Hello,
This is the climate update for the
month of May 2009.
We have recorded about 199 degree
days from April 1 through May 31. This is nestled nicely between the 206 degree
days recorded during the same period in 2008 and 2007's read of 194 degree days.
That being said, bud break for the three years varies widely.
During May, our highest high was
92.50 and our lowest high was 88.00. Our lowest low was 35.70 and our highest
low was 36.40 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainfall for May was significant at 4.24
inches and was about 4.01 inches greater than last May’s rainfall of 0.23
inches. Year-to-date rainfall is 18.96 inches compared to last year's 17.23
inches.
We began Bud Break in the Pinot
Noir on April 22nd this year, which is about 2 weeks ahead of 2008's date of May
5th. We observed the 2007 Pinot Noir break bud on Thursday, April 5 which,
agriculturally speaking, is “nearly exactly” two weeks ahead of the 2006 Pinot
Noir bud break of April 19. The 2005 Pinot Noir bud break was March 15.
The vineyard floor is weed-free,
as I have now considered any plants in the vine row that are still alive to be
"Cover Crop." That was easy. Last fall I established a permanent cover crop in
alternate rows. The remaining rows have a cover crop blend of vetch and
buckwheat or barley and vetch - depending on where I ran out, I mean where I
changed the blend for cover crop trials.
We are spraying liquid sulfur this
Spring. It is about the same cost as the increased price in micronized sulfur,
and easier. One of the 2.5 gallon jugs is exactly what I need in my 250 gallon
sprayer. As I age, I seem to be gravitating toward easy. I will have to get this
looked after.
No signs of Powdery Mildew or
Botrytis, and all seems healthy and green. The only exception is our Chardonnay
which seems to have been the victim of early May herbicide spray drift or
volatization. Another reminder to chat with the neighbors and the local farm
stores each and every Spring without exception, about how evil this Crossbow
product really is.
Although we do not have any mite
damage that I can find, I am seeing pronounced apical dominance in some blocks.
This is disturbing for several reasons, not least of which is that the less
vigorous shoots are not up to the first set of catch wires when the end shoots
are past the second set. Nonetheless, the first set of wires are up and clipped
into place. Due to the uneven shoot growth, I have opted to remove suckers early
this year, and will bear the consequences after fruit set.
Ernie
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