Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Spring, 2014: Late April: After a very dry early spring we finally got 3"+ of slow, gentle rain. The timing is good as the potatoes, onions, and both field and sweet corn are all planted. Last fall's winter wheat is up and looking good (the deer have finally stopped grazing on it as the rest of nature is now green too). The vineyard is pruned, the wires repaired and retensioned, and even the bottom row, "K," has been reclaimed and is now ready for serious production. We added drip irrigation lines to the driest corner of the vineyard. It is an experiment, and if it is successful, we will use this over about two thirds of the whole vineyard. Our soil is glacial till, and is a fascinating mix of clay, sand, and everything in between, quickly laid down by the last retreating glacier. Most soil lenses are small, a few quarts to a few cubic feet, but there are areas the drain a little too well for our drier years. The windbreaks are getting established and starting to do some real good. Most of the vineyard sat under significant snow cover all winter. Unfortunately, our local Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors has decided that since the tree sales do not "make a profit" they will be discontinued. I do not agree that a government agency is there to make a profit, my thinking is that we form agencies to perform functions that are difficult or impossible for individuals to perform. Profit is not an issue for our military, and it should not be for our Soil and Water Conservation District either. DId I say, "That's just dumb?" No? Good. I should be more patient, compassionate, and understanding than that. It was suggested the we utilize neighboring county's SWCD tree sales, and I will next year. We can't raise bees anymore as the nicitinoids used on the neighboring soybeans kills everything within miles, but on the up side, wild teals have nested along our waterway. Five pairs, the most we've ever seen. I hope there is enough food for them. Its turning out to be a good spring so far.