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Postmaster Will.

8/15/2010

5 Comments

 
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Our main focus the past couple weeks has been to GET THE TRELLIS UP! We've been pounding posts, nailing, splicing, stretching and tying...

The Training System

Of the many options there are for a training system for the grape vines, we decided to use what's called "high bi-lateral cordon", or "high wire" for all of our cultivars.
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Vine trained to multiple shoots to maximize leaf area.
The most common issue that we have seen in midwest vineyards has been overly vigorous growth, (multiple leaf layers) causing excessive shading in the canopy. This increases the potential of disease, decreased fruit quality---fruit shaded by leaves/not exposed to sun will affect the clusters ability to ripen appropriately, decreased fruitfulness for following years, and reduced ability for vines to harden off before the first frost.

Most of the cultivars we have chosen to grown have a natural tendency to grow downward (procumbant). Downward growth is known to devigorate the vines. The "high wire" training/trellis will allow for downward growth with the fruiting zone near the top wire.

Our first year of growth we have been focusing on maximizing leaf area for increased root system. For that reason we have kept multiple shoots growing, vs. choosing one shoot to grow for the future trunk. When it comes time to prune in late winter/early spring of year 2, we will prune to two shoots/trunks. We will then focus on establishing the cordon.

The Trellis

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The past weekend we accomplished our goal of finishing the trellis for the "Knoll", furthest southwest area of the vineyard. This was quite a relief as they had outgrown their bamboo canes and needed something else to hang on to.
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Will putting a 5'x10' post into position to pound.
We continued our 8'x10' spacing, (8 feet between vines, and 10 feet between rows). We used 4"x8' posts every 24 feet, each pounded 2 feet, 4 inches deep. There are three vines between each pair of posts. The H-brace was our choice for the end assembly. The end post is a 5"x10' post pounded 4 feet deep.
There were a few 5"x10' posts that hit a few rocks on the way down... Bring out the auger!
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We nailed our wires at 36" and the top wire at 62".
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Next step was to tie up our shoots.
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Rain delay! Always looking for an excuse to go to DQ.
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The "Knoll" finished... What's next??
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Why more of this of course... ;o) Our current goal is to finish pounding the posts for the "Middle Place", this contains our Marqette, La Crescent, Brianna, and Frontenac vines.
Will laying out the posts.
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The fun that lies ahead---you might be able to see the posts laying across the rows ready to be pounded... It is actually pretty amazing to see the dramatic change in the landscape with the posts in the ground---really starting to look like a vineyard now!
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5 Comments
pat
8/15/2010 04:07:16 am

Ashley,I love the way you get to relax in between post holes!!!!!

Reply
Carla Kohlwes
8/15/2010 07:06:42 am

You two make a great team. Looks like lots of hard work, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. It does look more like a vineyard now. Thanks for sharing the video with us of your hard work up close and personal. Quite a system you have there.

Reply
Donna Kimberley
8/16/2010 12:30:19 pm

We think you are doing a great job!!! It is really interesting and beautiful! Tom says save some work for us! Love, Mom and Dad

Reply
jackie schowengerdt
8/26/2010 01:18:52 pm

What beautiful pictures! You are doing a great job letting us see into your amazing dream!!! The vines are so pretty and amazing how tall they are. We are going to have to come see you soon. Love to both of you! I am so proud of you two!

Reply
Galen Haddock
8/26/2010 10:45:18 pm

Nice to talk with you Will. I can see you have your plate full. I wish you the best. Talk to you soon. Galen Ladoga Ridge Vineyard and Winery.

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Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery Inc. 2368 Able Blvd. Inwood, IA 51240 712.753.2110 info@calicoskieswine.com