Field Notes...Morning Mist
Vineyard...
We'll be adding/correcting
these notes as various bits of scrap paper suddenly appear to help with our
aging memories. Suffice it to say, my memory says every day was a sunny
day, the view was (almost) all the way to the coast, work was easy, and
my back, knees, neck never once got sore...never!
3-3-08: Orlando showed with
crew of 4 (5 with himself). They started
pounding in the metal end posts using what is affectionately known as
'El Nino'...a 30lb. fence post pounder for large (3-1/2" diameter)
steel posts. These posts are interesting...they're left plain, thus
they rust...in effect, blending with the overall vineyard look. They
were also installing the anchors that keep the posts from tipping
inward with the weight of the grapevines (ahh, at some point in the
future).
Gary C was tilling and augering
holes for the plants...been a fairly
dry stretch and the ground is workable at this time.
3-4-08: More pounding, augering etc.
Prepping for a small area for some Christmas trees...Orlando's crew can
rotate over to planting trees when they need a break
3-5-08: Planted 55 grapes in
Block 1. There are 1485 to plant in this block.
3-6-08: Planted 25 grapes in
Block 1...this is the second stage of
block 1, and will bring the acreage up to 1-1/2 acre when we're done
later this month.Got these done at 4:40pm, just in time for a frozen
pizza to hit the oven (already warming), and Tracy out the door to a
Vineyard class at Chemeketa Community College just 30 miles down the
road...Gary P back to fields to review move of work to Block 4 tomorrow.
Today
was final day for Orlandos crew on this phase. Finished the end
posts...they did approximately 200 with same amount of anchors, around
200 trees, and picked up a couple of tons of rock....They were beat.
3-7-08: Planted 65 grapes Block 1..
Gary
C roto tilled in prep for augering Block 4 (Wads)...then strung the
postline strings. He'll next work on this Block when weather permits,
which may be Monday.
3-8-08 (Saturday): Planted 64 grapes (that's 1 row in this block)...
Tracy spent the morning at the Chemeketa vineyard winter class.
Afternoon
was spend adding in-row posts (where we had strung the fruiting wire
-39" tall), then placing bamboo stakes next to each plant with a
electrical tie holding it to the fruiting wire.
3-9-08: Planted 192 grapes
Also
planted a few more plants in the beneficial rows...these are rows the
bisect each block (seperating last years plantings from this years),
that are planted with plants we hope will encourage the beneficial
insects into the vineyard...Roses, lavender, yarrow,
We also went
to Don and Melvas farm and picked up a pickup load of last years cow
manure and added it to a personal garden area and to the compost piles.
David
and Laura stopped by on their walk and took a look at the
vineyard...They mentioned that last year we stopped by their Memorial
Day party to grab a bite and then took off to 'plant more
grapes'...geez, I hope we're done long before that this year.
3-10-08
(Monday): Planted 64 grapes just before lunch as Glenda was early, so
we had her and Sandy fielding the phones. We're done to 9 more rows in
Block 1, then we're done planting as we'll have 1-1/2 acres
completed...which is the size of each block eventually.
Gary C
started laying out hole postitions for block 4 (Wads-phase 2), got 4 rows done (around 44 plants per row in block 4)
3-11-08: Gary C did another 4 rows or so...and guessed he wouldn't be back for a few days as it looks like real rain.
3-12-08: No field work...wet
3-13-08: No field work...rain and wind.
3-14-08: Ditto
3-15-08:
Tracy to Chemeketa in am for winter vineyard course...afternoon it
dried a bit, so we strung the fruiting wire for a 1/2 dozen rows,
installing a central inline post to keep the wire off the
plants...We're going to try the fruiting wire at 39", the OVD.us
website won't even allow input in the vineyard charts for anything
greater than 36" . Hmmm (We did plant some asparagus down by the
chicken coop...next to the blueberries we put in last week).
3-16-08: 192 plants (3 rows), <6 rows to finish block 1...giving us 1-1/2 acres of 115 on 3309 rootstock.
Also got in a few more roses in the beneficial rows...this time for block 2
3-22-08:
192 plants...<3 rows to go...Also did 4 short rows of in-row posts in
block 1...some posts can be driven 2' deep with 6-8 pounds using
El Nino.
3-23-08: wet again...Earliest Easter in 80 or so years.
3-24: 1 row done
3-25:
1+ rows completed... chance of snow tomorrow...whew! We finished block
1...except for a couple of dozen plants to finish the row and do infill
if anything dies. We'll wait till fall or next spring.
Next decent weather and we start block 4 where we're planting 1485 Wads on 3309, which will complete that 1-1/2 acre block.
4-01:
Good weather is back...Orlando +3 are setting inrow posts, Gary C is
doing row 4 layout, Tracy is At Chemeketa Monday and Tuesday eve. this
spring vineyard course. The block 4 Wads are Duarte stock that is
supposedly 1 year older than the norm...I actually find less root
compaction in these than in the 115/3309 of block 1 that we recently
finished.
4-02: First row block 4 (Wads on 3309)...these rows are
shorter, running 39-44 per row. (There was additional south and west
sloping ground to the south of block 4, it's ripped and disced,
however it's also steep...so for now we've set it outside the current
deer fence.)
4-03: (Thursday). 2-1/2 rows done
4-05: Rain came in
fast (wasn't forecast last night)...called Orlando as they had just hit
the road and went on home...Gary C also stayed home. Actually a bit of
snow in the rain in the am...windy.
4-10-08
(Thursday)...cleared up a bit ...Orlando +3 back to pounding
posts...Gary C showed in afternoon to layout and drill holes...might
finish hole drilling tomorrow if all goes well.
Orlando plans to
work Friday and Saturday...which should finish posts (for this year),
and possibly move a few 'anchors' further from the post...We'll have
them install any new ones 3' from post..
Tracy saw some 'wooley bud'
on the Wad we were setting out...probably see bud break within the week
(everyone said figure on April 15th).
4-11-08:
Orlando + 3 (Francisco and a couple of others...)...pounding, some
anchor setting with a power auger rented from OVS (has an adapter for
driving anchors). Gary C finished augering holes until fall...started
on installing bamboo in block 2. Tracy and Gary did 2 rows of Wads.
Marc L worked on some equipment...riding mower (Gary later changed out
one of the blades), Gravely brush hawg, then took his shop vac and blew
a 'pull line' through a buried 4" flex pipe so we can later pull water
and power into a small greenhouse (8x12). Gary and Marc also set up a
portable generator and started on a concept to use a large drill with
an adapter to remove anchors that we earlier placed too close to the
end post (around 18", moving most to 36").
4-12-08:
130 plants by Tracy and Gary...Gary C showed up to install more bamboo
stakes. Orlando and crew no show as Orlando wasn't feeling well.
4-13.08: 120 plants plus strung fruiting wire (1 full roll of 12-1/2 ga. High Tensile)
Notes:
on plants...Wads from Duarte are showing lots of grubs, small-ivory
colored, and have been eating on the roots. We have saved a couple of
plants to send to both Duarte and perhaps the OSU Extension service.
Also put some in alcohol for the same...and have a few in a soil medium
to see what they turn into.
Last year we sent Duarte 2 items for
ID...one they said must have been picked up on the farm...yeah
right...then how come the Momtazi that was also on site showed no
similar signs...the other they conveniently 'lost ?'...It was stick
like in looks, perhaps 1-1/2" to 2+" long, maybe 1/4" diameter and even
their rep "Joel Myer" had never seen anything like it.
This year we'll keep samples for our records, give Joel, Duarte and the Extension service samples also.
4-14-08:
Gary met Joel Meyer at OVS (Joel is the Duarte nursery rep for this
area...he didn't know what it was...later came to the Vineyard and
checked the plants direct from the flats, taking 3 or so that he knew
had grubs to send along to Duarte.
4-16-08: Joel called and talked
to Tracy. Grubs are Black Vine Weavil and originated with Duarte as
they've had other reports of the same (was it also in the 115 and we
planted early enough that we didn't notice them?).
3 options:
They'll pull out all we've planted of the Wads (around 450 so far) and
dispose of those and the ones not yet planted, and perhaps provide a
chemical or ? to treat the areas (possibly) infected. Replacements in the fall.
We leave the 450 planted, they replace the balance in the fall with
fresh stock and again we treat the 450, surrounding, the gravel where
they were stored, and perhaps the 1000 plus holes we had set grapes in
but not planted.
We keep all the grapes and
they'll come out and spray or take them away to spray and then return
them later, with in ground treatment of the 450.
More on this later.
4-17-08:
We had Orlando and crew remove all unplanted Wads from block 4 and
bring to staging area for Joel to pickup tomorrow...Patti Skinlis of
OSU returned Tracy's call yesterday, however I didn't check home
messages until tonight and Trace is at her moms tonight.
Orlando +3
(Francisco, ?, ?), did 15 more end posts all we had in stock (Ken Linde
is planning to deliver another 40 by next Wednesday...should we get all
we ordered at this time?)...they also did many inrow posts, and about
3/4 hour of stacking firewood. Plan is to have them back next Thursdays
as the forecast is for rain until then.
Gary C installed the end
post tensioning wire (9 gauge) on approx 56 posts with enough wire on
the roll for another 12 or so...thus we'll need another 2 rolls of 9ga.
or 10ga soft to finish all tensioning wires....I believe he also
installed more bamboo stakes next to grape plants in block 2.
4-18-08:
Joel Myer and Bruce showed up in 2 rigs to pick up 1050 rejected
Wads...gave him copy of agreement that we requested he sign...he
declined saying he doesn't have legal authority to represent Duarte,
and will send it to the nursery owner.
Gary sent one plant to Patty Skinklis at OSU and she'll show to the resident etimologist...she should have it Monday.
rain is back...might snow here tonight or over the weekend...there goes this years cherry crop.
4-19
& 4-20: Snowed in evenings...perhaps 3/4" snow each day...melting
off throughout the day. Grapes are at 'wooley bud', cherries are in
blossom (forgot to check the plums), hope it doesn't hail too much or
no fruit crop AGAIN. Last year no cherries, plums, walnuts...what
little there was the birds and squirrels got. We ended up getting
Walnuts across the valley at Bruce's (later found out he does spray).
NO
more planting until fall for us...we're discussing how to weed etc.
around the holes we already prepared (and have end row and inrow
posts)...so that it's not a mess come fall.
Currently we'll be
planting 1/2 acre of 667 (Momtazi), and almost 1 acre of Wads (Duarte), this
fall...next spring will be 1/2 acre of 777 (perhaps talk to Momtazi, some folks in Corvallis or
Scott Neil?), as well as infill, and and acre or so of Pommard or ? in
areas left over. (we have some self rooted Pommard, some purchased, some from Chemeketa trimmings).
At
this point we'll have 7-1/2 acres and will have to decide whether it's
worth the effort to increase the acreage...we have 3 or so acres,
fairly steep, outside the deer fence to the south, and another few
acres in the woodlot south of the house that is less steep and I
believe was an orchard back in the 40's...thus 15 acres is possible if
we decide to go for a winery in the future...would increase the value of the property for some wealthy Californios also.
4-24: Has rained pretty much all week...Gary C has been in and out placing and tying bamboo stakes
4-26:
Good day, clear....Tracy and Gary strung the fruiting wire on the
balance of last years grapes so Gary C (GC), can finish the stakes.
We
also planted approx. 60 lavendar plants between end post and
anchor...this batch is Organic, from Westwind gardns in Forest
Grove...called 'Twickle Purple'...24"x24", full sun, well drained
soil...on right side of access road between block 1 and 2.
4-27: Sunday...Did another 17 lavender plants and ends of rows...same type as above.
Also planted potatoes, 3 types, some Sunchokes,
4-28, 29, 30...Gary C was here some/all of these days doing the same as above.
5-1-08:
Thursday.Gary C, back to some rototilling etc....Orlando,
Franciso, Max (Maximillan), and Antonio back, pounding posts...here
tomorrow if the rain isn't too bad..
5-2-08: Gary C strung more wire etc., Orlando switched to Saturday
5-3-08 GC and Gary strung some wire etc., Orlando +3 here.
5-4-08: Tracy and Gary sprayed beneficial nematodes on 4 rows of Wads.
5-5 Orlando +3 doing ?...GC here
5-6 Orlando missed a day...got stopped last night and insurance had expired...so off to the agent to get it reupped.
5-7
Orlando +5 (the extra 2 were part of their tree planting crew), weeded
around 1/2 of the planted vines and will be back Saturday if weather
permits.
5-8: GC finishing tightening 10 ga. end wires and
misc...layed out 3 rows next to Reisling for some own rooted Pommard we
picked up from the Chemeketa Vineyard.
First sign of mole and gopher
activity in vineyard for some time. set out traps...got the mole...had
to reset the gogher trap. Voles are still terrible...will need to get
started on hawk perches and owl boxes...got the gopher a couple of days later.
Orlando and crew off until
Saturday...they went to Junction City to set some broken posts on a 40
acre vineyard where they do a fair bit of work.
5-9: GC returned 4'
cultivator to Richard...we thought, and he thought, it was 5'...however
it was a 4' and would leave too much to weed. Even with a 5', we should
turn the rear tires 'in' to reduce the 5'4" width.
GC also
cultivated (using our 3'), approximately 1/2 of the planted rows,
including those that are layed out and drilled for the reject
Wads...we'll plant there this fall.
5-10: Orlando +5 here to
weed...perhaps they can do the Lavender and Christmas Trees if done
early enough...Some of the lavendar is really weedy.
Gary across to
use sawmill to see how it works as a reman saw...taking over both Cedar
and Fir to try...if it works will do some trading to move here for 2
weeks to mill mostly beams for a future home or tasting room (Timber
Frame style)...Orlando never showed, hope there van didn't break down again.
5-11:
Tracy and Gary strung fruiting wire in last ready rows, sprayed some
beneficial nematodes in the 667 (we still have a couple of sponges
left...1 million critters per sponge), and worked in block 1 (115),
where we've been repruning and 'flicking off' the extra buds...being
newbees when doing this block last winter we didn't prune heavy enough.
5-12: GC doing the usuals.
5-13:
Orlando plus 4 showed for additional weeding today...they got
redirected to a 40 acre vineyard last week when 1 crew of 4 failed to
show. As we have told Orlando and Martine..."Use us for filler...just
keep us advised".
Gary C was watering beneficials, and end row
lavenders in preparation for the 3 days of hot weather forcast in a
couple of days (up to 90 degrees)
5-14:
Orlando sent Miguel and Jose (brothers), with 3 (4?) others...finished
the weeding (this round), including Lavender, Christmas Trees and
misc...also did 6 bins of rocks (this is 1/2 barrels of small rocks out
of rows), and raked out and finished laying concrete scraps for border
of garden area to N or barn...looks good.
5-15: GC showed to install
some ties on the bamboo stakes...earlier Tracy (TJ), debudded another
row in block 1...about a dozen done...this is the block where we did
the poorest pruning as it was our first (read "just couldn't bring
ourselves to prune to 2 buds"), however, by the next block TJ was
further along with the Chemeketa course and we hit the pruning with a
vengence.
5-16-Friday--disbudding block 1, temp very hot
5-17-Saturday--disbudding block 1, misc grape rows, very hot
5-18-Sunday--GC off, disbudding block 4, temp in 80's
5-19-Monday--GC
finished tying off, augered row for rootstock & misc, watered
beneficials and end row lavenders. Chemeketa Open House in evening/wine
tasting
5-20-Tuesday--rained out, no GC
5-21-Wednesday-tj
& gsp disbudded 2 rows, no GC...TJ later disbudded an additional 2
rows of Wads-block 4 and 2 short rows in block 2-667
5-22-TJ did 1
row starting at 6am...gsp working on 'mantis' cultivator...to ready for
gc to try out...does get out all the crab (?) grass easily...best is to
go back and quickly use a how to catch last couple of weed roots and
level area back out.
GC
also saw 2 deer inside fence...gsp went
along to chicken coop and walded East along fence line, eventually saw
1 of the deer...saw the fence wiggle a couple of times in the distance,
and finally assumed they had both jumped it...as they were not to be
seen. We'll check again later in the day...our main gate is still only
4' tall and there is 1 spot in the fence to beef up. gsp later
disbudded 3 short rows...2 in block 2 (667), and 1 at the far back end
of block 3 (777)
5-23-Friday...disbudding
couple of rows...gc using Mantis, shovel and hoe. Mantis doesn't like
the big crab grass or the tall clover.
Dogs chased 2 deer out of north end of block one this evening...when gsp walked back there they had already cleared the fence.
5-24-Sat...2
rows in block 4 disbudded...1-1/2 to go...This puts us slightly over
1/3 done...gc here using Mantis etc...he's finding he has to use a
shovel on some of the largest clumps of grass. We're considering
getting Orlando's crew back for another day to get caught up.
TJ and
GSP visited Coeur de Terre...Scott and Lisa Neal on Eagle Point Road.
This is the 2nd Memorial Day weekend they've been open. Nicely setup
and run...you basically go station to station (read wine barrel to wine
barrel), with stops at the excellent cheese spread, with the last stop
being the barrel tastings...Scott mentioned they dropped fruit last
harvest to slightly over 1 ton per acre to hasten the ripening
process...and then found only 8 of 20 pickers showed...they went dawn
to dark with a bit of financial incentive...humerous to consider that
we had left a message earlier asking if they could use some volunteer
help, however they were too busy to get back to us at the time...and we
probably weren't explicit enough in our message.
An interesting note
on our visit to Coeur de Terre...They're organic (that's what were
planning also), so we took a walk in the vineyard...and saw they had
approximately the same amount of deer damage, shoot thinning and
weeding to accomplish as we do...made us feel a bit better...They did
have 3 workers in the vines weeding as we were there.
5-25-Sun...Tj
and Gsp have been together 18 years...finished disbudding block 4...Tj
later did a couple of rows in block 2. Gsp used trimmer in crabgrass
etc. to see if that helps the Mantis tiller...fixed a couple of areas
on the deer fence...including about 200 5' bamboo stakes woven into the
top at 18"-36" apart. We'll see how this works. Evening we went to
David and Lauras annual Memorial Day shindig...raing held off, lots of
grub...lots of interesting folks.
5-26-Monday-Memorial Day...Shelah has been here 2 days and left mid afternoon...always a big help
We
disbudded 2 rows in block 3...48 total rows to disbud....also planted
some own rooted Pommard (50 plants), and close to 50 end row lavender
plants. TJ also (yesterday?), planted some beneficials...we also
rototilled for more vegetable garden space...so far we have potatoes,
lettuce, asparagus, rhubarb, peppers, beans (pole and bush), and
peas...still to add, more peppers (hot), and a couple of kinds of corn.
We also have raspberries, blackberries-wild, cherries, plums, filberts,
and walnuts (all growing around the border areas), plus several apples
trees here and there. Starting to add up...now I'm realizing why there
is no such thing as "free time".
5-27-Tuesday...disbudded 3 rows, working in block 2 (667 from Momtazi). GC using shovel and Mantis on weeds
5-28-Wednesday...disbudded
3 rows, GC same ole, same ole...plus retilled rows weed to chop up the
stuff thrown into the aisles. He also watered end row beneficials
(lavender and roses), or is setting up to do Thursday.
TJ set up
with Sam Tanahill to come visit Monday after lunch...he's the reason we
go into this. I believe Sam is into Organic/Biodynamic, so we'll have
plenty of questions for him.
5-29-Thurs. GC here weeding and tilling. 4 rows disbudded
5-30-Friday: 4 rows disbudded...GC here weeding and tilling
5-31-Sat:
Disbudded 3 rows block 2, worked on weeding decorative garder to right
of vineyard entrance road...used string trimmer between some grapes to
knock done weed...in preparation of going over the ground with the
Mantis tiller (Which we dropped off at the shop...1 week new...carb
problem I believe). GC here weeding and tilling. Picked up a taping
machine at OVS and talked to an interesting sales rep "Carol" who
has a vineyard and is planning a winery (turns out this is Carol
Chambers),...very helpful, whereas Mark at
OVS tends to disappear when he sees a customer coming, particularly
female...unless you grab his attention...literally...with a direct
question...don't believe he's a 'May I help you sort'...although, once
you get him going he's a wealth of great information. We did a
quick install on the Weatherstation today...wind, rain, humidity...
6-1-08-Sunday:
Cloudy and cool...disbudded 2 rows in block 2 before brekkie. GC
off on Sundays.2 rows in evening...right up to 'Can't See'...during the
day we mowed, gravleyed, pressure washed and generally tidied outside.
6-2-Monday.
TJ up and at it a 5:30...with GP disbudded two rows...GC weeding in
Reisling and ...Sam Tanahill and Nadine ___ of A to Z, stopped
by...discussed soil type, health of vines (didn't see any signs of
powdery mildew), talked briefly about grower/buyer relationship
options, biodynamic (that's the direction they're drifting),
6-3-Tuesday:
4 rows disbudded. Started 2 at 'Can See" and finished 2 at 'Can't
See"...GP & TJ taped first 6 rows of block 1...this is the tallest
stuff and we're getting worried it was going to break off in the wind.
6-4-Wednesday: 2 rows disbudded in am-muddy...TJ did another 1-1/2 rows in pm to finish block 2.
6-5-Thursday:
Disbudded 1-1/2 rows in block 4...Gc is using his weed eater to level
the clover so he can weed. GP tied off 1 row in block 1 in the evening
6-6-Friday: Raining all day so far...no field work
6-7-Saturday: Disbudded either 2 or 4 rows...we've forgotten.
6-8-Sunday: Disbudded 2 long rows and taped 1 row (in block 1)
6-9-Monday:
GC doing weedeater on some tilling/weeding using Troyblt...TJ and GP
disbudded 1 row (75 plants...and were late to work by 45
minutes),...somewhere around a dozen rows in block 3 and we'll be
finished disbudding...Windy today, 10-20 mph
6-10-Tuesday:
Wet and Windy...7-15mph...no work in Vineyard as of 3:30pm...did 2 rows
debud and 1 row tape in evening...pretty wet.
6-11-Wednesday:
Improving...1 row debud in am, 2 rows tape in pm...also went through
table grapes and taped/retaped what was need (we're trying to hit a 6'
fruiting wire on some of these)...I think GC was here?
6-12-Thursday: Better weather...1 row debud, 1 row taped. GC here.
6-13-Friday:
1-1/2 rows taped in block 1, plus TJ weeded around some end row
Lavender...GC was here...We plan to call Orlando and see if we can get
6 to weed etc. for one to finish some of the tougher stuff so GC can
double back and start some of the easier places.
6-14-Saturday:
2 rows debudded in block 4, block 1 taped and partially retaped (we
actually have some in block one within 3" of the fruiting
wire-39")...part of block 2 taped...GC off both Sat/Sun. Planted
the nonsweet corn today out near the big Oak.
6-15-Sunday:
2 rows
debudded (6 to go for the season), some taping in block 2, plus TJ
placing a 1/2 cup of kelp granules around block 2 plants and litely
raking it in...this on the advice of Nadine of A to Z...will continue
doing this until block 2 is done, unless we get past mid summer.
Planted some
Sunflowers in upper block 1 beneficial row
6-16-Monday:GC doing weeding, TJ and GP doing disbudding, some taping and kelp
6-17-Tuesday: Ditto...some Marachel Foch hit the wire as well as our first plant in block 1.
6-18-Wednesday: Ditto...finished disbudding...weather this week has been dry, some cloudy and low 60's.
6-19-Thursday: GC doing usual...nice weather
6-20-Friday: GC off thru Sunday...bit of taping
6-21-Saturday:
Martine plus six (3 women?) for 8 hours...7:15-4:00 or
thereabouts...GSP taping, tractor, tilling block 6 (home block), TJ in
town for Mandi's graduation
6-22-Sunday: Finished taping block
1...including a bit of weeding close to base of each plant, checking
for cut worms in the soil if any damage to plant top (think we found 2
total)...TJ continuing in block 2 with 1/2 cup of kelp granules on each
plant.
6-23-Monday: Francisco (not the Franciso who helped Orlando pound posts), plus 5 others in 2 rigs (same 3 women
again)...weeding this years block 4, and most all of block 1....they
drifted into block 2 (which is pretty clean and was holding for GC to
work on), so GSP put up a white clothesline rope between the 2 blocks.
GC tilled unplanted holes in block 4 and all of last years block 1 to
make weeding easier...he also weedeatered around the bamboo and the
row to Christmas trees on the bank along the warehouse.
TJ to Chemeketa classes...different instructor this term
6-24-Tuesday:
Franciso + 5 (Antonio, Fidel, Veronica, Adelia, ..Antonio probably
speaks fair English.) weeding unplanted
holes in block 4, also finished block 1...also did bamboo, dug up
bulbs, and weeded Christmas trees in single row along warehouse.
6-25-Wednesday: Some taping and kelp I believe...TJ to Chemeketa in evening. GC watering beneficial and end row non-grape plants
6-26-Thursday:
Fair bit of taping...seeing surprising amount of die off of last
years plants in block 2...we'll need to call Renee or Moe to see if one
will stop by...these had looked good and robust earlier in the season
and it's been a cool enough season that it's not water or heat
stress...no gophers, and don't see any visible disease or pest damage.
GC augered holes for Ginko trees, finished watering beneficials
6-27-Friday:
Hot...high 80's...pretty much out of vineyard today, GC off till
Mon...spare time early am spent watering susceptable plants in other
gardens, tomatoes, cucs , willows.
6-28-Saturday: Got to 98 today...we did some taping and application of kelp early and that's it.
6-29-Sunday:
Faked everyone out...not nearly as hot (they were expecting a Saturday
repeat...got mid 80's)...minimal field work, watering
6-30-Monday:
Taped more in block 3...this is the 777 that we planted last year...I'm
hustling thru this batch so the winds don't break them off. Some almost
hit the wire (39"), when they're stood up. Showed GC how to use tapener
both for laying over and taping to the wire and taping to the
bamboo...he also did some watering in block 2 where TJ had done the
kelp (about 1/3 of the block).
7-1-08-Tuesday:
probably hit 80, Hazy from all the California fires...and we're 300
miles N of the California border. GP Taping block 4...9 rows to
go....then it's back to block 2 or 4 for final taping on bamboo and
removing all but the main stem. TJ raking in Kelp in block 2...GC doing
some taping.
GP also working on rotovator, broke the master link.
7-2-08:
Wednesday...warm, slightly humid. TJ gone for day, GP walked block 1
and took out 'doubles' and tied up the slowest growing...with a bit
of work on tying to fruiting wire. GC finished a quick tie off in block
3 (for wind breakage), then back to block 2 to use the rototiller
(Mantis) in the upper rows...in preparation for spreading kelp and
raking it in...he'll following with a watering in a couple of days if
there has been no rain.
7-3-08:
Thursday...GC here...TJ and GP in field early...can't remember what we
did...GC hours for last month 84...shows how far behind we'd be without
the help.
7-4-08:
Friday...Taped a couple of rows, then disc'd the area above block 1-2
in preparation for seeding...buckwheat where we want to plant this
fall, clover and oats where we won't plant until next spring. We took a
walk with Shelah, Les and Louise, showed them the grapes, cherries
(munched a few), and a look at an apple and walnut that are growing in
the hedgerow between the edge of the property and the county road.
7-5-08:
Saturday...bit of rain o'nite...still in 70's. Worked a bit in block 4
(Wads), taping and pruning to 1 shoot when possible...4 of 13 rows
done. Set out some gopher traps...seems to be a lot of sign all of a
sudden. TJ and Shelah planted 17 Ginko trees in a line parallel to the
big warehouse (parallel also to a row of Christmas Trees that will be
gone in a few years. The Ginkos will be kept to 12' so we can harvest
the leaves every year.
7-6-08-Sunday...warming...some
taping...went to Fresh Palate cafe for 'brunch'...$50 for 3 people (we
took Shelah), without alcolhol. Finished the decorative garden next to
the new small greenhouse...the bigger chunk next to it (by the barn),
we tilled..
7-7-08-Monday: GC taping in block 1 and kelp
granuales in block 2...TJ and GP in block 4...did 4 rows including the
2 in the evening when TJ is at Chemeketa Vineyard mgmt class...less
than 20% are to the fixed wire (whereas more than 80% are in block 1).
7-8-08-Tuesday:
TJ and GP finished taping block 4...that puts us 1/3 done with pruning
to one stalk...GC started watering this years plantings...he rigged a
pallet on the back of the tractor on the 3 point to carry the 125
gallon water tank...much more stable than on the front.
7-9-Wednesday: regular stuff
7-10-Thursday: regular stuff...TJ to town early so no field work for her.
7-11-Friday:
GC doing watering and some kelp in block 2 (677)...TJ and GP some
taping...Heather of Miller Consulting installed the weather software so
we can access from all network computers...hopefully we'll get the 2nd
remote transciever working this weekend (soil moisture/temp,
leaf),...90 today.
7-12-Saturday: GC here early watering...in the
90's today. GP used string trimmer under wild cherry trees for easier
access...TJ and GP later picked 13lbs...these are very small compared
to the store bought type, but good. Drying some and cooked and kept
juice for jelly with the rest.
7-13-Sunday: GC off, GP and TJ some
taping and shoot thinning in block 2 (we still are cutting the 'double'
out of many plants)....minor progress on rotovator...picked a few
cherries for TJ to take to the Yamhill Lavender festival for Shelah. High 80's today
7-14-Monday: I think GC was off today...we did some block 2 work...TJ evening class
7-15-Tuesday:
GC rest of week...water, some weed, roto the upper area where we're
still breaking in oak and clover cuttings for a fall planting. TJ and
GC block 2
7-16-Wednesday: same
7-17-Thursday: same
7-18-Friday: same
7-19-Saturday:
Tracy at Highland Games, GC off Sat/Sun...GP installed the 3 soil
moisture and 1 soil temp in block one...still don't know how to access
the information...Watered all day, mostly sprinklers on produce and
decorative gardens. Picked enough cherries to load the dryer and have
some left over...Taped and pruned 1 row in block 2...Did maintenance on
tractor, rotovator, some on Gravely (2 wheel walk behind brush mower).
7-20-Sunday:
In 80's TJ and GP did a bit in home block...this is the only place
we're finding a bit of the verinia mite (sp)...makes the bumps on the
grape leaves...also picked more Cherries...these we cooked till the
skins burst, then mash thru a strainer and refrigerate the juice...for
jelly or wine?
7-21-Monday: GC watering with 100 gallon tank on back
of tractor, TJ and GP finished working home block...even picked up some
of the rock so GC can move the 3 rock 'buckets' and do a quick roto
thru this area.
Tuesday: GC doing same through Thursday
Wednesday: GP and TJ Partial rows in am
Thursday: GP and TJ finished partials, plus 1 more, plus GP did an additional in evening.
Friday:
TJ gone in am...GP prune and tape 1 row block 2 (about 4 rows to
go)...GC Watering, Ginkos and Christmas Trees in row alongside...taping
in block 1 (115), trimming the horizontal leader to 4' and cutting
short any long stems that lay into the row and could get caught by the
tractor (Remember; We're still growing the trunk, so there are leaves
to nearly the the ground).
Saturday: GC off weekend...TJ and GP some taping/pruning
Sunday:
7-27-08: ditto. Jacque showed up in evening to help in office and with
catalog...this means GP is straight to office in mornings to prep work
for her Mon.-Wed.
Monday:
GC watering...GP to office early to prep for Jacque helping with
LHS catalog...TJ 1 row (home block), and to Vineyard class in evening.
Tuesday: Light rain started...so GC left after a couple of hours...TJ a batch of Cherry Jam from juice we cooked up over the weekend.
Wednesday:
GC doing usual rest of week...stayed more in the 60-70's this week...TJ
to vineyard class at chemekata in evening, at which time Jacque also
went home
Thursday: TJ and GP doing usuals in vineyard Thurs/Fri.
Friday:
Saturday:
GC off the weekend. We did 4 rows in block 3 (775), as well as picked
more cherries...the dark maroon ones....which we pitted enough to fill
the dryer, and make 3 berry/cherry cobblers...way to go Trace...and her
sister, Jacque visiting while on a wheat free regime...more for
us :)
Sunday: August 3rd. TJ and GP watered perimeter plants, including bamboo,
Christmas Trees, Ginkos, and line along road...also did 4 rows in block
3 (This is our last block that needs the 2nd (backup) shoot removed,
and in some cases, the main shoot laid and taped to the fixed wire. We
also cleaned up our 2 rows of Reisling...we need 11 replacements for 88
total, not very good in this batch...We'll probably order these from
Momtazi.
Monday:
TJ finishing watering Trees early to free up tank for GC. GP straight
to office to prep catalog work for Jacque...same Tues. Wed.. for GP
Tuesday:TJ did 1 row...GC here
Wednesday:TJ did 1 row...school in evening...GC here
Thursday:TJ and GP 3 rows...TJ did one solo in evening while GP took pop to dinner...GC off a bit early
Friday:TJ and GP 2 rows block 3...about 7 to go...GC here
Saturday:GC here till noon watering and light mantis weeding
Sunday: August 10. Did 1 row in block 3 with TJ and GP...and picked another 15 pounds of cherries
Monday:
Discussed watering with GC as some plants are showing water
stress...result was GP finished plumbing in hose bib near block 1,
which makes a closer tank filling location...we also set up 2 hoses so
we can fill in around 15 minutes. GC is also coming in earlier and
occasionally coming back in the even to put out a couple of tanks
Tuesday: Did 1 row in block 3 with TJ and GP...and picked another 15 pounds of cherries
Wednesday:
GC still watering...TJ and GP went to last day of TJ's Chemeketa
class...held at the Olson family vineyards, where Dean _____ is the
manager.
Thursday: Starting today, forcast is 95+ degrees
Friday: GP off to Sunset C in afternoon....kept everyone hopping being 2 short at LHS...GC watering
Saturday: Too hot to work...over 95
Sunday: August 17th, 08.
Monday:
TJ planted some end row Roses in evening...and did a bit in the home
block early on...GC watering...left when rain started, came back later
with raingear. Temperature dropped quickly from 90's on Saturday.
Tuesday:
Actually rained a fair bit today...1/10 of an inch...seems wet...puts
us up to 1/4" since Sunday eve or whenever it started. GC here briefly
in am, then off. 60 degree high.
Wednesday:
Thursday:started drying out, maybe mid 70's...probably 2-1/2 weeks behind on degree days.
Friday: Prepped the areas for the Oats and Clover
Saturday: Spread Oat and Clover seed in small blocks that won't be planted till spring.
Sunday: August 25th, 08. TJ and GP did 2 rows...3-1/2 to go....started raining in afternoon...should be good for Oats.
Monday:
Did another row...GC started laying out for fall planting in Block 2
Tuesday:
GC cutting some firewood and more layout...TJ and GP finished the final
2-1/2 rows in block 3 where we still needed to prune to one leader...so
all is done...weeding is currently under control, thanks to GC, and
most plants are properly taped. Weather nice,,,in 70's
Wednesday:GC doing layout, weed control, firewood
Thursday:ditto
Friday:ditto
Saturday: Went to coast to see pop...took Shelah with us.
Sunday: August 31st, 08. TJ and GP pounded 4 more end posts that encompass the Pommard that we grew.
Monday:
Labor Day
Tuesday:
GC started watering grapes for final time this season...with the fairly
wet summer (no woods shut downs), and the average of 3 waterings of 1
gallon each, the plants are looking good.
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
TJ and GSP went to a "grape day", south of Amity at "Lake
County "...a subsidiary of a California grape plant grower...we
may try some of their 777.
Saturday:
Sunday: September 7, 2008
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday: GC finished up watering all plants again...we discussed
the possibility of 1 last rewater of the 08 plantings as the next 3
days are expected to hit 90 degrees. TJ doing some row work? GSP in the
office early
Thursday:GC off till Monday
Friday:
TJ is attempting to contact grape plant suppliers to arrange delivery
times (October and spring?)...then we'll know when to prep/auger the
balance of the holes...trying to dodge the harvest confusion.
Saturday:TJ gone today
Sunday: September 14: worked on pak blast sprayer a bit
Monday:
GC back to watering...again...as we've had several 90 degree days....again...late in the season for this area.
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday: Picked up 11 flats of 36 plants
of Momtazi order of 667/101-14...GC drilled several hundred holes...TJ
and GP planted 1 flat in evening. GP attended 'Grape Maturation" day at
Chemeketa...
Saturday:
Sunday: September 21 TJ to Run for the cure today with her mom.
Monday:
Orlando may show with 5 others to pound posts and move firewood.
Tuesday:
Orlando and Martin plus 4 others here a second day...moved all firewood and pounded all posts in balance of block 2.
Wednesday:
Thursday: GC back to watering a second time...thinks they're getting 2 gallons each this time
Friday: TJ will pick up the balance of the Momtazi order today
Saturday: Picking up some Bearded Iris from "Tom and Ellen _____ "...
Sunday:
September 28: Planted all the Iris today...got 75 clumps from the 25 or
so, varieties we rec'd...did a quick watering on these and the weekend
planted grapes to hold until tomorrow
Monday:
I think GC was later or off today, GP watered some later in the day (?)
Tuesday:
TJ to class...GP did a row, leaving 40 plants in 3 short rows to go.
Wednesday: TJ and GP finished the last 3 rows at the top of block 2
Thursday:
GC battened down some 'hatches'...tarps over some firewood
piles...tractor into barn. TJ to class, GP started planting the
'infill' in block 2...got the first 13 rows done (only a half dozen or
so plants)...probably <50 infill plants to go.
Friday: Constistent rain, some wind...GC off today
Saturday: Heavy rain and wind again...no field work
Sunday: October 5
Monday:
Expecting delivery of Duarte Wads/101-14 that are the replacements for the ones we rejected last spring.
Tuesday:
GC has been doing the yard tidy...stack firewood, move stuff to back
side of warehouse...this all week. GSP planted a few replacements in
block 2. TJ to Vineyard management class.
Wednesday:TJ and GP did a few more replacements in block 2
Thursday: TJ to Vineyard Management class...actual harvest of pinot grapes...got 1.8 tons an acre
Friday: GC digging up dead plants in blocks 1 and 3 (less than 2%)...also finishing walnut firewood
Saturday: TJ at Hlsbro...GP and Bill P working on wood boiler
Sunday: October 12...TJ and GP planted a row
Monday:
GC cutting some maples etc. below the greenhouse in preparation for the brush mower...TJ and GP planted 2 rows
Tuesday:
GC cutting...no planting...TJ at class in eve...some pick and test
Wednesday: Moby's 40th...GC doing bamboo and ties...no planting
Thursday: TJ's mid term...class picking chardonnay
Friday:
GC off...TJ and Gp planted 1` row block 4, plus GP did block 4 infill
while TJ planted garden to N of barn. Approximately 22 rows still to go
Saturday:
Sunday: October 19
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday: Terry Von brought big brush mower and cat and he and GC worked all day on access roads. 1 row planted
Sunday: October 26th...Happy Bday TJ...
Monday:
Same as Saturday
Tuesday:
Same as Yesterday...done early ... TJ to class
Wednesday: GC I believe cleaned some stuff up prior to the rains
Thursday:
Marc L showed at 3 am to borrow car...put his in a ditch...turned
out car was okay. TJ missied first class in a year...we were busy and
forgot
Friday: I think we got 1 row in...around 9 rows to go. Started raining
Saturday:
Volunteer 'Reising Day' at Amity Vineyards...very nice...down home
people. Marc L showed for 1-1/2 hours to work on wood boiler electrical.
Sunday: November 2, 08...Rain...TJ and GSP seeded the 2 lower roads that go to the big beaver pond...replanted 4 apple trees and 1 fig
Monday:
Rain...supposedly the next 10 days.
Tuesday:
Delivered load of gravel for entry driveway. GSP to Amity to pick up wooden spoon...TJ to class
Wednesday: 2nd load of driveway gravel...rain
Thursday: Rain, warm
Friday: Got
1 row in, 8 to go...GC stopped by to clean up driveway...back blade new
gravel...think he was bored sitting at home with this weather.
Saturday:
Sunday: Nov. 9th1 row in
Monday:
1 row in
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday: Nov. 16th
Monday:
Tuesday:
SOLD THE TERRATRAC!
Wednesday:
Thursday: 1/2 row done...1 to go
Friday:
Saturday: Last row done...next work will be pruning :(
Sunday: Nov. 23th.
Monday:
Tuesday: Tracy's last day of class...she has now finished the basic 4 terms of vineyard management.
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday: Nov. 30th
Monday:
TJ started pruning to 2 buds newest stuff in block 4
Tuesday: TJ and GP did pruning
Wednesday: TJ pruning...signed up for Winter term...beginning wine making
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday: Pruned balance of 08 plantings in block 4 (Wads)
Sunday: Dec. 7th... Pruned 3 rows block 3...this is 07 stock as we won't plant the last 1/2 acre until spring 09
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: TJ and GSP did some pruning in block 2
Friday: wet, wet, wet...forcast is high winds and snow over the next 3-10 days...and a low of 12 degrees possible
Saturday
Sunday: Dec.14:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Somewhere in this dateline we hit temps dropping into the teens
or single digits...with very little snow on the ground. Our worry is
the graft union freezing on the new young stuff
Friday:
Saturday
Sunday: Dec. 21: Heavy snows started...power etc. out by evening...through the week we lost many big trees etc.
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday Finally got power back on...we had 27" of snow total. Earlier, we went to the library to use their computer for orders
Sunday: Dec. 28: Finally got phones back
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: Jan. 1, 09...non-stop rain...windy
Friday:
Saturday pruned a row in block 1
Sunday: Jan 4, 09 pruned a row in block 1...lite snow overnight.
Monday:
pruned a row in block 1
Tuesday: rain...pruned a row in block 1
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday: drying trend...2 rows done
Sunday: Jan 11, 09 ...1 row pruned
Monday: 1 row
Tuesday 1 row
Wednesday: 1 row..
Thursday: still dry mid 20's in am...
Friday:
Saturday
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday