Soybeans at the end of June

The soybeans are coming on really well.  This is a picture taken on June 29, 2014

Which grapes are best to plant?

We are still trying to decide if it is better to plant the hardiest grapes, that are well suited to the area and will require the least pesticides, but may not make wines that are well known or popular. Or is it better to try to grow the popular vinifera and have to use more pesticides and have lower yields.

This is not a unique problem, but we are still learning and figuring this out.

Last week we attended a Maryland Grape Growers Association seminar on pest control  and pesticide management. It was held at Harvest Ridge Wineries in Marydel, Delaware.  It was a very interesting day, and included tasting wines that are being grown and tested by the Maryland Cooperative Extension.  We tasted several reds and whites and had to try to guess what grapes they were made from. This is quite challenging for us, but we certainly enjoyed the wines.  This seminar reinforced our sense that our farm is a very good spot for growing grapes, as it is on a plateau (the Piedmont Plateau) so elevated enough to allow for good air flow, it is not too wet or too dry and the soil seems to have the right composition for grapes.

Learning how to prune the vines to expose the grapes to enough sun, but not too much!

The Grape Growers Bible AKA Wine Grape Production Guide for Eastern North America

New vines planted with grow tubes

 

Yesterday we went out to the farm and were excited to see that the soy is growing.  Mike planted a few weeks ago, and the seedlings are coming up nicely.  Pat's vegetable garden is growing well.  She has cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, corn, watermelons, beans, etc. growing.  We have had a lot of rain in the last week, so there has been no problem with lack of water.

We met Jay, our renter, who told us that he has seen herds of deer, with around 30-40 deer in the herd, run through the fields.  He plans to hunt and said he would let us have some of the venison to make biltong.  We got the low down from Owen Kahn on how to best make biltong, and are excited to try this out.  We are also hoping to be able to use some homegrown, grass
fed, beef once Jay (the cattleman) gets going with the cattle on the farm.  He has been redoing the fencing, which is looking much better.  The heavy rains have delayed him some, but he is working on the steadily.  He is planning to have about 40 head of cattle on the farm.  The meadow is getting a bit overgrown, so there should be plenty for the cows to graze on.

So far we have seen red-winged blackbirds, gold finches, cardinals, chickadees on the farm.

Pat's Vegetable garden with the pond in the background

The Zucchini growing - with blossoms.

Thistles growing in the meadow

The soy growing in the fields

Another view of the Thistles, they are quite something!

A few weeks ago, when we were at the pond, Errol decided to try his luck at fishing.  He caught a bluegill, which he promptly threw back in, but was quite chuffed to have caught.  The pond is stocked with bluegill and wide mouth bass.  There are also turtles and frogs, and you can hear the frogs calling to each other.  We put up an Eastern Bluebird nesting box, and are hoping to have some babies in there soon.

We have really been enjoying spending time on the farm and watching the new growth.  The grass in the meadow is growing, the soybeans have been planted and are starting to grow, and the hay is being made while the sun shines.  We put up a bird box and are hoping to have a blue jay nest soon.

We recently enjoyed a picnic by the pond with Sally, Ivan, Dana and Joey.