Howdy all. First post, although I have been lurking for a while. Lots of great information on here, btw.
I have put together the following plan for a small 50' by 150' vineyard that I can hopefully expand in the future. I would like to know your thoughts, criticisms, and suggestions.
5 rows running N/S on a hill facing North to Northeast in south/central Iowa. N/S direction is the longer dimension. Hill has about a 9% grade
Growing Zone : 5A
GDD per year : about 3250
Frost free growing season : 162'ish
Typical minimum winter temp: -17 F
Soil qualities : Sandy loam, former pasture
PH : 6.15-6.40
Organic matter : 4.4% at 3", 2.5% at 9"
Phosphorus : ~ 7ppm : amended with 45 pounds of 0-46-0
Potassium : 257 at 3", 167 at 9"
Mg : 424 at 3", 522 at 9"
Rows : # vines, variety , spacing, trellis/training
Row 1 (aka the girly row): 9 Edelwiess, 8', GDC : 9 Brianna, 8' GDC
Row 2: 9 Marechal Foch, 8' TWC : 9 Marquette, 8' TWC
Row 3: 9 St Croix, 8' GDC : 9 Frontenac, GDC
Row 4: 9 LaCrescent, 8', undecided : 9 LaCrosse, 8' VSP
Row 5: 9 Petite Pearl, 8', GDC : 9 Frontenac Blanc, 8' GDC
Current plan is to space the rows 10' apart. A university extension horticulturist has recommended increasing to 11' to account for the GDC width. I should have room for that. He has also advised that I increase the spacing on rows 2 and 4 to 9' between vines (I think to deal with vigor). I am still tinkering with that idea to see how it fits.
Prepared soil by plowing, discing, and finally rototilling after applying recommended phosphorus in a highly scientific manner.
Ok. Let me have it. Does any of this sound like terrible?
H^2
