Sunday, 31 January 2010
Saturday, 30 January 2010
January 30th, 2010
Following the visit from John and the reassurance that he has given me my focus will shift away from post bashing to pruning. This is one of the most important stages in the vineyard year as the actions taken now will shape the development of the vine for the next few years. We are using the Guyot system developed in the mid 1800's in France by Jules Guyot. Guyot is used throughout France and the rest of the world. It is widely regarded as the best system for vineyard management, yield and of course, producing quality fruit. The methodology involves selecting 1 (single) or 2 (double) fruiting canes that are tied to a fruiting wire. The buds produce shoots that contain bunches of grapes - simple eh? Well yes and no - we will find out over the next few years. The system is based on the fact that grapes form on the previous years growth or wood. Therefore, it is essential to select the correct canes to (a) prune away and therefore,(b) to retain for fruiting. Make the wrong decision and you do not have any friut!!
We are pruning the vines that made the most growth to ~700mm, this will be the height of the permanent leg of the vine. Hopefully, from the top of this leg we will retain the growth from 1 or 2 canes that will then become the fruiting canes for next year.
So that is the theory I'm going out now to put it into practice
We are pruning the vines that made the most growth to ~700mm, this will be the height of the permanent leg of the vine. Hopefully, from the top of this leg we will retain the growth from 1 or 2 canes that will then become the fruiting canes for next year.
So that is the theory I'm going out now to put it into practice
January 29th, 2010
I had a visit today from John the Agronomist. We walked through the vineyard looking for problems etc. He also gave me advise on the trellising, pruning and bud selection etc. I always look forward to visits from John as he provides much welcome feed back from a professional perspective. In such a new venture with no experience or formal training expert help is critical. It can be a lonely place - making an important decision in a vineyard in the snow of January when you know that the consequences will last months, years or even longer.
6pm Blizzard - only lasted a short time and it provided a small covering.
6pm Blizzard - only lasted a short time and it provided a small covering.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
January 26th, 2010
Day off to go shooting, last of the season.
Weather turning colder -2DegC at 6pm near Chackmore. The ice is catching people out. There is a black spot just north of Water Stratford. On the way to French club some one had run into the ditch heading south and on the way back some one was in the ditch on the other side of the road heading north. Two accidents on the same bend within an hour.
Football last night. Winning 3-0 to just before 1/2 time. I scored one of them. 3-4 Poor substitutions. Lost 3-5. Bad night!
Weather turning colder -2DegC at 6pm near Chackmore. The ice is catching people out. There is a black spot just north of Water Stratford. On the way to French club some one had run into the ditch heading south and on the way back some one was in the ditch on the other side of the road heading north. Two accidents on the same bend within an hour.
Football last night. Winning 3-0 to just before 1/2 time. I scored one of them. 3-4 Poor substitutions. Lost 3-5. Bad night!
January 25th, 2010
We have a dam buster!
Note to self - explain to Stephanie about the turning circle of a Landrover Defender.
Didn't expect it to last that long. However, it has served it's purpose as I now understand how the water moves down the road. Next step is to make something similar but stronger or something that does the same job.
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