 1-10 have to be done by March 1, 2008. Lots to do here. I will show pictures as I go along so that you can see the progress being made.

Fee free to email me any questions you might have - MAILBOX (Just click on this link)

Keep checking back weekly for updates!

Can't wait to plant!

Remember - Good Wine takes Time, both in growing and management of vine growth and care in production!

Changes in store for the vineyard

Besides building the trellises for the 14 existing rows, adding 22 new rows and building the dripline system, I also have to look at keeping the area between the vines in the rows weed and grass free. So, instead of using Round-Up Spray, I will be using a weed-blocking fabric and mulch instead. This allows me to keep the area both weed-free and also keeps the area from drying out in the heat of the summer, thus helping the vines to grow better. I noticed that effect with the mulching I did this spring around the vines I have growing now. The grass between the rows will be mowed down 1" every month or, maybe even replaced with a better ground cover, like clover or something similar.

Even though I cannot do organic 100%, I can do a little organic in the vineyard when it comes to weed control.

On the side note - I am looking into making my place more wildlife friendly. One way will be to provide nesting places for Bluebirds, among other birds, that find insects like the Japanese Beetles as meals. By bringing in more wildlife that goes for the insects, means I only have to concentrate on keeping any diseases at bay in the vineyard.

Update on Vine Growth as of August 8, 2007

The first row, which was planted in 2006, is coming along nicely. 3 vines are still growing a little slower than the others.

The English vines are also growing slowly.

The 100 vines planted this past Spring - 2 vines have not made it past the top of the 30 inch tall grow tube. All others are between 12 and 36 inches above the top of the grow tubes!

The 10 vines from Ozan Wineries - 3 are dead, 3 appear to be hit hard by the Japanese Beetles, 2 look very bushy and one has a single vine slowly growing inside a grow tube.

Grape Vine 2008 Order

The Deposit for the Spring 2008 Grape Vine Order was paid this past week.

Pest Management Guidelines

Double A Vineyards Owner, Sue Rak, recommended this site to me:

Pest Management Guidelines for Grapes

Even though it is listed for the New York and Pennsylvania areas, it still works here in Alabama.

Organic or Non-Organic Grapes??

The grapes grown here cannot be grown organically because of the diseases that they could get.

But I hope to grow some vegetables and fruits next year organically.

New Email Address for Vineyard

To all those who come to view this vineyard web blog, send emails to:

mulberrycreekvineyard@gmail.com

I would be interested to hear what you have to say.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Dirk Baeuerle,
Vintner / Proprietor

A Visitor

Yesterday, July 18th, 2007, while I was grilling some bratwursts and pork chops, I had a visitor to my grill. This somewhat large green grasshopper, approx. 1.75 inches long, clung to the back side of my molded plastic grill tray. Even though the grill was one and it was very hot, this grass hopper just hung on and did nothing. Eventually, though, it decided to hop down into the grass for a feed.