Vineyard Management Practices
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mdbarb
Gold Member
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Hey!
A while back I "dressed my pond..."
And now you clothed your terrace!
Amazing what we can learn to do here at TBN /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Bill in PGH, PA
A while back I "dressed my pond..."
And now you clothed your terrace!
Amazing what we can learn to do here at TBN /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Bill in PGH, PA
mdbarb
Gold Member
And I'll accessorize it in the spring?
RFischer
Silver Member
Looks like a hillside in Italy. Really cool.
akman
Bronze Member
Hi All,
Just ordered 1,450 Cab Franc #1 on 101-14 for planting this spring. We also bought from Sunridge nurseries in CA. They came highly recomended by our consultant and several other vineyards here in the know.
First 2 acres of ground is prepped and will begin setting end posts for Scott-Henry trellis system later this month. Still haven't decided on whether we'll use metal or wood posts. The wood ones look nicer (more rustic), but the metal ones cost about the same, are much easier (less labor) to install etc...
Attended new growers seminar at VA Tech in Winchester recently. Very informative course hosted by Dr. Tony Wolf who is an expert in NOVA.
Tony
Just ordered 1,450 Cab Franc #1 on 101-14 for planting this spring. We also bought from Sunridge nurseries in CA. They came highly recomended by our consultant and several other vineyards here in the know.
First 2 acres of ground is prepped and will begin setting end posts for Scott-Henry trellis system later this month. Still haven't decided on whether we'll use metal or wood posts. The wood ones look nicer (more rustic), but the metal ones cost about the same, are much easier (less labor) to install etc...
Attended new growers seminar at VA Tech in Winchester recently. Very informative course hosted by Dr. Tony Wolf who is an expert in NOVA.
Tony
mdbarb
Gold Member
But you have the post hole digger so you would forget the labor soon but the look is forever.
I think I will be using a modified scott henry also. My rows are 8' apart and I will be planting close - 24-30 inches apart.
I wont be putting post in for a little while. I need to surround the whole thing with a fence to keep the deer out - maybe incorporate the fence with the posts. But I want to avoid a tall wall effect as I drive up the driveway.
projects, projects, projects...
I think I will be using a modified scott henry also. My rows are 8' apart and I will be planting close - 24-30 inches apart.
I wont be putting post in for a little while. I need to surround the whole thing with a fence to keep the deer out - maybe incorporate the fence with the posts. But I want to avoid a tall wall effect as I drive up the driveway.
projects, projects, projects...
akman
Bronze Member
First thing we did this summer was put up Six foot, Six wire energized HT exclusion fence. Gave me real practice using the new phd (86 12x36" holes !). the HT wire is almost invisible so shouldn't deter from the vineyard look. I think we tend to agree with your take on the look vs. labor thing. Actually, with the soil prep pretty much complete, drilling holes in the prepped soil will be much easier than the original stuff.
mdbarb
Gold Member
Tell me more about "Six foot, Six wire energized HT exclusion fence" where do you get it? is it to keep deer out?
akman
Bronze Member
Basically got the info from a fencing book.
Using 4x4 CCA treated lumber. Built "H" support braces for every end / corner of the property. Strung six strands of 12 guage high tensile (HT) galvanized wire down each run (longest run 860'). Used insulators at each line post / wire connection. Tension the wire with in line wire tensioners.
The fence totally encloses our "back ten" acre vineyard site. The lower wire is set at about 4" to keep out smaller grape eaters. Highest wire is at six feet. In our area we do not have a deer problem, but we figured the investment in grapes is more than worth the addional cost of this fence.
Total cost not counting the labor was about $1800 for everything (including charger and two access gates).
From our research, this type of fence is the most widely used and successful type on vineyards where external pests are a threat.
Hope this helps.
Tony
Using 4x4 CCA treated lumber. Built "H" support braces for every end / corner of the property. Strung six strands of 12 guage high tensile (HT) galvanized wire down each run (longest run 860'). Used insulators at each line post / wire connection. Tension the wire with in line wire tensioners.
The fence totally encloses our "back ten" acre vineyard site. The lower wire is set at about 4" to keep out smaller grape eaters. Highest wire is at six feet. In our area we do not have a deer problem, but we figured the investment in grapes is more than worth the addional cost of this fence.
Total cost not counting the labor was about $1800 for everything (including charger and two access gates).
From our research, this type of fence is the most widely used and successful type on vineyards where external pests are a threat.
Hope this helps.
Tony
wasabi
Platinum Member
mdbarb - Terracing and the rock wall along drive looks great!. Did all those rocks come from your clearing efforts? What did you decide to use as a cover crop?
mdbarb
Gold Member
We have some Sonoma fieldstone but not nearly enuf so we have to actually buy rocks. They are pretty cheap , its the labor that's the killer. Gluttons for punishment, we are seriously considering putting stone walls along the front of each terrace. It would lok great as we leave the driveway.
For cover crop I used 60% Blano Brom 40% subterrianian (sp ?) clover (tri color mix) I chose these because they are quick rootng, good erosion control, endure foot traffic, only grow 6-12" and are non invasive to the grapes. For fun I was going to alternate the rows with clover then Brom but at the last minute just mixed them all together. I'll probably do that with something else another time - I just wanted to get some erosion control in fast for this winter.
I'll post pictures as the rock walls progress.
For cover crop I used 60% Blano Brom 40% subterrianian (sp ?) clover (tri color mix) I chose these because they are quick rootng, good erosion control, endure foot traffic, only grow 6-12" and are non invasive to the grapes. For fun I was going to alternate the rows with clover then Brom but at the last minute just mixed them all together. I'll probably do that with something else another time - I just wanted to get some erosion control in fast for this winter.
I'll post pictures as the rock walls progress.
Hey Barb, Yeah I went dormant for a while - No pun intended. I still haven't leaped off the cliff and ordered m y root stock yet. We moved in to the new house in July and I just haven't found the time (or money) to get everything ready for the grapes. My wife had to have her Corral for the horses so that took top billing.
Latest I've heard is that over the last ten years, CA grape acerage has been doubled. About 40% of that was planted in the last 2-3 years and will start producing this coming fall (03). I've also heard that some of the high end wineries that are flush with unbottled wine will start to bottle under different brands so as not to dilute their high end brand - Should be some good buy's over the next few years if you know who's doing what under which label.
Your terrace looks good, naked or clothed - I see you still have to put your drip system but your definately ready for rootstock. Talk to you later and happy new year.
Latest I've heard is that over the last ten years, CA grape acerage has been doubled. About 40% of that was planted in the last 2-3 years and will start producing this coming fall (03). I've also heard that some of the high end wineries that are flush with unbottled wine will start to bottle under different brands so as not to dilute their high end brand - Should be some good buy's over the next few years if you know who's doing what under which label.
Your terrace looks good, naked or clothed - I see you still have to put your drip system but your definately ready for rootstock. Talk to you later and happy new year.
mdbarb
Gold Member
Well not quite ready... between now and March I need to install a deer fence around the whole thing and end posts at each row. I'm just trying to decide if I am going to do rock walls at the face of each terrace.
Since my wife is a landscape contractor I think the irrigation thing is handled
Since my wife is a landscape contractor I think the irrigation thing is handled
mdbarb
Gold Member
mdbarb
Gold Member
mdbarb
Gold Member
Ok - the fence is in and I don't have to worry about deer.
Now I can worry about the grapes.
The current worry: Chardonnay is especially susceptible
to powdery mildew and the preventive is sulpher dusting which should begin when the vines are just a few inches long.
Stupid question: How do I dust sulpher on a vineyard of this scale?
I see pictures of tractors and planes dusting large fields but how do I properly dust when my plants are still contained within the grow tubes?
Now I can worry about the grapes.
The current worry: Chardonnay is especially susceptible
to powdery mildew and the preventive is sulpher dusting which should begin when the vines are just a few inches long.
Stupid question: How do I dust sulpher on a vineyard of this scale?
I see pictures of tractors and planes dusting large fields but how do I properly dust when my plants are still contained within the grow tubes?
StoneHeartFarm
Veteran Member
Maybe a kitchen sifter? The kind used for flour? Or would this not work with sulfur?
Steve
Steve