Putting the bird netting up
The Blanc Dubois is going through veraison as well, but because they are white grapes, its hard to tell. They will turn golden yellow soon. Brix is 14 on the ripest berries.
Bird netting is up!
I learned last year to close the bottom of the nets tightly. Between the birds and the raccoons they will get in the smallest gaps.
Installed an Electric Fence and Bird Netting
In a last ditch attempt to save some grapes this year, I’ve installed a solar powered electric fence, bird netting and some owls. If the birds and/or raccoons still take the muscadines, I don’t know what else to do. The fence charger is a bit overkill, granted, but if a raccoon touches the fence I want them to feel it :-0. This one can protect the vineyard, orchard, garden and about another 23+ miles of fence!
Two strings of wire. One at 5-6inches above ground and the other at 12inches. I could put another at 18-20 if they are jumping over. I put out a couple of deer infrared cameras as well with hopes I catch some of the action!
I also used some old conduit to keep the netting off the muscadines.
And the last attempt to keep the birds at bay. 3 owls placed in various locations.
Only time will tell if any of this works!
Took a walk to clear my head then google some help!
I’m sure some of the grapes may have been taken by birds, but after looking around on the ground I see evidence of who took the majority of the grapes. Raccoons! All I did by putting on the netting, was give them a great way to climb up the vines (nets) and reach through to grab the grapes. Now that all the grapes are gone, the only thing left to protect are the muscadines. They are just beginning veraison. Looks like I need to come up with a way to protect against them. Quick searches show electric fences are a good deterrent. Here are some pics of the Muscadine that I plan to protect!
These are Black Beauty muscadine.
Nobel muscadine below.
I’ve been robbed! Maybe I’m not cut out for farming!!!
I cleaned my picking bins, and was ready to pick the Black Spanish grapes, but as I walked up I noticed something. ALL the grapes were gone! WTH! I put up the netting! Where did they go! I don’t see any feathers or other clues that thousands of birds must have had a feast at my expense.
Preventing the birds from getting these grapes
The birds got all the Lomanto grapes, so I’m going to put the bird nets on the Black Spanish.
The nets are on! They still might be able to get to some of them, but hopefully I can protect the majority. Tucked and pined nice and neatly on the bottom so they can’t get in that way.
Before and After
Lasterday Wines 
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