New Maryland Vineyard

[Dennis Griffith]

a 6 foot slanted fence will keep them out. The slant causes them to be unsure on whether they can clear the fence safely.

 

[Dustyfj]

Deer whipped our butt this year. We will have to get a fence before next year. In the meantime, we took what was left. We forecasted about 80 lugs of grapes. We got 3.

Saved us from upgrading our press. Lots to do before next year…

 

[GSMChris]

I’m sorry to hear the outcome. Best of luck to you next season.

 

[ChuckD]

We forecasted about 80 lugs of grapes. We got 3.

that is crazy. And infuriating . Sounds like a fence is the right call.

I will be installing a 7 foot fence with woven wire on the bottom four feet to deter raccoons and turkeys. Then high tensile wire above that. I plan on putting offset bars on the top to hold an additional wire out away from the fence.

Better luck year.

 

[Dustyfj]

Getting after the rough pruning after our day jobs.

View attachment IMG_6372.jpeg

 

[VinesnBines]

I’m there too. I’ll give you a tip. Load those clippings in a trash can or even better a wagon or trailer. It saves a lot of picking up and hauling. Once the vines hit maturity, the pruning debris is phenomenal.

 

[GSMChris]

Yikes - what’s all that white stuff!!!!

I agree with Vinesnbines - collect those sticks as you go along. I use a large garbage can with a liner. Leave the liner behind every two rows and then collect them all at the end.

This year I am going to chip the sticks and add to a compost pile for next year.

 

[wood1954]

that is crazy. And infuriating . Sounds like a fence is the right call.

I will be installing a 7 foot fence with woven wire on the bottom four feet to deter raccoons and turkeys. Then high tensile wire above that. I plan on putting offset bars on the top to hold an additional wire out away from the fence.

Better luck year.

Are you going to have the fence up before flowering 2025? Deer love grape flowers.

 

[ChuckD]

Are you going to have the fence up before flowering 2025? Deer love grape flowers.

No. Last year they didn’t bother them… my dogs tour the vineyard every day,. Maybe the scent helps. I do have netting but didn’t plan on using it until the grapes are ripening.

 

[Dustyfj]

Are you going to have the fence up before flowering 2025? Deer love grape flowers.

The fence keeps getting delayed because the bottom of the field is a little saturated and sloppy. Fence should be up in the next couple weeks.

 

[Dustyfj]

I’m there too. I’ll give you a tip. Load those clippings in a trash can or even better a wagon or trailer. It saves a lot of picking up and hauling. Once the vines hit maturity, the pruning debris is phenomenal.

Last year I drug a tarp behind a golf cart and loaded it as I went. It felt like I had to keep stopping pruning to manage all the clippings. I’m trying to go as fast as possible and manage the piles later. I may get non-skilled help to collect the piles for me.

 

[ChuckD]

Is it common to prune so early? I was under the impression it was best to wait until just prior to bud swell?

 

[Dustyfj]

Is it common to prune so early? I was under the impression it was best to wait until just prior to bud swell?

I might be a little early. I’ve heard pruning before bud swell can delay bud break by a week and protect from frost.

We are getting after it early for scheduling reasons. Last year it took us three weeks of working on it every day. This year we have more plants. I’m thinking it could take 4-5 weeks if we stop when it’s rainy/cold.

I don’t think we will finish till mid/late March. Bud break for us is about the first week of April.

 

[ChuckD]

I might be a little early. I’ve heard pruning before bud swell can delay bud break by a week and protect from frost.

We are getting after it early for scheduling reasons. Last year it took us three weeks of working on it every day. This year we have more plants. I’m thinking it could take 4-5 weeks if we stop when it’s rainy/cold.

I don’t think we will finish till mid/late March. Bud break for us is about the first week of April.

That makes sense. You’re a good two months ahead of me, and my 88 vines will take a couple afternoons to prune. I prune late in hopes of delaying bud break. .

 

[VinesnBines]

I might be a little early. I’ve heard pruning before bud swell can delay bud break by a week and protect from frost.

We are getting after it early for scheduling reasons. Last year it took us three weeks of working on it every day. This year we have more plants. I’m thinking it could take 4-5 weeks if we stop when it’s rainy/cold.

I don’t think we will finish till mid/late March. Bud break for us is about the first week of April.

Ditto for me. Trying to get the late breaking varieties done. I have less time than usual so I’m on the ropes. I think I can still prune some after bud break. I need to research more!