Update and Planting June 2nd 2012

This has been a very interesting and challenging Spring for us. Due to unusual warmth in Feb and March, the vines “woke up” way too soon, followed by 3 nights of 22-25 degrees F in late April. This was not good, as we may have lost all of our 450 of our 2011 plantings, and about 5% of our more mature 2007 – 2009 vines.

Furthermore there is extensive frost damage to the remaining vines. We sent off soil samples for chemical analysis, to see if there is a nutrient problem. We should not have trimmed in March, as this can promote early budding. We will, however, have a good crop of 4000  - 5000 pounds this Fall ( last years was 2290 pounds), as almost all of our buds have fruiting clusters, which is also odd. Such is the norm in the world of farming and vineyards. We are not discouraged, but just more determined!

We will be planting 250 Prairie Star vines on Sat, June 2 , starting at noon, and we should be done by 3 – 4 pm… Lunch/dinner afterwards, with yard games for anyone disposed to that fun.

If you’d like to join for this good time, with fun and friendly people, helping 3 great charities, email me at : jamesalee3@gmail.com, or leave me a message at 763-354-0880, and We will fill you in with directions/details.