Grape clusters are growing fast
We’ve had lots of rain this spring and the grapes are growing great. Check out the clusters of Black Spanish grapes. 
Cluster thinning time
Most shoots (laterals) now have 2-4 clusters. Usually only three, but sometimes up to 4 clusters. The standard thinning method is to leave only one cluster closest to the cordon, so you don’t over produce and near the top wire so the sun can get to it easier. Too much fruit on the vine will affect veraison (ripening/coloring). I recently read on the more vigorous vines, you can leave two clusters and still get the same quality of fruit. I’m going to try this on the Black Spanish vines and see how it goes.
Sad pinching off all the clusters, but it has to be done.
Time to add some Calcium Nitrate
Added first round of Calcium Nitrate.
Shoots are 8-10inches. Will pinch the extra clusters off soon. 
Little grape clusters starting to show up
Check out the grape clusters.
Peaches are coming along as well.
Grapevines are showing signs of life
The shoots are starting to emerge on the grapes vines. The muscadines are still sleeping, but the buds are starting to swell a bit.
This year I decided to try and propagate some new vines from the clippings. About 125 vines to try Lomanto, Black Spanish, and Blanc Dubois. We’ll see how it goes.
Pruning Lomanto and Black Spanish grape vines
The Lomanto and Black Spanish are going into their 3rd year. I will let each lateral from last year retain two buds this year for two new laterals. Factor in some basil buds forming laterals and we should have plenty of grapes. Haven’t decided on how many clusters to keep on each lateral. So much debate on how many to keep. Usually only one per lateral, but some studies have shown some vines can handle two clusters and still ripen on time and not over produce. Pictures below show the before and after of the pruning.
After
Check out the pile of vines behind Dakota from all the vines we pruned this year. I did save 200 for propagation of new vines and made a couple of wreaths. I’ll post more on propagation later.
Pruning Blanc Du Bois grape vines
Pruned the Blanc Du Bois. Planted them last year. They grew very well last year as you can see from the vines. 
Here’s the after picture from one vine. Still have another 30 to go.
Pruning the oldest muscadine vines
That time of the year again when we start our pruning. These are the oldest vines of the farm. They were a mess when we purchased the farm with years of neglect. After cutting them way back and two years of training, they should do well this year. Here is a before and after shot of the vines.
Last year I had some dieback on some of the younger vines. After some research it appears I mades some mistakes last year with my pruning. First mistake, always dip the pruning sheers in 10:1 water/clorox solution (10 oz of water 1 oz of clorox) between each vine you prune. This will help prevent passing issues from one vine to the next. Second, spray or paint on Topsin after you prune the vines.
Nobel muscadine picking day has arrived!
We’ve made it to picking day! The electric fence modifications worked and kept the raccoons out.
Wild muscadines have high acid. The Nobel is a domesticated variant with less acid, but really depends on soil conditions, and when you pick. I held off picking until conditions were right. 1) some of the grapes started looking like raisins and the berries skin starting to look dull and soft. 2) the seeds have darkened. 3) taste is very sweet. 4) sugar level is 15 or greater brix. I brought my two grape testers with me. #1Dakota my 8yr old son and #2 refractometer. Here’s Koda doing his taste test.
Noble muscadine has a nice cluster not individual berries like other types of muscadine vines. These look really good this year.
I taught Koda how to use the refractometer to test the sugar level. He checked several berries on various clusters. The brix was 15-17. We were only able to pick 65lbs this year. Not bad on these third year vines and after all the fruit the raccoons took. Next year should be a much better year.
Electric fence revisited
This is what I’m trying to protect this year. Nobel and Black Beauty Muscadine remain. Plus I want to figure it out this year because next year I will have a much larger crop.
I’ve added another wire and more post to make sure the distance between the wires are closer no gaps. First wire is 3″ from the ground. Second wire is about 4-5″ above that. Third wire 4-5″ above the second and the top wire is about the same 4-5″ above the third. I’m hoping this stops them.
Before and After
Lasterday Wines 
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