Fertilizing new and older plants
Much discussion out there about if/when to fertilize grapevines. Much easier to find info on Muscadine vines. Last year, I put more fertilizer on the muscadines than I did on the grapes. I only put one application on the Lomanto and they struggled later in the year. The Black Spanish did pretty good with one application. I also had some Muscadine die back this spring as I did not make all applications. So I decided to treat both grapes and muscadine the same this year. Below is what I plan to adhere to:
On April 1st, May 1st, June 1st, July 1st
1st year rate of 4 oz of 10-10-10 per plant 12 inches from plant in circle, work into soil
2nd year rate of 8 oz of 10-10-10 per plant 12 inches from plant in circle, work into soil
On
April 15th, May 15th, June 15th, and July 15th
1st Year rate of 4 oz of 34-0-0 (Calcium Nitrate) or 2oz (Ammonia Nitrate) per plant 12 inches from plant in circle, work into soil
2nd Year rate of 8 oz of 34-0-0 (Calcium Nitrate) or 4oz (Ammonia Nitrate) per plant 12 inches from plant in circle, work into soil
3rd Year Use 3 lbs of 10-10-10 on May 1st
4th Year Fertilize as needed depending on growth of your vines
Alabama soils can be low in magnesium, foliar magnesium deficiency frequently becomes noticeable in mid-summer. You can spot this deficiency by the yellowing between the leaf veins on the older grape leaves. If the soil pH is low enough to need lime, use dolomitic lime to help prevent magnesium deficiencies.
You can also use magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) to counter the magnesium deficiency. Young plants should get 2 ounces applied around each vine, keeping the salts 6 or more inches away from the trunk. Apply 4 to 8 ounces per mature, bearing vine. It may require 2 to 3 years of magnesium application to bring the level up for best plant performance.
Reference source: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0012/ANR-0012.pdf
Bud Break in the Vineyard
This is probably one of the most exciting dates in the vineyard especially after you just planted a few hundred dollars in new plants. This is the first sign that all that hard work will pay off with new growth.
These are second year Lomanto and Black Spanish vines.
and these are the new Blanc Dubois vines. So far it looks like all new plants are coming out of dormancy.
When Chickens Attack!
My son may someday hate me for sharing this, but this is funny. My daughter Syd so set him up. I did not know he can could run that fast. And no the chicken wasn’t really trying to attack him. They are pets and will jump in your lap. It really just wanted to be close to him. They follow us around like puppies. Koda is just a little scared of them… Let me know what you think?
Pumpkins are getting big
I’m guessing 30-40 lb. and its only July.
Japanese beetles are attacking
Well, I leaned a valuable lesson today. I found beetles on my grapevines last week, so I picked up some beetle bags with attractant. It works great, just don’t put near your grapevines. I had bags on each end of the rows and the vines closest to bag were covered with jap beetle and the vines in the middle had few. Note to self: put bags far away from vines next year. Checkout the bag of beetles. I mean what do you do with these things? Also, after a few days of decaying beetles, those bags stink it up pretty good.
Picked all my berries and peaches today
It was time to pick the first year of blueberries and peaches. This is the whole crop. Not bad for first year I guess.
First watermelon
It looked big and ready, but it wasn’t. Leaned that you need to look at the tendril closest to the melon. It needs to look dried up and like a pigs tail. Also the bottom on the melon should look a little yellow not white as mine did. It was okay, just not near as sweet as it should be.
Corn is ready
Grew Peaches and Cream Corn this year. They are ready to eat. Koda loves looking for the caterpillars. Could careless about the corn. Most of the corn had a least one cat, but only really eating the top of corn with the silk. Put corn on grill. Was very good.
Vegetables are growing, so are the weeds
Cumber, watermelon, corn, and pumpkins are all doing well. I did plant pumpkins way too soon. They will be ready in Sept. Oh well live and learn.
Garden is growing
I spend most of time out of town so the weeds are starting to take over. Not much I can do, no time to weed.
Before and After
Lasterday Wines 
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