July 10, 2011

Most of our vines (725) were planted eight weeks ago.  The following week, Michael and I added about 35 vines.  Things are looking great -- see the photos below.  We even have labels on the rows to indicate what's planted there! 

Also, progress is rapidly being made in the "living quarters" of the pole shed.  This past Thursday, closed cell insulation was blown onto the walls (It is now hard as a rock and makes the room really sealed from bugs, mice, and noise, not to mention the heat or cold outside.)  The fluffy, pink kind of insulation (R-50) was blown in above the ceiling.  On Friday and Saturday, the whole space was sheetrocked.  This coming week the guy will be doing the taping and mudding.

Fertilizing the vineyard with the spreader

Closeup of the spreader

Michael attaching the new row markers

Interior of the living space prior to application of closed cell insulation

Close-up of the insulation

Adding insulation batts to interior walls of bathroom

Almost every vine is now outside its grow tube!

Happy vines

A view down rows 16 and 17 (Louise Swenson vines)



This one is past the wire!

Oh, yes...  I forgot to mention that lightning struck in the vineyard a few weeks ago.  Neighbors on two sides said they either saw or heard the bolt.  One rebar pole was struck.  Instead of the top edge being "cut," as it was originally, it is now "domed."  The wire broke at the rebar, and the hog ring is now welded to the rebar.  How's the vine, you ask?  Completely unharmed!

The hog ring and wire welded to the rebar--  Cool, huh?

Domed top of the piece of rebar that was struck by lightning

Connie and Hank tending the vegetable garden.



Close-up of a six-week old vine