A few days after pruning my grapevines, Kathy and I went to the experimental vineyard at Tin Lizzie Wineworks in Clarksville, Maryland and helped to prune those vines. The vines were planted late spring of 2010. We used blue grow tubes to protect the tender vines. Throughout the growing season, the local deer population kept the vines pruned at the top of the grow tubes. Rob Pearre, vineyard manager, demonstrated how he wanted the vines pruned. He told us to cut off any branches below the graft. We also reduced the number of branches above the graft to one and pruned it just above the first bud. Rob wants just one branch to grow from the graft. Next month he plans to install deer fencing.
While pruning, a herd of deer bounced across the farm. Thirteen deer stopped and in unison watched the few vineyard workers. It seemed that they were concerned that we were in their vineyard. After a while they glided away into the woods leaving no wonder that they planned to return when we weren’t looking. The grow tubes will protect the vines and the vineyard will have further protection once the fence is installed.
In all, Kathy and I worked on over 80 vines in the couple hours we spent in the vineyard. The weather was perfect, sunny and in the upper fifties with just a gentle breeze. We had to repair or replace a few stakes and tie the grow tubes to the bottom of the stakes so they wouldn’t blow off. We are thankful for a small vineyard here in Howard County where we can volunteer and work. It is peaceful and a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning. I’m beginning to become anxious to see the vineyard grow. So are the deer.
Cheers,
Terry
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